Asia Argento Dropped from 'X Factor Italy' After Sexual Misconduct Allegations

BY Calum SlingerlandPublished Aug 27, 2018

Asia Argento has been dropped as a judge on X Factor Italy in the wake of sexual abuse allegations made against her by a former child actor earlier this month.

Sources have confirmed Argento's firing to The Hollywood Reporter, following initial reports of her removal from Italian newspapers over the weekend.

Argento will appear in the first seven episodes of the season, beginning September 6. The live portion of the show will feature a new judge and the main cast from October 25 onward.

A new judge to replace Argento will be announced September 5 with a press conference in Milan.

Last week, Argento was alleged to have paid paid to $380,000 USD to Jimmy Bennett, who claimed Argento had sexually assaulted him in a California hotel room when he was 17 and she was 37 in 2013. The age of consent in the state is 18.

In a statement, Argento called the allegations "absolutely false," denying that she had engaged in a sexual relationship with Bennett, while adding that her late boyfriend Anthony Bourdain paid the $380,000 USD settlement.

The Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department has since said it will investigate Argento over the allegations.

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