the casting couch
the casting couch
The casting couch is a hotbed of grooming activity. How to navigate it safely….. and what to do when things go wrong.
Grooming in the Music Industry
Bands playing at concerts (including faith based ones) and abusing ‘free love’ vibes;
Musicians looking for contracts and being offered ‘the casting couch’ decision;
Individuals who repeatedly groom women into relationships
This list is just the tip of the iceberg. While we develop this resource into something meaningful, please feel free to call us on 07771 817015 (UK number +44 - WhatsApp available)
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R Kelly
R Kelly (Robert Sylvester Kelly) sold over 75 million albums and singles worldwide.
Focus has been on his abuse of children, of which he has been found guilty, but his tentacles of abuse extend also to adults.
R. Kelly: The history of his crimes and allegations against him
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Louis Jay 'Lou' Pearlman, financial abuser
In the 1990s, Music Mogul Lou Pearlman made millions creating the Backstreet Boys and NSYNC. It was all a giant Ponzi scheme and members of the successful boy bands struggled to made ends meet.
Rich Cronin of LFO, who died in 2010, claimed that Pearlman asked the group to fondle his penis as “practice” for meetings with German music executives
Nikki DeLoach of Innosence (a girl band which counted a pre-fame Britney Spears as a member) claims he covertly filmed them naked on the sunbed at his house.
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James Levine, Sexually Abusive Music Director and Conductor
James Levine engaged in sexually abusive and harassing conduct both before and during the period when he worked at the Met. as music director emeritus and artistic director of the organization’s young artist program.
His victims included three men.
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Russell Simmons: 15 accusers
Russell Simmons sexual assault allegations come from many women in many places.
It’s a shocking number of sexual assault and rape allegations!
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Charlie Walk - success went to his head?
Walk began working at Columbia records in 1990 as a marketing and promotion manager, joined Columbia Records and became vice president of creative marketing and promotion before joining Epic Records as their president.
He’s worked with Destiny’s Child, Will Smith, John Legend, Mariah Carey, and more.
Until, that was, at least five women accused him of sexual misconduct.
And female staffers accused him of sending pornographic images.
Clearly feeling untouchable. Until he wasn’t
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Bay City Rollers star Les McKeown 'screamed in his sleep' for decades after being abused by the band’s manager
Following his death in in April 2021, the family of the late Bay City Rollers frontman Les McKeown - one of the most successful singers of the 1970s - have told how he “never found peace” and screamed in his sleep for decades after being abused by the band’s manager.
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Whitney Houston's Manager Coerced her
According to her friends and family, there were two ‘Whitney Houston’s: the dazzling pop princess groomed by Arista president Clive Davis, and the girl from Newark, New Jersey, who rebelled against pressures to be perfect by turning to drugs in her early 20s.
Sources of Support: Music Industry
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To talk through your options, find support or simply find a listening, understanding ear, contact CAAGe
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CAAGe ‘How to’ Legal Support
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The CAAGe page on metal health services is still growing, but already has a lot that may be of use.
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Unseen’s Modern Slavery Helpline and Resource Centre is working towards a world without slavery by supporting, equipping and influencing. Tel: 08000 121 700
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Rape Crisis Centres are run by and for women but are also able to support men and boys who have been reaped. Find a centre: https://rapecrisis.org.uk/find-a-centre/
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The NHS maintains a list of Sexual Assault Referral Centres: SARCs
Celebrity! Film and TV
Television. YouTube celebrities. Whether it’s acting, presenting or simply loving the limelight, if anything looks glamorous, behind the scenes is inevitably a lot of hard work goes into making glamour look effortless. Wherever there’s a desire to succeed, there are predators looking to take advantage. And fame offers a complete imbalance of power, which some use, sickeningly, to their advantage.
In recent years, women in Hollywood, now holding power themselves, have been able to speak out. That’s not easy when you’re just starting out, fall victim to a famous predator, or have a ‘brand’ to protect…. or simply know you won’t be believed.
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Backstage: How to deal with sexual harrassment
Backstage takes a deep dive into dealing with sexual harrassment in the entertainment industry
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Katherine Ryan : Difficult choices
Katharine Tate talks about the difficult choices she’s faced.
If you’re here, it may be bacuse you need help, and her story will help you know that you are far from alone in facing tough decisions.
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Statement of Commitment Against Bullying, Harassment and Inappropriate Behaviour in TV
How everyone can contribute to a respectful workplace and - omportantly - thow concerns should be raised if there is inappropriate behaviour.
Signed up to by:
AMC, Apple TV+, BBC (information on reporting requested), The Casting Directors Guild, Channel 4, Channel 5, The Co-operative Personal Management Association, Disney, Equity, HBO, Intimacy Directors & Coordinators (no specific safeguarding role, although training is given), ITV Studios, Northern Ireland Screen, Pact, Paramount, Personal Managers Association, S4C, Screen Scotland, Sky, TAC, Warner Bros.
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Times Up: Guides to entertainment industry
Time’s Up UK is a charity that insists on safe, fair and dignified work for everyone.
It has produced a series of guides to help people in the entertainment industry, including:
Your Rights in Auditions
Your Rights in Nude and Intimate Scenes
Your Right to Report
Nudity Rider Basics
And an incident report template
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TUC guide on legal posiition
The TUC has produced a guide to ‘Protection from Sexual Harrassment’ for Women, useful for understanding your rights (2018)
(Much of the legal position advice is equally applicable to men.)
Sources of Support
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To talk through your options, find support or simply find a listening, understanding ear, contact CAAGe
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CAAGe ‘How to’ Legal Support
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The CAAGe page on metal health services is still growing, but already has a lot that may be of use.
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Unseen’s Modern Slavery Helpline and Resource Centre is working towards a world without slavery by supporting, equipping and influencing. Tel: 08000 121 700
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Rape Crisis Centres are run by and for women but are also able to support men and boys who have been reaped. Find a centre: https://rapecrisis.org.uk/find-a-centre/
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The NHS maintains a list of Sexual Assault Referral Centres: SARCs
Modelling and Grooming.
Modelling can be a fabulous career. To succeed needs hard work, dedication, and an awareness of the risks.
