Ashley Judd Files a Suit against Harvey Weinstein for Smearing Her Name, as She Didn't Accept His Sexual Advances

Ashley Judd has sued Mr. Harvey Weinstein on Monday claiming that he damaged her career by spreading lies about her in Hollywood as a punishment for rejecting his sexual advances. The lawsuit states that Mr. Weinstein was taking revenge on Ms. Judd for refusing to engage in sexual activity. A year before the incident took place, Ms. Judd was supposed to feature in the ‘Lord of the Rings’ trilogy.

Such cases are complicated and difficult to win. In lawsuits dealing with powerful men labeling actresses as ‘difficult’, it becomes a gigantic task to prove such conversations took place. To prove that someone has caused harm to a person’s career is next to impossible. However, Ms. Judd is taking the help of an A-list director, Peter Jackson who is ready to testify saying that he decided not to cast her because of the false information provided by Mr. Weinstein. Jackson spoke about Weinstein's comments in an interview back in December 2017, with the New Zealand news website-Stuff, months after Weinstein’s scandal came out in the open.

"I recall Miramax telling us they were a nightmare to work with and we should avoid them at all costs. This was probably in 1998," Jackson told the news website, referring to Judd and Mira Sorvino.

Judd and Sorvino were the first women to come forward with sexual harassment allegations against Weinstein late last year. Weinstein refuted the allegations at the time.

A statement issued at that time read, "Mr. Weinstein has nothing but the utmost respect for Peter Jackson. However, as Mr. Jackson will probably remember, because Disney would not finance the 'Lord of the Rings,' Miramax lost the project and all casting was done by New Line,"

Ms. Judd did not know that something was stopping her from getting good roles which was harming her career prospects. This had been happening for the past ten years. After Mr. Jackson’s claims, Judd and Sorvino realized who had damaged their career and caused them financial harm in the bargain. Judd met up with Jackson and Walsh sometime in 1998 to discuss two different roles for the film, but later she did not hear from them as they dropped the idea to cast her. Peter Jackson wanted to cast Ms. Judd in a prominent role in 'The Lord of the Rings' which was released in 2001, however, on being told by Mr. Weinstein that Judd was a “nightmare” and should be avoided “at all costs”, Mr. Jackson decided not to cast her. Mr. Weinstein’s negative words had a ripple effect on Ms. Judd’s career.

The suit was filed in Los Angeles Superior court. If successful, the lawsuit could set a precedent for those in non-traditional business relationships. Ms. Judd claims that she had a business relationship with Mr. Weinstein as she had been cast in one of his films called “Smoke” which was a comedic drama. She had been called to his room to discuss a few more roles which were in his hands.

Through a spokesperson, Weinstein has denied "any allegations of non-consensual sex."

A representative for Weinstein also denied the allegations that he defamed Judd's name.

A statement from Weinstein's attorney, obtained by CNN states, "The most basic investigation of the facts will reveal that Mr. Weinstein neither defamed Ms. Judd nor ever interfered with Ms. Judd's career, and instead not only championed her work but also repeatedly approved her casting for two of his movies over the next decade".

The statement also claims Weinstein "fought for Ms. Judd as his first choice for the lead role in 'Good Will Hunting' and, had arranged for Ms. Judd to fly to New York to be considered for the role."

Judd filed the suit because Mr. Weinstein destroyed her prospects to work for something that became a multibillion-dollar franchise with 17 Academy Award wins. He also made sure that Ms. Judd will not be able to work with Mr. Jackson and Ms. Walsh in the future.

Ms. Judd’s suit states, "No person -- in whatever job, in whatever industry -- should have to forfeit professional aspirations and the right to earn a living to the abusive whims of the powerful". The suit also states "Ms. Judd brings this complaint to vindicate that principle, and to right the wrongs that Weinstein committed against her, among so many others."