His career in film and theater expands for nearly 40 years with countless awards and recognitions but it all comes to a halt today. The once beloved actor is now joining the list of many men who have sexually harassed women in the entertainment industry. It was reported that in 2015 he held auditions for a community theatric performance for the play ‘Hair’ and had unruly regulations for the actresses involved. Women are speaking against Vereen with stories of naked acting exercises and demeaning comments towards their sex appeal and weight. Two women went into detail with reporters describing one on one sessions with Vereen where he pressed his erected self against their legs telling them, “Get over yourself. Nudity doesn’t have to be sexual.” In a statement towards the claims he doesn’t deny as he says,” I would like to apologize directly to the female cast members of the musical ‘Hair’ for my inappropriate conduct when I directed the production in ‘Hair’.” According to one blog site he then says, “While it was my intention to create an environment that replicated the themes of that musical during the rehearsal process, I have since come to understand that it is my conduct, not my intentions, which are relevant here. So I am not going to make any excuses because the only thing that matters here is acknowledging and apologizing for the effects of my conduct on the lives of these women.”
More women are coming forward as the story unfolds.
