Constance Wu, the star of the ABC sitcom Fresh Off the Boat, has alleged that she was sexually harassed by a producer on the show. In her memoir, Making a Scene, and in interviews, Wu details her experiences of sexual harassment and assault at the hands of an unnamed producer during the show's first two seasons. Wu kept quiet about the abuse at the time, not wanting to detract from the show's Asian American representation and its positive impact on the community. She also feared losing her job and faced mental health struggles as a result of her experiences.
Characteristics | Values |
---|---|
Name of actress | Constance Wu |
Name of TV Show | Fresh Off the Boat |
Name of producer | Not named |
Type of harassment | Sexual harassment |
Time period of harassment | First two seasons of the show |
Harassment incidents | Inappropriate touching, demanding selfies, controlling behaviour |
What You'll Learn
- Constance Wu's experience with sexual harassment on the set of 'Fresh Off the Boat'
- Wu's decision to not publicly name the producer
- The producer's inappropriate touching and comments
- Wu's mental health struggles and suicide attempt following the incident
- The impact of the incident on Wu's career and public image
Constance Wu's experience with sexual harassment on the set of 'Fresh Off the Boat'
Constance Wu has alleged that she was sexually harassed by a senior producer on the set of "Fresh Off the Boat". In her memoir, "Making a Scene", and in several interviews, Wu details her experiences of sexual harassment and assault at the hands of an unnamed producer on the show.
Wu claims that the producer in question exhibited controlling behaviour, demanding that she run all her business matters past him, telling her what to wear, and asking her to send him selfies late at night. She also alleges that he made offensive comments and jokes, and that he would touch her inappropriately. On one occasion, Wu says that the producer placed his hand on her thigh and attempted to touch her pelvic area.
Wu explained that she kept quiet about the harassment because she did not want to detract from the show's Asian American representation and did not want to "stain the reputation" of the producer or the show. She also stated that she felt embarrassed and paranoid, as it was her first TV show and she had no prior experience in the industry.
Wu's experiences with sexual harassment on the set of "Fresh Off the Boat" have had a significant impact on her life and career. In 2019, she faced backlash for tweeting negatively about the show's renewal, which she later explained was due to her distress over the harassment. The actress withdrew from the spotlight for three years and even attempted suicide as a result of the intense criticism she received.
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Wu's decision to not publicly name the producer
Constance Wu's decision to not publicly name the producer accused of sexually harassing her can be attributed to several reasons. Firstly, Wu wanted to protect the reputation of "Fresh Off the Boat," which was a groundbreaking show for Asian American representation on television. She felt that speaking out about the harassment would stain the reputation of the show and potentially lead to its cancellation. Wu also considered the impact her allegations might have on the producer's reputation, especially as he was an Asian American man doing so much for the Asian American community. She struggled with the idea of holding him accountable for his actions while also acknowledging his contributions.
Additionally, Wu feared the consequences of speaking up. She felt constantly terrified of being fired from her first network TV job and shared that this was pre-#MeToo Movement. She also mentioned that she did not want to appear uncool or create friction by speaking out against the producer. Wu further explained that she kept quiet because she did not want to be seen as someone who was ungrateful and ungraceful and did not want to affect the jobs of her colleagues.
Moreover, Wu disclosed that she had confided in others on set about the abuse and that they did not encourage her to report it to HR as they also wanted to protect the show. She also mentioned that she eventually found the courage to say "no" to the producer's requests and believed that she had handled the situation privately. However, she later realized that the trauma and bad feelings did not go away, and it affected her mental health and behaviour, including her controversial tweets about the show's renewal.
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The producer's inappropriate touching and comments
In her memoir, *Making a Scene*, Constance Wu details her experiences of sexual harassment, intimidation, and emotional abuse at the hands of a senior producer on the show *Fresh Off the Boat*. Wu declined to name the producer, referring to him only by an initial in her book.
Wu alleges that the producer demanded that she run all her business matters past him, telling her what to wear and how to style her hair, and asking her for late-night selfies. She also alleges that he made offensive comments and jokes, and that he regularly asked her for selfies.
Wu claims that the producer's behaviour became physical when they attended a sporting event together. There, he allegedly placed his hand on her thigh and then grazed her crotch. Wu writes that she asked him to stop and that they later swept the incident under the rug.
Wu said that she kept quiet about the harassment because she did not want to detract from the show's Asian American representation and did not want to "stain the reputation" of the producer or the show. She also said that she felt embarrassed and paranoid, as it was her first TV show and she had no prior experience in the industry.
Wu's allegations have sparked a conversation about the impact of harassment and abuse on victims, as well as the challenges of speaking out, especially when it involves someone in a position of power.
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Wu's mental health struggles and suicide attempt following the incident
Constance Wu has opened up about her mental health struggles and suicide attempt following her time on the show "Fresh Off the Boat". In 2019, Wu expressed her displeasure at the renewal of the show for a sixth season, tweeting, "So upset right now that I'm literally crying. Ugh. Fuck." The backlash to her comments was swift and severe, with many criticising her for seeming ungrateful about the success of the series, which was one of the few sitcoms with an all-Asian cast in central roles.
Wu later clarified that her frustration stemmed from having to give up another project she was passionate about due to the renewal. However, her comments were not well-received, and she faced intense backlash and internet shaming, particularly from fellow Asian Americans, who felt she had become a "blight" on the community. This led to a decline in Wu's mental health, and she revealed that she attempted suicide following the backlash, sharing that a few DMs had "convinced [her] to end [her] own life". Luckily, a friend found her and rushed her to the hospital.
Wu's experience highlights the importance of addressing mental health struggles and the impact of internet shaming, particularly within the Asian American community, where there is often a stigma surrounding these issues. After her suicide attempt, Wu took a break from acting to focus on her mental health and underwent therapy. She has since returned to acting and has also written a memoir, "Making a Scene", in which she details her experiences and hopes to encourage others to talk about their struggles.
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The impact of the incident on Wu's career and public image
Wu's public image took a hit, with some calling her unlikeable and questioning her authenticity and motives. She faced criticism for not speaking up earlier and for changing her explanation for the tweets. However, she also received support and empathy from some people, who felt that her experience was an example of how women who speak up about harassment are treated.
Wu's career was also impacted by the incident, as she took a three-year break from the spotlight and social media. She also revealed that she struggled with her mental health during this time and had to focus on her recovery. It is unclear if Wu has been able to secure new projects since her break, as some commenters speculated that she may have difficulty finding work due to the controversy.
Overall, the incident had a significant impact on Wu's career and public image, leading to a period of isolation and self-reflection.
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Frequently asked questions
Constance Wu has not named the producer, and refers to him only by an initial in her book.
Wu alleges that the producer's control led to her signing with his suggested agent and that he often intervened in her business matters, insisting he be kept in the loop at all times. She also writes that the producer regularly made offensive comments or jokes, which she would play off, and often asked her for selfies late at night. Wu also alleges that the producer's behaviour turned physical when he placed his hand on her thigh and grazed her crotch at a basketball game.
Wu explains that she kept quiet because she did not want to detract from the show's Asian American representation and did not want to "stain the reputation" of the show or the producer. She also said she was afraid of appearing uncool by speaking out and wanted to appear to be "part of the boys' club".