Harvey Weinstein Wanted to Meet Aishwarya Rai Alone, Says Former Agent

Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein, who is currently in the midst of a huge scandal over his sexual overtures towards several actresses, also tried to make advances at Aishwarya Rai, a woman claiming to be the Indian film star’s former manager has claimed.

“I use(d) to manage Indian actress Aishwarya Rai. While dealing with Harvey, I found it comical how hard he tried to get Aishwarya alone,” the woman, Simone Sheffield, said in a comment posted in response to a news story by Variety.com.

Following is the text of the comment posted by Sheffield:
“I use to manage Indian actress Aishwarya Rai. While dealing with Harvey I found it comical how hard he tried to get Aishwarya alone. But he was a pig… looked and acted like a “big bully pig”….He asked me to leave the meeting numerous times and I politely declined. When we were leaving his office he cornered me and said “what do I have to do to get her alone?” I told him to “kiss my black a**”. When Ash and I returned to our hotel, I sent Harvey a steel pig trough filled with DIET COKE as a thank you gift for the meeting. Yes, we did do business and Yes, he eventually threatened me. Told me I’d never work in this business, blah blah blah….what I said to him I can’t print. But you can be sure, I never gave him the opportunity to even breathe on my client.
“Fox News. Weinstein. The President. Such abuses have gone on way before these creeps and will sadly continue until women feel empowered and protected enough to speak out.
“They say there’s strength in numbers…perhaps. BUT it takes only one brave soul to take the first stand. With social media as your platform, that one brave soul will lead an army, in no time.
“Brava Ladies….don’t hold back – THE TRUTH. Protect one another. Support one another. Love one another.”

Weinstein has been facing allegations of seeking sexual favors, and harassment and assault by many women, including leading Hollywood actresses such as Angelina Jolie and Gwyneth Paltrow, since the New York Times and the New Yorker published detailed reports about the accusations against him earlier this month. While the producer was sacked from the board of his firm, Weinstein Company, the police in Los Angeles and London were reported to have begun investigations into the matter. Harvey Weinstein’s wife Georgina Chapman also announced that she was walking out of the relationship with him.

Bollywood actress Aishwarya Rai has worked in several international films, including Bride And Prejudice (2004), Mistress of Spices (2005) and The Pink Panther 2 (2009).

“safriyaf: Aishwarya Rai and Abhishek Bachchan, Harvey Weinstein and Georgina Chapman at #AmFar Gala #Cannes2014 pic.twitter.com/MOcU3LswrV“

— Agustini Frandy (@Tinspeak) May 23, 2014

Sheffield, on the other hand, is reportedly the owner of the California-based company Canyon Entertainment, a talent manager, television and film producer, and music coordinator. Besides Rai, she is also said to have managed Bipasha Basu. She was Rai’s international representative for over nine years, and officially terminated the relationship in 2011, according to reports.

Sheffield’s comments received positive response on social media, with people commending her for coming out with information over the issue.

@simonesheffield @republic #WomensVoices17 @narendramodi @ Hats off 2 this brave lady. Voicing 4 d right cause. Let’s stand together. pic.twitter.com/6ZomXsLpo5

— medha (@medha60) October 14, 2017