Yahoo Movies Bryan Singer claims accusations he sexually abused underage boys are ‘homophobic’
Bryan Singer has responded to sexual abuse allegations against him, following the publication of a detailed exposé in which he is accused of molesting underage boys.
The Bohemian Rhapsody director hit out at the news story in a statement to Deadline, calling it a “homophobic smear piece” and claiming it was published to undermine the success of his Queen biopic.
Two men told The Atlantic Singer allegedly had sex with them when they were 17 and 15 respectively. Some people told the publication Singer allegedly seduced them while they were underage and others told the magazine they were allegedly raped. One of the accusers, Victor Valdovinos, claims Singer molested him on the set of the film Apt Pupil whe he was 13 years old.
A representative for Singer sent Deadline a message in which the director said Esquire had previously considered publishing “an article written by a homophobic journalist who has a bizarre obsession with me dating back to 1997” but had ultimately decided not to do so.
Singer claims in the message that the writer eventually sold the story to The Atlantic.
“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,” he added.
“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 has publicly identified as bisexual, telling Out Magazine in 2014: “I’m quite bisexual.”
The director was removed from Bohemian Rhapsody when the biopic was still filming. Dexter Fletcher stepped in to finish the project, but Singer still received a directing credit.
Maximillian Potter and Alex French, the two journalists who penned the Atlantic exposé, said in a statement published on Twitter by the publication: “This story began with our editors at Esquire.
“After months of reporting, the story went through Esquire‘s editorial process, which included fact-checking and vetting by a Hearst attorney, and the story was approved for publication. The story was then killed by Hearst executives. We do not know why.
“We feel fortunate that The Atlantic decided to work with us, and we are grateful that the piece has gone through The Atlantic‘s thoughtful editorial process, which included another rigorous fact-check and robust legal vetting.”
The Independent has contacted Esquire and Hearst for comment.
