Atlantic Releases Yearlong Investigation Into Bryan Singer

'A troubled man who surrounded himself with vulnerable teenage boys'
By Newser Editors,  Newser Staff
Posted Jan 23, 2019 10:05 AM CST
Atlantic Releases Yearlong Investigation Into Bryan Singer
This Dec. 2, 2013, file photo shows Bryan Singer at the Los Angeles premiere of "The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug" at the Dolby Theatre.   (Photo by Matt Sayles/Invision/AP, File)

"After the Harvey Weinstein news came out, everyone thought Bryan Singer would be next." So one "prominent actor" told Alex French and Maximillian Potter for the Atlantic in regard to the director. Next wasn't exactly right, but a giant investigation into allegations against Singer has arrived: The journalists spent 12 months digging into claims against the 53-year-old behind huge hits like the Usual Suspects, Superman Returns, and Bohemian Rhapsody, speaking with more than 50 sources in the process. Among them were four men who are publicizing their claims for the first time; two of them say that Singer, who was in his 30s, knew they weren't 18 when they had sex with him. Another man, Victor Valdovinos, describes being allegedly molested by Singer "throughout the day" while filming a locker-room scene on the set of Apt Pupil in 1997; Valdovinos was 13, and he details a life that spiraled after the alleged abuse.

Other sources go further, alleging rape. French and Potter go on to describe allegations from sources like "Andy" and "Eric"; sketch out Singer's purported connections with the allegedly nefarious doings of the Digital Entertainment Network; and outline how things fell apart during production of Bohemian Rhapsody. Singer's lawyer was absolute in saying Singer has never had underage sex, and has no preference for such partners. French and Potter share their take: "The portrait of Singer that emerges is of a troubled man who surrounded himself with vulnerable teenage boys, many of them estranged from their families. Their accounts suggest that Singer didn't act alone; he was aided by friends and associates who brought him young men." Read the article in full here. (More Bryan Singer stories.)

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