X Factor Italy responds to assault claims about judge

From Digital Spy

The following article contains allegations of sexual misconduct and child abuse that some readers may find distressing.

The X Factor Italy is responding to sexual misconduct allegations made against its newest judge, the singer and actress Asia Argento.

Argento has been on the frontlines of the #MeToo movement, and was among the most high-profile women to accuse Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein of sexual assault.

On Sunday (August 19), The New York Times published a report claiming that Argento reached a financial settlement with her former co-star, one-time child actor Jimmy Bennett, over his allegations that she sexually assaulted him in 2013.

Argento had worked with Bennett when he was seven years old in the film The Heart Is Deceitful Above All Things, in which he played her abused son. The alleged real-life abuse occurred several years later.

Bennett would have been 17 years old at the time of the assault, which also made him one year under the age of consent in California - where the assault is alleged to have taken place. The Times reports that Argento paid Bennett $380,000 as a settlement reached by her late partner Anthony Bourdain's attorney.

This financial agreement was reached shortly after Argento went public with her accusations about Weinstein last autumn. Her partner Bourdain passed away several months later in June 2018.

Argento had been working on Italy's version of The X Factor since Bourdain's death, with the show expected to premiere on Sky Uno in the country on September 6.

However, Sky Italia and FremantleMedia Italia released a joint statement on Monday (August 20) addressing the accusations that have come to light since the prior evening.

A spokesperson told The Hollywood Reporter: "It should be made clear that Sky Italia and Fremantle did not pick Asia Argento as a judge of X Factor Italy for her commitment to the #Metoo campaign, nor for her personal stances, but rather – as it has always been the case when it came to choose the judges of X Factor Italy – for her musical skills and ability to manage a television role in a show like this.

"Skills and abilities widely proven during the show auditions, recorded in recent weeks, as the large audience attending them could easily confirm.

"That said, we want to be very clear: if the allegations reported by the New York Times today were to be confirmed, the issue would be absolutely inconsistent with Sky's ethical principles and values and therefore – in full agreement with FremantleMedia – we would have no choice but to take note of it and put an end to the collaboration with Asia Argento."

Argento's friend and fellow #MeToo campaigner Rose McGowan also distanced herself from the actress, tweeting: "I got to know Asia Argento ten months ago. Our commonality is the shared pain of being assaulted by Harvey Weinstein. My heart is broken. I will continue my work on behalf of victims everywhere.

"None of us know the truth of the situation and I'm sure more will be revealed. Be gentle."

Digital Spy has reached out to Argento's representatives for a response.

Rape Crisis England and Wales works towards the elimination of sexual violence. If you've been affected by the issues raised in this story, you can access more information on their website or by calling the National Rape Crisis Helpline on 0808 802 9999. Rape Crisis Scotland's helpline number is 08088 01 03 02.

Readers in the US are encouraged to contact RAINN, or the National Sexual Assault Hotline on 800-656-4673.

Readers who are affected by the issues raised in this story are encouraged to contact the NSPCC on 0808 800 5000 (www.nspcc.org.uk). Readers in the US are encouraged to contact the Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline on (1-800-422-4453) or the American SPCC (www.americanspcc.org).

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