The agenda has changed for red carpet news hosts, gone are the questions of ‘who are you wearing?’ and ‘who are you most excited to meet?’. Now, celebrities are subject to much more uncomfortable questions, at least women who are marginally related to alleged sexual predators are.
At last night’s SAG awards, Alison Brie, was asked by E! News present Giuliana Rancic what her thoughts were on the sexual misconduct allegations against her brother-in-law, James Franco. She responded:
‘What we’ve always said is that it remains vital that anyone who feels victimized should and does have the right to speak out and come forward.
‘I obviously support my family and not everything that’s been reported is fully accurate, so I think we’re waiting to get all the information. But, of course, now is a time for listening and that’s what we’re all trying to do.’
Her poised response has been both commended and criticized on social media, with some complimenting her emphasis on supporting victims while others concerned with her reference to the accuracy of the claims.
However, by and large the criticism has been directed towards E! News, who were famously called out at the Golden Globes for paying their female hosts less than their male counterparts, for putting her on the spot with an inappropriate question – not doing the same for James’ brother Dave Franco – when she was there to celebrate her personal achievements. Alison was nominated for two awards, Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Comedy Series and Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series for her role in GLOW.
We don’t doubt she was well-prepared for a question like this, given that James Franco chose not to walk the carpet himself, however to put her in this position seems wholly unfair given that other actors weren’t asked similarly uncomfortable questions (notably Timothee Chalamet for his work with Woody Allen- Giuliana just asked him about the pronunciation of his name).
James Franco has been accused of sexually exploitative behavior by five different women, four of whom were his students. He addressed the allegations himself on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert:
He was also called about by Scarlett Johansson at the Women’s March in Los Angeles on Saturday:
‘How could a person publicly stand by an organization that helps to provide support for victims of sexual assault, while privately preying on people who have no power?’
Adding: ‘I want my pin back, by the way.
It seems we can only take Alison's advice and wait for more information to understand the full extent of the allegations.
Click through to see everyone who wore black to the Golden Globes...
Golden Globes 2018 - Grazia
Angelina Jolie
Attending with her son Maddox, Angelina Jolie chose a floaty sheer dress with voluminous feather-trimmed sleeves.
Alicia Vikander
Alicia Vikander showed off her innate style in a high neck dress with keyhole cut-out back and embellishment detail.
Michelle Williams and MeToo founder Tarana Burke
A Louis Vuitton clad-Michelle Williams was noticeably moved to be with #MeToo founder Tarana, saying: 'We're here because of Tarana, she started a movement, and it caught fire.' 'It's deeply humbling,' Tarana added, 'This is something I started out of necessity… this moment is so powerful.'
Emma Stone and Billie Jean King
Emma Stone decided to invite Billie Jean King as her date to the Globes, the tennis pro and pioneer who she played in Battle of the Sexes. Stone looked typically fashion-forward in a lace, one-shouldered dress.
Dakota Johnson
Dakota Johnson, who is a presenter at tonight's awards, wore a Gucci gown (what else!) with a stunning train featuring a silver sequin motif at the back.
Dakota Johnson
Dakota Johnson's looked even more stunning from the back.
Jessica Chastain
The always superbly dressed Jessica Chastain aced the dress code in an Armani Prive velvet halterneck gown with silver crystal embroidery on the sides.
Jessica Biel and Justin Timberlake
Jessica Biel channelled Hollywood glamour in a nude gown with sheer black overlay and black sash detail, keeping things classy with a low chignon and diamond accessories. Husband Justin Timberlake opted for an all black suit.
Kendall Jenner
Kendall Jenner had her Angelina Jolie moment posing in an asymmetrical dress with tiered skirts by Giambattista Valli.
Salma Hayek and Ashley Judd
Salma Hayek and Ashley Judd posed together on the carpet, with the former in a high-necked, long-sleeved dress and the latter in a low-cut layered lace gown. Their appearance was poignant, as the two starred together in Frida, the film Hayek accused Harvey Weinstein of harassing her on.
Claire Foy and Matt Smith
The Crown's stars posed together on the red carpet, with Claire Foy looking sensational in a low-cut tuxedo look teamed with slicked back hair and a bold red lip.
Catherine Zeta-Jones
Catherine Zeta-Jones looked incredible in a daringly low-cut illusion dress with sheer skirt by who else than Zuhair Murad.
Alexis Bledel
Alexis Bledel wore a black and white one-shouldered jumpsuit by Oscar de la Renta to celebrate her show The Handmaid's Tale's nomination.
Allison Williams
Former Girls star Allison Williams brightened up her all-black ensemble with a pop of tangerine in this beaded strapless dress by Armani Prive.
Sadie Sink
Stranger Things star Sadie Sink wore a Miu Miu prom dress with full skirt and sweetheart neckline for her first ever Golden Globes.
Debra Messing
Will and Grace's Debra Messing wore a black embellished tunic-style dress with trousers.
Catriona Balfe
Outlander's Catriona Balfe oozed glamour in a black dress with off-the-shoulder sheer detail by Chanel.
Margot Robbie
Margot Robbie chose an oriental-inspired dress with beautifully intricate silver embroidery.
Emma Watson and Marai Larasi
Emma Watson brought Marai Larasi as her date, the founder of Imkaan, a black feminist organisation in London.
