*Afton Williamson is naming names. Earlier we reported that the now ex-“The Rookie” actor said she was exiting the ABC drama series over sexual harassment and more.
Now Williamson has identified actor Demetrius Grosse as the sexual harasser. According to IMDB, Grosse played Detective Kevin Wolfe in five episodes in Season 1
Grosse isn’t the only person she said was doing her dirty. USA Today reports she also accused the show’s “hair department head” of racial discrimination and “racially charged inappropriate comments,” as well as bullying that “escalated into sexual assault at our wrap party.” She confirmed that the person is department head Sallie Ciganovich.
“This season on ‘The Rookie,’ I was sexually harassed by fellow actor Demetrius Grosse. I was racially bullied and discriminated against and sexually assaulted by hair department head (Sallie) Nicole Ciganovich,” Williamson wrote in the post.
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Williamson played LAPD training officer Talia Bishop opposite star and executive producer Nathan Fillion, who plays a 40-something police trainee. ABC announced in May the show would get picked up for a second season. Williamson will be replaced by a new character in the new season’s fourth episode.
Here’s more via USA Today:
ABC entertainment president Karey Burke told reporters Monday at the Television Critics Association’s summer press tour that she’s “frustrated” and doesn’t “have a lot of answers” currently. She said she learned of the allegations at the end of June and, as far as she knows, that’s when the investigation began. The series is produced by Entertainment One, an outside production company, which is handling the probe.
“I wish I had more,” she said. “We are waiting for answers… As soon as we learn more, we will make a determination based on what’s found.”
Williamson thanked her “fans, friends and supporters” for the outpouring of love, kind words, scriptures, strength filled quotes and devout support” since Sunday.
“The rippling effect (the initial post) has had in just a few hours shows how much this world is aching with victims of racism, discrimination, sexual harassment, sexual assault, sexual abuse all of it,” 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.”
Referring to herself as a “survivor” and a “victim of abuse and harassment,” Williamson called on others with similar experiences to step forward and hold others accountable.
“I for one stand with you and I’m no longer afraid to be vocal about it,” she continued. “We Can Stand Together. Let’s Change This Sickness. That Change starts with US. Let’s BE the CHANGE we WANT to SEE.”
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