Almost four years ago actor James Franco was accused of behaving in a sexually inappropriate manner by five women, in an article published by the Los Angeles Times in January 2018, including four students from his acting school Studio 4. Later he reached an agreement and settled a lawsuit with two former students for $2.2 million. This week, he gave an interview to The Jess Cagle Podcast on SiriusXM.
James Franco frankly spoke about his past. He said that he had not spoken up as he knew that he “needed to listen.” He had to spend time to examine his “behavior” as well as the “patterning” that he had ignored in the past. He said that he had been “doing a lot of work” for four years.
He also spoke of being sober and attending meetings to overcome his alcohol addiction. He mentioned that he had to face his “sex addiction” which was two decades old as he had cheated on everyone he dated before being with his current girlfriend Isabel Pakzad. They have been dating since 2017.
James Franco Makes Red Carpet Debut With Girlfriend Isabel Pakzad in Rare Public Appearance pic.twitter.com/Eagr8cMpdG
– Katlego Maseng 🧠(@KatlegoMaseng1) July 24, 2018
When he faced allegations of sexual misconduct and was sued in 2019, he had said that what was said about him was not “accurate.” However, he settled the lawsuit in July for $2.2 million. He had limited his exposure to the public after the allegations until recently when he sat down for an interview for The Jess Cagle Podcast which will debut on December 23.
He admitted that he did sleep with some of his students but he never thought about the power dynamics at that point of time. However, he said that he did not start his drama school with that intention.
James Franco also called it “hurtful” when his longtime friend, costar as well as collaborator Seth Rogen said that he would no longer work with him. The 43-year old actor had an illustrious career and starred in many blockbusters before allegations of his sexual misconduct came to the fore.
Admitting his mistakes and culpability has been the first step forward. It remains to be seen of Hollywood would forgive him and whether he will continue to give award winning performances in the future.
