After Afton Williamson announced she quit ABC’s “The Rookie” over claims of racism, bullying and sexual harassment, the actress has revealed why she felt empowered to name her alleged harasser.
On Sunday, Williamson, 34, revealed on Instagram that she was continually sexually harassed by recurring guest star, Demetrius Grosse. She also alleged that she received racist commentary and bullying from the head of the hair department, Sally Ciganovich, which she said escalated into a sexual assault incident at their wrap party.
She also shared that the hair department head was fired after the alleged sexual assault but “not for an entire year of outward racism/racially charged language and bullying behavior in and out of the Hair and Makeup trailer.”
Now Williamson has decided to take matters into her own hands in regards to Grosse.
“This season on The Rookie, I was sexually harassed by fellow actor Demetrius Grosse,” she wrote in an Instagram post on Monday. “I was Racially Bullied and Discriminated against and Sexually Assaulted by Hair Department Head Sally Nicole Ciganovich. Let’s BE the CHANGE we WANT to SEE❤️👊🏾🙏🏾”
The star spoke of the importance of using her platform to speak out.
“It is through this experience and my platform that God pushed me to use the power within me. It just takes a VOICE,” she wrote. “I never imagined so many of us have experienced these horrible circumstances and that can NO LONGER GO UNHEARD. We have a voice. ALL OF US. It is our DUTY to use it. I used to fear the word Victim. I scoffed at it because all I was told when these injustices happened to me, was to Survive. Survivor I am. Victim I am also. A victim of injustice. A victim of assault. A victim of abuse and harassment.
She added, “If you have experienced any of the above, you are too and I for one stand with you and I’m no longer afraid to be vocal about it. We Can Stand Together. Let’s Change This Sickness. That Change starts with US.”
Williamson also thanked her fans for the outpouring of support she received after coming forward on Sunday.
“To my Fans, my Friends, my Supporters: I want to Thank EVERY SINGLE ONE OF YOU,” she said. “I am so beyond overwhelmed by the outpouring of love, kind words, scriptures, strength filled quotes and devout support that has come my way.”
ABC told Page Six that in late June the production company behind the series, Entertainment One, “launched an investigation that is ongoing.”
Entertainment One said in a statement, “We take claims of this nature very seriously. We have initiated an independent investigation which is ongoing and as such, it would not be appropriate to comment at this time.”