In an interview with TMZ, Larry King applauded Julie Chen, the wife of former CBS executive Leslie Moonves, for staying with her husband amid the sexual harassment and assault allegations he is facing.
When asked about Chen's decision to stand by Moonves, the 84-year old King stated, "She’s his wife, I think she’s a stand-up girl." He then went as far as singing the words, "stand by your man," after his seventh wife, Shawn King, admitted that she would defend Larry should similar accusations surface against him. “I’ve known Les a long time,” King said. “I like Les, I don’t like what happened 20 years ago and I think those things, if true, are terrible.”
Moonves has been one of the most powerful and well-paid men in media for decades. As the CEO and Chairman of CBS, Moonves presided over many of the network's successful developments and used his earnings to expand his resume full of lucrative endeavors. Moonves also made a name for himself within the #MeToo movement after co-founding the Commission on Eliminating Sexual Harassment and Advancing Equality in the Workplace.
However, when Ronan Farrow of The New Yorkerpublished an exposé in July citing the accounts of six women accusing Moonves of sexual harassment or assault, the man who had been applauded for his role in combating the prevalence of sexual misconduct was exposed for allegedly using his position of power to mistreat women. Farrow published a follow-up article in September, detailing the accounts of six additional women accusing Moonves of sexual misconduct between the mid-80's and early-2000's. The former executive then stepped down from his role at CBS.
Julie Chen, television personality and host of CBS' Big Brother, has been married to Moonves since 2004. Following the release of Farrow's first article, Chen released a statement in support of her husband. “Leslie is a good man and a loving father, devoted husband and inspiring corporate leader. He has always been a kind, decent and moral human being. I fully support my husband and stand behind him and his statement,” she said. Additionally, in her first on-air appearance since her husband's resignation, Chen returned to Big Brother Thursday evening and signed off using her full name, Julie Chen Moonves.
CBS has chosen to donate $20 million from Moonves' severance benefits to the #MeToo movement.
