Brendan Fraser’s work in the Darren Aronofsky-directed psychological drama, The Whale, has been hailed by many critics with the actor earning tons of praise and recognition for his role and dedication in the film. And it is being said that he is highly likely to win an award or two for the same.
In fact, his performance in the movie is believed to hold great potential for bagging an Oscar as well. But The Mummy star has declared that if he gets nominated for a Golden Globe for it, he will not be accepting the award, let alone show up at the ceremony. The reason being his disturbing history with The Hollywood Foreign Press Association, the famous nonprofit organization responsible for hosting the annual Golden Globe Awards.
Brendan Fraser’s Traumatizing History With the HFPA
Back in 2018, Brendan Fraser accused the currently former president of the Hollywood Foreign Press Association, Philip Berk, of s*xually assaulting him in 2003 at a luncheon that was held in the Beverly Hills Hotel. Shortly after the Line of Descent actor spoke up about the incident, the HFPA investigated the situation, only to brush off the whole thing as a mere “joke.”
In his GQ cover story, Fraser recalled the horrifying experience as he vowed to “not participate” in the Golden Globe Awards, even if he gets nominated for his commendable work in The Whale.
“I have more history with the Hollywood Foreign Press Association than I have respect for the Hollywood Foreign Press Association. No, I will not participate. It’s because of the history that I have with them. And my mother didn’t raise a hypocrite. You can call me a lot of things, but not that.”
When Fraser spoke to GQ back in 2018, he’d opened up about the alleged incident wherein Berk groped him, and how it made him feel sick and utterly helpless.
“I felt like a little kid. I felt like there was a ball in my throat. I thought I was going to cry. I felt like someone had thrown invisible paint on me.”
Furthermore, the HFPA disrespected him gravely by not only dismissing his claims but even going so far as to label the entire thing as nothing but a “joke,” and that obviously worsened things for Fraser.
Brendan Fraser Won’t be Attending the Golden Globe Awards
After Fraser, 54, accused Berk, 89, of s*xual assault, the HFPA did start looking into the matter but only ended up denying the allegations, claiming that the George of the Jungle star’s “version” of the story was “a total fabrication.” And Fraser was nudged to take it as a “joke” instead of looking at it from a stance of “s*xual advance.”
Berk was later kicked out of the in 2021 association for sending a racist e-mail and partaking in what was being called as a “racist hate movement.”
Nevertheless, Fraser has announced that while he will be campaigning vigorously for the Academy Awards, he will certainly not be gracing his presence at the Golden Globes, regardless of whether not he nabs any nominations for his latest project, The Whale.
That being said, The Whale is currently out in cinemas.
Source: Page Six
