Actress Eliza Dushku is the latest “Buffy the Vampire Slayer” alumnus to come out in support of her former co-star Charisma Carpenter, who on Wednesday accused the show’s creator, Joss Whedon, of “hostile” behavior and toxic ”on the sets of“ Buffy ”and its derived series” Angel “.
“CC, my heart hurts for you and I’m sorry that you’ve held this for so long. His post was powerful, painful and painted a picture that we will never stop seeing or knowing collectively. Thanks. I didn’t know and I won’t forget, ”said Dushku in an Instagram post.
“I often think of the saying,” We are as sick as our secrets. ” Our secrets really make us sick and make us sick, ”she continued. “What I am learning more and more – and I personally found it most valuable – is that deep healing can only come from naming and revealing what really happened, the first necessary step (when someone is ready) to free ourselves from our secrets, truths countless who kept us isolated, ashamed and hostage. “
“Neglecting the“ name ”of the power / gender / sexual / racial abuse epidemic in the entertainment industry (and in society at large) empowers abusers and only encourages and ultimately strengthens abusive systems. May you and countless others feel the solidarity and connection that you have probably lost for a long time. From courage comes change and hope. It all starts and will end because of courageous truth tellers like you. I admire, respect and love you ”, concluded Dushku.
Read too: Charisma Carpenter accuses Joss Whedon of ‘hostile and toxic’ behavior on the ‘Buffy’ and ‘Angel’ sets
Dushku, who later starred in Whedon’s Fox series in 2009-2010, “Dollhouse”, joined Sarah Michelle Gellar, who starred as Buffy, who said in a statement on Wednesday that she is “with all the survivors of abuse and I am proud of them for speaking. ”
“Although I’m proud to have my name associated with Buffy Summers, I don’t want to be associated with the name Joss Whedon forever,” wrote Gellar on Instagram. “I’m more focused on raising my family and surviving a pandemic today, so I’m not going to make any more statements at this point. But I am with all the abuse survivors and I am proud of them for speaking. “
In addition, “Buffy” actors Amber Benson and Clare Kramer also spoke in support of Carpenter, and co-star Michelle Trachtenberg said in a statement that during his years on the show, Whedon’s behavior was “Too much. Inappropriate. ”And that“ There was a rule. Saying. He cannot be alone with Michelle again. ”She did not elaborate on why this rule was implemented.
For his part, Carpenter said in his statement on Wednesday that Whedon “was mean and scathing, openly disparaging others and used to play favorites, pitting people against each other to compete and vie for their attention and approval” Carpenter also accused Whedon of “passive-aggressive threats”, of despising her “faith” and said that she retaliated against her when she became pregnant while starring in “Angel”.
Read too: ‘Buffy’ star Sarah Michelle Gellar says she agrees with ‘all survivors of the abuse’ after Charisma Carpenter’s charges against Joss Whedon
“Buffy the Vampire Slayer” ran for seven seasons from 1997-2003, first on the now defunct WB and then on the defunct UPN. The “Buffy” spinoff, “Angel”, starring David Boreanaz, aired for five seasons on The WB from 1999-2004.