“These Stories Are True”: Louis CK Admits To Sexual Misconduct
CK dismissed rumours about his behaviour as recently as September.
Comedian Louis CK has confirmed the accounts of five woman who have accused him of sexual misconduct.
On Thursday, The New York Times published allegations by women who said CK masturbated in front of them. The article, and CK’s subsequent admission, come after years of rumours about the comedian behaving inappropriately — rumours that he played down as recently as September.
Since the Times story broke, the release of CK’s new film I Love You Daddy has been cancelled, while Netflix has backed out of a deal to produce the comedian’s next comedy special.
CK initially said he would not answer questions about the allegations, but on Saturday posted a lengthy statement to Twitter in which he admitted the women were telling the truth.
“These stories are true,” said CK. “At the time, I said to myself that what I did was okay because I never showed a woman my dick without asking first, which is also true. But what I learned later in life, too late, is that when you have power over another person, asking them to look at your dick isn’t a question.”
“The power I had over these women is that they admired me. And I wielded that power irresponsibly.”
“There is nothing about this that I forgive myself for,” CK continued. “And I have to reconcile it with who I am. Which is nothing compared to the task I left them with.
Yes, Louis CK’s statement is good — significantly better than Moore’s, Weinstein’s, Trump’s etc. He owned up.
No, this does not mean he gets a gold star. No one gets a gold star for basic human decency years after violating people and lying about it.
— Emma Gray (@emmaladyrose) November 10, 2017
Guys, if your first impulse is to praise Louis CK for making a decent apology, take a second before you say something and pivot your attention toward the bravery and ordeal of the survivors instead.
— Tom & Lorenzo (@tomandlorenzo) November 10, 2017
Two months ago, Louis CK had said his accusers were spreading “rumors.” His fans continued to revere him. Under pressure, he has now confessed and awaits patiently his redemption. There is a script, and men know it by heart.
— EngelsInTheOutfield (@praxicalmagic) November 10, 2017
CK also apologised to the people whose professional lives had been affected by his actions, including the cast and crew of his various creative projects, as well as his manager. He also expressed regret for having “brought pain to my family, my friends, my children and their mother.”
“I have spent my long and lucky career talking and saying anything I want,” said CK. “I will now step back and take a long time to listen.”
Louis CK has put out a statement. “These stories are true,” he says. pic.twitter.com/8oCH7YhqnF
— Dave Itzkoff (@ditzkoff) November 10, 2017