Nine women are accusing Halle Berry's former manager, Vincent Cirrincione, of sexual misconduct.
The Washington Post reports that Cirrincione allegedly offered to manage the careers of at least nine minority women in exchange for sexual favors. According to many of the women, Cirrincione painted himself as the "father to all black actresses," since he played an integral role in Halle Berry and Taraji P. Henson's career.
Berry stopped working with Cirrincione over three years ago when she confronted him about an allegation she heard on a radio program.
"That news literally stopped me in my tracks," she said. "I immediately confronted Vince about it, and he denied it completely. But even with his denial, something didn’t feel right in my spirit, and with the possibility that it could be true, I immediately ended our over-25-year relationship." Berry continued to condemn her long-time manager on Twitter by citing that she's "livid that he used [her], and the role model he helped [her] become, to lure and manipulate innocent, vulnerable women of color for his predatory actions."
Henson, who worked with Cirrincione for two decades, has yet to make an official statement about the allegations. However, she told The Post that she "never had any issue with this on any level" and cited him as "a man who understood the black woman’s plight in the industry." Henson also said that Cirrincione often helped her pay for her rent, child-care fees and even her son’s school tuition.
Cirrincione has since denied the allegations.
"I have had affairs while in committed relationships, ones I am now ashamed to say are coming to light and shading my past and my reputation," he said in a statement to The Post. "I can say without a doubt that I have never used favors, sexual or otherwise, as a reason for managing anyone. I want to make it clear that not one of those relationships were anything but consensual."
He also apologized to the alleged victims and his former clients.
"I take responsibility for my part in the situation and I am not here to diminish anyone’s feelings or experiences," he said. "I apologize to these women, my past and present partner, my clients and employees for the pain this is bringing them. I was under the impression I was living my life as a supportive man to women. It is with a heavy heart that I see now I was wrong."
Read the entire investigation report here.
