Hugh Jackman Speaks Out On Producer Scott RudinтАЩs Exit From тАШThe Music ManтАЩ After Abuse Allegations
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Scott Rudin has been one of HollywoodтАЩs biggest behind-the-scenes names for decades, producer of a dizzying array of hits ranging from тАЬCluelessтАЭ to тАЬSister ActтАЭ to тАЬThe Addams FamilyтАЭ тАФ and even competed against himself at the 2008 Oscars when two films he produded, тАЬNo Country for Old MenтАЭ and тАЬThere Will Be BloodтАЭ, were nominated for Best Picture.
On April 7,┬аThe Hollywood Reporter ran an expose on Rudin, in which several of his former assistants accused him of being an abusive boss who left his employees traumatized.
Earlier this week, Rudin announced he was stepping away from his current projects тАФ one of which was an upcoming theatrical Broadway revival of тАЬThe Music ManтАЭ, starring Hugh Jackman and тАЬYoungerтАЭ star Sutton Foster.
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On Wednesday, Jackman broke his silence about RudinтАЩs exit in an all-caps statement he gave to theatre reporter Michael Paulson.
тАЬI want to say how much I respect and applaud the people that have spoken up about their experience working with Scott Rudin,тАЭ Jackman wrote..
тАЬIt takes an enormous amount of courage and strength to stand up and state your truth. This has started a conversation that is long overdue, not just on Broadway, and the entertainment industry, but across all workforce,тАЭ he continued.
тАЬThe most important voice we needed to hear from was Scott Rudin, he has now spoken up and stepped away from тАШThe Music ManтАЩ. I hope and pray this is a journey of healing for all the victims and the community,тАЭ Jackman added.
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тАЬWe are currently rebuilding the тАШMusic ManтАЩ team and are aspiring to create an environment that is not only safe, but ensures that everyone is seen, heard and valued,тАЭ he concluded. тАЬThis is something that is and has always been very important to me.тАЭ
A statement from @RealHughJackman re Scott Rudin and @MusicManBway: pic.twitter.com/jMNptrHEgg
тАФ Michael Paulson (@MichaelPaulson) April 21, 2021
Prior to JackmanтАЩs statement, Foster spoke about the situation during an Instagram Live conversation, reported The Hollywood Reporter.
тАЬI just feel, really, itтАЩs an unbelievably unfortunate situation, but the only positive outcome is the one that is happening,тАЭ she said. тАЬAnd I know Hugh feels exactly the same way.тАЭ