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Harvey Weinstein 'does not recall' pressuring Salma Hayek to do 'Frida' sex scene

By Annie Martin
Salma Hayek recounted Harvey Weinstein's alleged behavior on the set of "Frida" in an op-ed published Tuesday. File Photo by Jim Ruymen/UPI
1 of 3 | Salma Hayek recounted Harvey Weinstein's alleged behavior on the set of "Frida" in an op-ed published Tuesday. File Photo by Jim Ruymen/UPI | License Photo

Dec. 14 (UPI) -- Harvey Weinstein says he "does not recall" pressuring Salma Hayek to film a sex scene in the 2002 movie Frida, which starred the actress as Mexican artist Frida Kahlo.

The 65-year-old producer responded in a statement through his rep Wednesday after Hayek accused Weinstein of sexual harassment, including the demanding of a "senseless" lesbian sex scene in the film, which Weinstein's company Miramax produced.

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"Mr. Weinstein does not recall pressuring Salma to do a gratuitous sex scene with a female costar and he was not there for the filming," the rep said, according to Deadline. "However, that was part of the story, as Friday Kahlo was bisexual and the more significant sex scene in the movie was choreographed by Ms. Hayek with Geoffrey Rush."

Hayek recounted her alleged experience with Weinstein in an op-ed for The New York Times published Tuesday. She said the producer insisted on including the lesbian sex scene after she rejected his repeated sexual advances and multiple attempts to shut down the movie.

"He offered me one option to continue. He would let me finish the film if I agreed to do a sex scene with another woman. And he demanded full-frontal nudity," the actress wrote.

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"He had been constantly asking for more skin, for more sex," she said. "But this time, it was clear to me he would never let me finish this movie without him having his fantasy one way or another. There was no room for negotiation."

Weinstein was fired from his company The Weinstein Co. in October after multiple women, including actresses Ashley Judd and Gwyneth Paltrow, accused the producer of sexual harassment and abuse.

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