Hollywood has started to wake up to the grim realities of its industry as dozens of women have accused Harvey Weinstein of harassment and assault over the past few weeks. Many of those women have been recognizable actresses and other well-known figures, but in a speech at an Elle Women in Hollywood event, Kristen Stewart encouraged people to also focus on the below-the-line workers subjected to similar forms of abuse. “I want to express how thankful I am to hear what is typically a murmured sotto conversation,†Stewart said, referring to the Weinstein scandal. “We’ve all been talking about this forever, not to make it specific, but it is, ah, about this motherfucker.â€
She then brought up the crew members who are regularly harassed by higher-ups. “Can’t tell you how many times I’ve saved makeup artists — because it trickled down, too — and camera assistants from DPs who are like, ‘Hey, babe,’†she said. “And when I say ‘saved,’ I mean momentarily been like, ‘Don’t, fucker!’ And they are embarrassed for one second, but it just keeps going every single day. So I’d say, let’s be aware of this on every level. Those girls are as duct-taped as one could possibly be because they are in fear of getting their next job, as every actress is, too, same deal.â€