Harvey Weinstein trial: Lauren Young tells court of bathroom 'assault'
A Harvey Weinstein accuser says the former Hollywood producer sexually assaulted her in a hotel bathroom.
Thursday 6 February 2020 03:16, UK
An actress and model has accused former Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein of locking her in a bathroom while he performed a sex act.
Lauren Young, 30, the last of six women to testify against Weinstein in his Manhattan rape trial, told jurors she met the alleged rapist in 2012 at an Oscar dinner.
Ms Young said she also met actress Claudia Salinas, who invited her to a meeting in a Beverly Hills hotel bar with Weinstein about a year later, in February 2013.
Hoping to pitch a script she was working on, Ms Young told the court she was excited.
"I got ready. I put on my best dress," she said of the night, which was days before the Oscars.
"I was excited to network and pitch my ideas."
Weinstein suggested she appear on the reality television show America's Next Top Model, which did not interest her.
Then, Ms Young testified, Weinstein said he had to go up to his hotel suite to prepare to receive an award with director Quentin Tarantino and asked the two women to accompany him.
Weinstein allegedly led Ms Young through a bedroom in the suite to a bathroom, at which point Salinas closed the door behind her.
Ms Young said Weinstein turned on the shower and began to undress.
"I felt so trapped and I was in shock," Ms Young said.
"I just couldn't believe what was happening."
Ms Young said Weinstein stood between her and the door, telling her: "We're just going to have a talk here."
He unzipped her dress, pulled it down and began touching her breast with one hand while masturbating, as Ms Young repeatedly told him "no", she testified.
She said Weinstein told her, "This is what all the actresses do to make it."
She said he did not let go of her until he ejaculated, at which point he left the bathroom while she stayed behind "in shock".
Prosecutor Meghan Hast said in an opening statement Ms Young was "scared and disgusted".
"[She] gave a dirty look and fled, running home and hysterically recounting what happened to her two friends."
Weinstein, 67, faces five charges relating to two accusers: that he raped a woman in March 2013 and forced oral sex on a TV and film production assistant in 2006.
The Shakespeare In Love and The English Patient producer could face life in prison if found guilty.
Ms Young is not one of the women pursuing criminal charges in the trial but prosecutors are using her claims to portray Weinstein as a serial offender.
However, she is one of two accusers in a separate sexual assault case against Weinstein in Los Angeles, which was announced last month.
Since 2017, more than 80 women have accused Weinstein of sexual misconduct.
Weinstein denies all charges against him and has said any sexual encounters were consensual.
The trial is seen as a milestone in the #MeToo movement in which women have accused powerful men in business, entertainment, media and politics of sexual misconduct.