Morrissey: Spacey, Weinstein Scandals Have Become ‘A Play’
Morrissey has said the Hollywood sex scandals surrounding Kevin Spacey and Harvey Weinstein have become “a play” – and he’s questioning the definition of sexual misconduct in the modern world.
Spacey has been accused of sexually assaulting a 14-year-old boy and similar acts against approximately 20 other men, while Weinstein has been accused raping three women and sexually harassing more than 30 others.
Morrissey’s latest outspoken comments came in an interview with German site Spiegel, and a Google Translate version was posted on fan website Morrissey Solo. Among the subjects covered were the "fake news" controversy, the U.K.’s Brexit move and animal cruelty.
Asked if he’d been staying informed about the allegations that have been made against actor Spacey and producer Weinstein, Morrissey said: “Up to a point, yes, but then it became a play… Anyone who has ever said to someone else, ‘I like you,’ is suddenly being charged with sexual harassment. You have to put these things into the right relations. If I can not tell anyone that I like him, how would they ever know?”
He added: “Of course, there are extreme cases. Rape is disgusting, any physical attack is repugnant. But we have to see it in proportion. Otherwise, every person on this planet is guilty. Some people are already awkward when it comes to romance. They do not know what to do and then their behavior is aggressive.”
Referring to accusations leveled at Spacey, which he called “ridiculous,” the singer said: “As far as I know, he was in a bedroom with a 14-year-old. Kevin Spacey was 26, boy 14. One wonders where the boy's parents were. One wonders if the boy did not know what would happen. I do not know about you but in my youth I have never been in situations like this. Never.
“I was always aware of what could happen. When you are in somebody's bedroom, you have to be aware of where that can lead to. That's why it does not sound very credible to me. It seems to me that Spacey has been unnecessarily attacked.”
Asked whether the same standards should be applied to actresses said to have been attacked by Weinstein in hotel rooms, Morrissey argued: “People know exactly what's going on. And they play along. Afterwards, they feel embarrassed or disliked. And then they turn it around and say, ‘I was attacked, I was surprised…’ But if everything went well, and if it had given them a great career, they would not talk about it.
“I hate rape. I hate attacks. I hate sexual situations that are forced on someone. But in many cases one looks at the circumstances and thinks that the person who is considered a victim is merely disappointed. Throughout the history of music and rock 'n' roll there have been musicians who slept with their groupies. If you go through history, almost everyone is guilty of sleeping with minors. Why not throw everyone in jail at the same time?”
Asked about rumors of David Bowie having “deflowered” a 15-year-old girl, Morrissey said: “That was absolutely normal back then,” before insisting he’d never been involved in any such situation in the position of the older or the younger person.