Meryl Streep and Ai-Jen Poo
Meryl Streep brought Director of Domestic Workers Alliance, Ai-Jen Poo, as her date to the Golden Globes.
Mandy Moore
Mandy Moore opted for a sleek, column dress with halterneck detail, adding a pop of colour with a scarlet sash belt.
Amy Poehler and Saru Jayaraman
Amy Poehler chose ROC co-founder Saru Jayaraman as her date for the Golden Globes.
Alison Brie
Glow star and nominee Alison Brie wore an old Hollywood-esque strapless dress with full skirt and sweetheart neckline, choosing a beautiful diamond choker to complete the look.
Heidi Klum
Heidi Klum chose a gown with an asymmetrical hemline and ostrich feather detail.
Ewan McGregor
Fargo's Ewan McGregor stuck to the dress code in an all black tux - including his shirt - looking very dapper indeed.
Christina Hendricks
Christina Hendricks, star of 2018's answer to Big Little Lies, Good Girls, chose a simple off-the-shoulder black gown.
Kit Harington
Kit Harington aka Jon Snow aka King in the North looked very dapper in an all black tuxedo.
Chris Hemsworth
Chris Hemsworth looked very un-Thor-like in his tux.
Sarah Paulson
Sarah Paulson chose a highneck gown with pleated skirt.
Jude Law
Jude Law joked on the red carpet in sunglasses.
Zoe Kravitz
Zoe Kravitz looked typically cool in a simple but chic column dress teamed with sapphire earrings.
Isabelle Huppert
Isabelle Huppert looked very on-trend in an embellished metallic dress with sculptural shoulder detail.
Gwendoline Christie
Game of Thrones and Star Wars actress Gwendoline Christie wore a ruffled black dress with sheer high neck.
James and Dave Franco
The Disaster Artists' stars James and Dave Franco posed together in their tuxedos.
Diane Kruger
Perennial best-dressed list member Diane Kruger looked like she'd stepped off the runway in a halterneck tulle gown with cape-like detail by Prada.
Millie Bobby Brown
Millie Bobby Brown chose an 80s-esque backless dress with voluminous sleeves.
Kerry Washington
Kerry Washington sparkled in an embellished strapless gown with thigh-high split.
Maggie Gyllenhaal
Maggie Gyllenhaal was one of several stars who opted for strapless sequins.
Michelle Pfeiffer
Comeback queen Michelle Pfeiffer chose a layered tulle dress which she wore with a short tuxedo jacket over the top.
Lily James
Lily James went for full-on glamour in a black satin gown with ruffle details.
Elisabeth Moss
The Handmaid's Tale's leading lady Elisabeth Moss wore a long-sleeved dress with Peter Pan collar.
Kate Hudson
Kate Hudson played up her pixie crop with an ultra-feminine sheer, low-cut dress with strategically placed necklace.
Mariah Carey
Mariah Carey lived up to her diva reputation in a fishtail gown with slashed neckline.
Saoirse Ronan
Style maven Saoirse Ronan went for a futuristic black one-sleeved gown with silver accents.
Natalie Portman and America Ferrera
Natalie Portman and America Ferrera attended the Golden Globes together, with Natalie choosing an elegant dress with boxy-neckline and sweetheart cut, while newly pregnant America chose a simple black dress worn with a blazer over it.
Nicole Kidman
Nicole Kidman always rules the red carpet and tonight was no different in a floor-length lace gown with high neck.
Greta Gerwig
Ladybird director Greta Gerwig chose a one-shouldered dress teamed with a gold choker.
Halle Berry
Age-defying Halle Berry looked incredible in a sheer lace mini-dress.
Emilia Clarke
Game of Thrones' Emilia Clarke was miles away from her on-screen persona in a very modern strapless dress, which she wore with her trademark peroxide blonde locks and bold red lips.
Gal Gadot
Wonder Woman's Gal Gadot kept it simple in a black ruched column dress with an accompanying bolero by Tom Ford.
Mary J. Blige
Mary J. Blige injected some fun into her LBD with one shimmering silver sleeve and panel in her skirt.
Reese Witherspoon
Times Up kickstarter Reese Witherspoon opted for a simple yet chic one-shouldered gown with mermaid-skirt.
Sally Hawkins
Nominee Sally Hawkins chose a full black skirt with asymmetrical velvet top.
Penelope Cruz
Penelope Cruz - soon to be on our TV screen as Donatella Versace in American Crime Story - looked beautiful in an off-the-shoulder lace dress with a train by Ralph and Russo.
Naomi Campbell
Naomi Campbell was a model red carpet attendee in floor-skimming black.
Sarah Jessica Parker
Sarah Jessica Parker borrowed a dress from her Sex and the City alter-ego Carrie Bradshaw's wardrobe.
Eva Longoria
A low-cut, thigh-high black dress for Eva Longoria.
Gillian Anderson
Gillian Anderson was another adherent to the asymmetrical dress theme, showing off a new peroxide crop.
Laura Dern
Laura Dern chose an Armani Prive gown completely embroidered in crystals and featuring a sheer bodice and tulle train.
Ava DuVernay
Director Ava DuVernay stuck to the dress code in a crystal-embroidered long-sleeved top and draped skirt both by Armani Prive.
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