Rose McGowan has issued an apology to Asia Argento over a statement she released August 27 about Jimmy Bennett’s sexual assault claim against Argento. McGowan’s statement mentioned that Argento received unsolicited nude text messages from Bennett when he was just 12 years old, something McGowan discovered in text messages between her partner, Rain Dove, and Argento. McGowan now acknowledges that fact was not true.
“I had misunderstood the messages that Asia exchanged with my partner Rain Dove, which made clear that Jimmy had sent Asia inappropriate text messages only after they met up again when he was 17 (still legally a minor in California, but notably different from a 12 year old),” McGowan writes.
“In my statement, I challenged why Asia had not acted as I think any responsible adult would if they received sexually explicit messages from a 12 year old, which of course do not apply in the same way as when the situation involves a 17 year old,” she continued. “I deeply regret not correcting my mistake sooner and apologize to Asia for not doing so.”
Argento responded to McGowan by saying she was “grateful” for the apology, although she mentioned that had McGowan apologized sooner than she might not have been labeled a pedophile by people online or lost jobs such as her gig as a judge on “The X-Factor.”
“Now go on, live your life and stop hurting other people, will you Rose?” Argento said. “Best wishes.”
McGowan’s apology arrived a couple days after Argento gave her first television interview with “DailyMay TV” about the sexual assault allegation. Former child actor Bennett alleges Argento assaulted him in 2013 at a California hotel. Bennett was 17 years old at the time of the incident, while Argento was 37. The age of consent in California is 18 years old. Argento denies the claim and told “DailyMail TV” it was Bennett who made advances on her. She also said the “lies” McGowan shared in her statement were destroying her life.
Earlier this month, Argento issued a statement saying she would file a lawsuit against McGowan if she did not retract her statement. Argento has not said whether or not she will move forward with a lawsuit now that McGowan has admitted to getting some of her facts wrong. You can read their new statements below.
.@asiaargento pic.twitter.com/yn96UGUJ7a
— rose mcgowan (@rosemcgowan) September 27, 2018
Now go on, live your life and stop hurting other people, will you Rose? Best wishes.
— Asia Argento (@AsiaArgento) September 27, 2018
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