" I ca n’t accept the depicting of me as someone bigoted , or criminally negligent of the great unwashed ’s safety . "
Warning: This article contains mentions of sexual assault and sexual misconduct.
Percy Hynes Whiteis finally breaking his silence after sexual assault allegations against him went viral in January.
The 21-year-old actor is known for playing Xavier Thorpe in the Netflix seriesWednesday,but these accusations overshadowed his appearance in the hit show.
Earlier this year, the #cancelpercy movement started on Twitter, where a series of accusations claiming he was responsible for sexual misconduct surfaced online.
In a statement on his Instagram story,The Giftedalum responded to the allegations and defended his family and friends. “Hey everyone. There’s something I need to clarify;” he started. “Earlier this year, somebody I’ve never met started a campaign of misinformation about me online. Because of this, my family has been doxxed, and my friends have received death threats.”
“Underage photos of me were used, and examples of me acting in character were presented as hateful. My friend Jane was falsely portrayed as a victim, and her attempts to set the record straight have been ignored. She gave me permission to include her in this message,” Percy continued.
Percy directly addressed the validity of the allegations, writing, “The rumors are false. I can’t accept the portrayal of me as someone bigoted, or criminally negligent of people’s safety. These are the kind of baseless, harmful claims that can create mistrust toward victims.”
And he finished his statement by acknowledging his family and friends, and thanking his fans for supporting him. “It’s very distressing to know that this misinformation has upset people. I’m really thankful for everyone who’s stood by me and helped share the facts. Harassment of my family, friends and coworkers needs to stop please. Thank you for taking the time to read this.”
You can read the full statement here:
If you or someone you know has experienced sexual assault, you can call theNational Sexual Assault Hotlineat 1-800-656-HOPE, which routes the caller to their nearest sexual assault service provider. You can also search for your local centerhere.
