The actress opened up about the decision at the Television Critics Association over the weekend
Catherine Zeta-Jones is an advocate both of her husband, Michael Douglas, and of the #MeToo movement.
While promoting Cocaine Godmother: The Griselda Blanco Story at Lifetime's Television Critics Association press day on Sunday, the 48-year-old actress spoke about Douglas’ decision to preemptively release a statement denying claims of sexual harassment against a former employee.
“My reaction was that as two people who have been in this business -- him longer than me -- was that we support ‘Me Too’ and the movement more than anybody, anybody -- me as a woman, him as a man,” said Zeta-Jones, who attended the Golden Globes in a black gown last week. “And there was no other way than to be preemptive in a story that had to be watched. He did a statement. I think it’s very clear the way that he stands. I cannot elaborate on something that’s so very personal to him.”
Zeta-Jones remained highly complimentary of the women coming forward, saying, “We’re seeing changes that have taken many years to even be talked about. It’s an amazing time for women, and I really want women to remember how strong we are in numbers. This is going to die down. This is not going to be at the forefront of everyone’s mind forever and ever, and we’re going to have to be kind to each other. We can’t ask everyone else to be kind to us unless we’re kind to each other.”
The actress added of her 14-year-old daughter, Carys, “I have a daughter and I instill [empowerment] in her every single day.”
Last week, Douglas spoke with Deadline, saying he’d been contacted by multiple outlets regarding claims that he had sexually harassed a former employee.
“My head was reeling," Douglas said in the interview. "I just couldn’t put this together. I’ve had no contact with her, in thirty-plus years. I talked to the reporter and said, ‘Listen, as far as using colorful language in front of her, I apologize. None of it was directed at her; she didn’t say it was. It was my office and that was the tone that I set and as far as conversations with friends.’... As to colorful language, she may have overheard private conversations, and if she was offended, she could have excused herself. As far as blackballing her, that was completely untrue. She was a lady who was involved in development at my company, and we just didn’t have a good development record in the time she was there, so I just moved on. I never blackballed her. ... Finally, masturbating in front of her? I don’t know where to begin. This is a complete lie, fabrication, no truth to it whatsoever."
For more from Douglas, watch the clip below.
RELATED CONTENT:
Michael Douglas Denies Sexual Harassment Story Before It Potentially Breaks
Catherine Zeta-Jones Shares Sweet Family Photo While Visiting the Taj Mahal
Kirk Douglas Celebrates 101st Birthday With Son Michael and Family: Pics!
