Brendan Fraser delivered an stunning performance as the star of Darren Aronofsky's psychological drama The Whale, and ahead of the film's wider release next month, its leading man has shared he will not attend the Golden Globes ceremony in January should he be nominated.
The revelation comes via a new GQ profile in which Fraser is asked if he would attend the Golden Globes if invited.
"I have more history with the Hollywood Foreign Press Association [HFPA] than I have respect for the Hollywood Foreign Press Association," Fraser answered of the organization behind the Golden Globes. "No, I will not participate."
His reasoning? "It's because of the history that I have with them. And my mother didn't raise a hypocrite," Fraser continued. "You can call me a lot of things, but not that."
Speaking with GQ in 2018, Fraser alleged that Philip Berk, a former president and member of the Hollywood Foreign Press Association, sexually abused him in 2003.
Following Fraser's 2018 accusation, the HFPA released a statement that reads, in part, that the organization "stands firmly against sexual harassment and the type of behaviour described in [GQ's] article."
The HFPA also opened an inquiry into the matter, which GQ reports involved Fraser speaking with an independent investigator. The publication notes that the investigation ended with the HFPA returning to Fraser, proposing he sign a joint statement that, according to the actor, would read: "Although it was concluded that Mr. Berk inappropriately touched Mr. Fraser, the evidence supports that it was intended to be taken as a joke and not as a sexual advance."
The actor refused to sign, and Berk remained a voting member of the HFPA until 2021, when he was expelled for sharing an article describing Black Lives Matter as a "racist hate movement" in an email to fellow HFPA members.
Fraser tells GQ that at the time of their interview, the HFPA still had never apologized. The organization disputed this claim, saying they had apologized twice. While Berk has acknowledged writing a letter to Fraser about his behaviour, the ex-HFPA told GQ in 2018 that the apology admitted "no wrongdoing... the usual 'If I've done anything that upset Mr. Fraser, it was not intended and I apologize.'"
Should the HFPA look to make amends, Fraser says, "According to rules of engagement, it would be my responsibility to take a look at it and make a determination at that time, if that became the situation. And it would have to be, I don't know, what's the word I'm looking for … sincere? I would want some gesture of making medicine out of poison somehow. I don't know what that is. But that would be my hope. But it's not about me."
Following its early festival acclaim, The Whale arrives in theatres on December 9. Read Exclaim!'s review of the film, ahead of revisiting its trailer.
The revelation comes via a new GQ profile in which Fraser is asked if he would attend the Golden Globes if invited.
"I have more history with the Hollywood Foreign Press Association [HFPA] than I have respect for the Hollywood Foreign Press Association," Fraser answered of the organization behind the Golden Globes. "No, I will not participate."
His reasoning? "It's because of the history that I have with them. And my mother didn't raise a hypocrite," Fraser continued. "You can call me a lot of things, but not that."
Speaking with GQ in 2018, Fraser alleged that Philip Berk, a former president and member of the Hollywood Foreign Press Association, sexually abused him in 2003.
Following Fraser's 2018 accusation, the HFPA released a statement that reads, in part, that the organization "stands firmly against sexual harassment and the type of behaviour described in [GQ's] article."
The HFPA also opened an inquiry into the matter, which GQ reports involved Fraser speaking with an independent investigator. The publication notes that the investigation ended with the HFPA returning to Fraser, proposing he sign a joint statement that, according to the actor, would read: "Although it was concluded that Mr. Berk inappropriately touched Mr. Fraser, the evidence supports that it was intended to be taken as a joke and not as a sexual advance."
The actor refused to sign, and Berk remained a voting member of the HFPA until 2021, when he was expelled for sharing an article describing Black Lives Matter as a "racist hate movement" in an email to fellow HFPA members.
Fraser tells GQ that at the time of their interview, the HFPA still had never apologized. The organization disputed this claim, saying they had apologized twice. While Berk has acknowledged writing a letter to Fraser about his behaviour, the ex-HFPA told GQ in 2018 that the apology admitted "no wrongdoing... the usual 'If I've done anything that upset Mr. Fraser, it was not intended and I apologize.'"
Should the HFPA look to make amends, Fraser says, "According to rules of engagement, it would be my responsibility to take a look at it and make a determination at that time, if that became the situation. And it would have to be, I don't know, what's the word I'm looking for … sincere? I would want some gesture of making medicine out of poison somehow. I don't know what that is. But that would be my hope. But it's not about me."
Following its early festival acclaim, The Whale arrives in theatres on December 9. Read Exclaim!'s review of the film, ahead of revisiting its trailer.
