Before you read on, it is important to note that this article contains discussion of physical and sexual abuse.
For weeks since messages, allegedly from the actor, were leaked, claiming to numerous women that he's a cannibal and likes drinking blood, there's been a lot of internet speculation about Armie Hammer. And, alongside any big celebrity storms, the memes have continued.
But things stepped up this week, when it was reported Armie Hammer's agency and publicist dropped him over the weekend because a 'huge story' was coming. Since that news started to rumble there seems to have been a distinct feeling that can only be described as excitement about what might be about to be revealed. Many have been open about their thirst for some 'good celebrity gossip scandal' and posted popcorn style memes as if they're eagerly awaiting the update.
The internet thirst around what this supposed 'big story' is has even led some outlets to publish stories forcing police to confirm Armie Hammer is not being investigated as part of a death investigation. One headline said: 'online rumors [were] claiming he worked at a construction site near where human remains were found'.
It feels like everything has gone... a bit hysterical.
Which isn't really ok? Because, if someone has been accused of abuse (which has been denied by Hammer) and we're told there's another big story coming... that's not probably going to be something to be gleeful about? And secondly, it kind of feels like everyone is out here waiting on the 'big story' when actually, perhaps what information is out there from women should be enough?
Maybe it's because the story is so bizarre that it seems divorced from reality? Maybe it's car crash awful and you can't keep your eyes off of it? Maybe it's that we're home, starved of intrigue, entertainment or pretty much anything right now. But it all seems... wrong.
There have been countless quips made about his Call Me By Your Name co-star Timothée Chalamet reading the DMs, comparisons to Silence Of The Lambs' Hannibal Lecter and lines like 'did Armie Hammer eat Leggie Hammer' (Armie and Josh Pence played the Winklevoss twins in 2010's The Social Network).
Since the initial messages were shared weeks ago, more have come to light, with one exchange where it looks like Armie is claiming he wanted to keep a woman's toe. 'You just live to obey and be my slave. I will own you. That's my soul. My brain. My spirit. My body,' one screenshot reads. 'Would you come and be my property till you die? If I wanted to cut off one of your toes and keep it with me in my pocket so I always had a piece of you in my possession?'
Another incredibly disturbing set of screenshots, which look to be from a Facebook account called Armie Hammer, the user tells the woman that he wants to rape her. There are more incredibly distressing messages.
Yet still, the jokes have continued. One particular meme shows a picture of the animated character Shrek looking concerned, with the caption: 'Armie Hammer when his girls' toes fall out his pocket in public.' There are many memes referencing the Kesha song Cannibal.
Mr Hammer has commented on the DMs - and dropped out of upcoming comedy with Jennifer Lopez, Shotgun Wedding. Hammer said in a statement to The Hollywood Reporter: 'I’m not responding to these bullshit claims but in light of the vicious and spurious online attacks against me, I cannot in good conscience now leave my children for four months to shoot a film in the Dominican Republic. Lionsgate is supporting me in this and I’m grateful to them for that.'
However, his ex-girlfriend Jessica Ciencin Henriquez believes the texts are 'real'. Jessica tweeted: 'If you are still questioning whether or not those Armie Hammer DMs are real (and they are) maybe you should start questioning why we live in a culture willing to give abusers the benefit of the doubt instead of victims.'
Others who have been in relationships with Armie Hammer have come forward too.
Paige Lorenze, a 22-year-old student, dated Armie Hammer for four months last year. She says they would engage in knife play, during which 'he would cut off underwear or bras and use the knife and put it all over my body.' In one incident, he allegedly carved the letter 'A' near her vagina.
'I kind of sat back and let it happen,' she told said. 'I didn’t really know what to do or say … As sad as that is, I wanted him to like me and feel like I was down for what he wanted.'
An attorney for Hammer said in a statement in response to Paige's comments: 'These assertions about Mr. Hammer are patently untrue. Any interactions with this person, or any partner of his, were completely consensual in that they were fully discussed, agreed upon, and mutually participatory. The stories being perpetuated in the media are a misguided attempt to present a one-sided narrative with the goal of tarnishing Mr. Hammer’s reputation, and communications from the individuals involved prove that.'
What Armie - who is in a position of power, being famous - has allegedly messaged and done is not some sort of funny kink - but violence. These messages suggest getting sexual gratification from actual violence or non-consexual sex which is never something to laugh about. This does not need to be normalised or LOLed at in a few characters on Twitter because it's coming from a famous actor. Anybody else, and you'd find it incredibly disturbing.
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