Actress Hilarie Burton may be best known for her role as Peyton Sawyer on One Tree Hill, but she got her show business start as a host on MTV's Total Request Live in the early 2000s. Now, in the wake of the bombshell allegations against Harvey Weinstein and an industry-wide discussion about sexual harassment, she's speaking out about an incident involving Ben Affleck on the set of the MTV show.
In a Twitter thread chastising Affleck's comments about Weinstein, one user pointed out that Affleck himself had grabbed Burton's breasts on TRL back in 2003, but "everyone forgot though." Burton responded, stating, "I didn't forget."
Burton went on to address the incident, tweeting, "I was a kid."
She also linked to an opening clip from the behind-the-scenes special TRL Uncensored. In it, she appears on camera, recounting: "he comes over and tweaks my left boob."
Shortly after, Affleck and Burton appear together during an on-camera interview in which Affleck asks, "How old are you, 19?" She was 21 at the time.
Burton prefaced the video link with a message for the survivors speaking up about their sexual assaults. "Girls. I'm so impressed with you brave ones," she wrote. "I had to laugh back then so I wouldn't cry. Sending love."
UPDATE (10/11, 1:30 p.m. EDT): Affleck has issued an apology to Burton via Twitter, admitting that he "acted inappropriately." See his apology below.
Earlier this week, Affleck was met with criticism for his public response to the allegations against Weinstein. In a statement yesterday (October 10), he said he was "saddened and angry" by the producer's actions and claimed, "We must support those who come forward, condemn this type of behavior when we see it and help ensure there are more women in positions of power."
His post was instantly shot down by actress Rose McGowan, who accused Affleck of enabling Weinstein's abusive behaviour.
Others were quick to remind Affleck that his brother Casey Affleck has been plagued by sexual harassment accusations of his own.
In a Twitter thread chastising Affleck's comments about Weinstein, one user pointed out that Affleck himself had grabbed Burton's breasts on TRL back in 2003, but "everyone forgot though." Burton responded, stating, "I didn't forget."
I didn't forget.
— Hilarie Burton (@HilarieBurton) October 10, 2017
Burton went on to address the incident, tweeting, "I was a kid."
Seriously, thank you for that. I was a kid.
— Hilarie Burton (@HilarieBurton) October 11, 2017
She also linked to an opening clip from the behind-the-scenes special TRL Uncensored. In it, she appears on camera, recounting: "he comes over and tweaks my left boob."
Shortly after, Affleck and Burton appear together during an on-camera interview in which Affleck asks, "How old are you, 19?" She was 21 at the time.
Burton prefaced the video link with a message for the survivors speaking up about their sexual assaults. "Girls. I'm so impressed with you brave ones," she wrote. "I had to laugh back then so I wouldn't cry. Sending love."
https://t.co/wh2MpJVQzl
— Hilarie Burton (@HilarieBurton) October 11, 2017
Girls. I'm so impressed with you brave ones. I had to laugh back then so I wouldn't cry. Sending love.
UPDATE (10/11, 1:30 p.m. EDT): Affleck has issued an apology to Burton via Twitter, admitting that he "acted inappropriately." See his apology below.
I acted inappropriately toward Ms. Burton and I sincerely apologize
— Ben Affleck (@BenAffleck) October 11, 2017
Earlier this week, Affleck was met with criticism for his public response to the allegations against Weinstein. In a statement yesterday (October 10), he said he was "saddened and angry" by the producer's actions and claimed, "We must support those who come forward, condemn this type of behavior when we see it and help ensure there are more women in positions of power."
— Ben Affleck (@BenAffleck) October 10, 2017
His post was instantly shot down by actress Rose McGowan, who accused Affleck of enabling Weinstein's abusive behaviour.
Ben Affleck fuck off
— rose mcgowan (@rosemcgowan) October 10, 2017
@benaffleck "GODDAMNIT! I TOLD HIM TO STOP DOING THAT" you said that to my face. The press conf I was made to go to after assault. You lie.
— rose mcgowan (@rosemcgowan) October 10, 2017
Others were quick to remind Affleck that his brother Casey Affleck has been plagued by sexual harassment accusations of his own.
You had no problem campaigning for Casey Affleck's Academy Award, though.
— Jon (@prasejeebus) October 10, 2017
Dude. Google your brother.
— Dan Telfer (@dantelfer) October 10, 2017
