X-Men's Bryan Singer Calls New Abuse Allegations a 'Homophobic Smear Piece'

CBR

By Drew Mollo

Published Jan 23, 2019

The X-Men director has released an official response condemning a recent expose accusing him of further sexual abuse incidents.

X-Men and former Bohemian Rhapsody director Bryan Singer has been the subject of controversy lately, with accusations of sexual abuse and misconduct with minors causing him to be removed as an executive producer on FX's Legion and putting his status as executive producer for Fox's The Gifted in question.

However, Singer has released a statement responding to a recent expose that presents testimonies from four young men who accuse him of inappropriate advances, sexual misconduct and, in one case, rape, which left the victims "psychologically damaged, with substance-abuse problems, depression, and PTSD."

"The last time I posted about this subject, Esquire magazine was preparing to publish an article written by a homophobic journalist who has a bizarre obsession with me dating back to 1997," Singer's statement read. "After careful fact-checking and, in consideration of the lack of credible sources, Esquire chose not to publish this piece of vendetta journalism.

"That didn't stop this writer from selling it to the Atlantic," he continued. "It's sad that The Atlantic would stoop to this low standard of journalistic integrity. Again, I am forced to reiterate that this story rehashes claims from bogus lawsuits filed by a disreputable cast of individuals willing to lie for money or attention. And it is no surprise that, with Bohemian Rhapsody being an award-winning hit, this homophobic smear piece has been conveniently timed to take advantage of its success."

Singer's attorney, Andrew B. Brettler, denied that his client has ever had sex with underage men, and emphasized the director has never been arrested or charged with any crime.

Singer was sued in 2014 by Michael Egan III, who alleged that he was 17 years old when the director drugged and raped him at parties held in 1999 in Los Angeles and Kailua, Hawaii. Egan dropped the lawsuit four months later. However, Singer was then accused again in 2017, mere days after he was fired from Bohemian Rhapsody, of sexually assaulting a 17-year-old boy during a 2003 party. The director has denied those allegations, as well, but the lawsuit filed by Cesar Sanchez-Guzman is pending.

(via Deadline)