Weeks after she gave the most epic response to a journalist asking her if she'd been sexually harassed in her career, Sharon Stone has spoken out against Harvey Weinstein and said she hopes he goes to prison.
In an interview with the Mail on Sunday, the actress spoke about the sexual misconduct allegations that have come to light in recent weeks, levied against the film mogul.
Despite refusing to comment as to whether she'd personally had any difficult encounters with Harvey in particular, Stone said: 'For people who behave outrageously, you just have to tell them they're awful, but there are other people who are coarse and mean and violent and abusive and assaulting, and these people need to go to jail.'
When questioned about whether she meant Weinstein, she added: 'I do. And I hope he goes to jail.'
The 59-year-old star also revealed how she believes women should stand up against predatory men.
'We have two legs. You can leave a room. You can say "stop it". You have an opportunity not to participate,' she commented.
'Rape and assault are a different story, but you have two legs and you have a mouth.'
It's worth noting here that verbalising 'no' to an aggressor is a far more complex issue than Stone may seem to suggest.
As Margaret Atwood once wrote: 'Men are afraid that women will laugh at them. Women are afraid that men will kill them.'
However, the Basic Instinct star added she'd like people to have compassion for those who show remorse.
'I'd like to accept every apology that comes forward. Not accepting apologies... I don't think that's right.
'Our films are about humanity and if we're not humane in the way we move forward, then we're losing the point.
'You can't charge someone for murder when they've got a parking ticket.'
Weinstein has 'unequivocally denied' allegations of non-consensual sex, brought to light from the likes of actresses Rose McGowan, Annabella Sciorra and Natassia Malthe.
Several other actresses including Lupita Nyong'o, Salma Hayek, Gwyneth Paltrow and Angelina Jolie have also come forward with allegations of sexual harassment and assault by Weinstein.
Earlier this month, Stone had the most poignant reaction to Lee Cowan's question regarding her own experiences with sexual misconduct on CBS Sunday.
After bursting into laughter at the question, Stone noted: 'I've been in this business for forty years, Lee. Can you imagine the business I stepped into forty years ago? Looking like I look, from Nowhere, Pennsylvania? I didn't come here with any protection. I've seen it all.'
She also took the time to discuss feminism, adding: 'Women so often lose their own identity to the identity of the men that they're with. They even change the way they dress...
'We're starting to acknowledge our own gifts as women and not think that we have to behave as men in order to be empowered or powerful or valuable.'
Katie O'Malley is the Site Director on ELLE UK. On a daily basis you’ll find Katie managing all digital workflow, editing site, video and newsletter content, liaising with commercial and sales teams on new partnerships and deals (eg Nike, Tiffany & Co., Cartier etc), implementing new digital strategies and compiling in-depth data traffic, SEO and ecomm reports. In addition to appearing on the radio and on TV, as well as interviewing everyone from Oprah Winfrey to Rishi Sunak PM, Katie enjoys writing about lifestyle, culture, wellness, fitness, fashion, and more.
