Vincent Cirrincione, a top Hollywood manager, has been accused of sexual harassment by 9 different women, Washington Post reported.
Cirrincione is the former manager of Halle Berry, and has managed Taraji P. Henson for 20 years. He also served as Henson's producing partner, and his girlfriend Pam Sharp is Henson's publicist.
Nine minority women–8 African American women and 1 Asian American woman–claim the 70-year-old manager engaged in inappropriate behavior between 1993-2011, Allegations range from forcefully kissing them and performing lewd sex acts in front of them to promising successful careers in exchange for sexual relationships. None of the women have filed criminal charges against the manager as yet.
One of the accusers, 27-year-old Tamika Lamison, was introduced to Cirrincione at a Tony Awards dinner. She had high hopes that he could ignite her career, given his prominent status. Lamison claims she performed a poem for Cirrincione at his hotel, and was interrupted when Cirrincione stuck his tongue down her throat.
Cirrincione has been regarded the "father to all black actresses." The women say that he certainly leaned into that nickname, often name-dropping Berry and Henson, as proof of his ability to cultivate successful careers. One women said Cirrincione claimed she resembled Berry. “Of course that was like your dream to have Halle Berry’s manager say, ‘Oh, my God, you remind me of Halle,’ ” the woman said.
Lamison stated that not only being a women, but black women, might have made it more difficult for Cirrincione's accusers to share come forward.
“Any kind of sexual misconduct or harassment that’s talked about from women is automatically suspect,” said Lamison. “For black women, it seems like we are even more marginalized when it comes to something like that. Historically, how we have been treated and looked at — and to some degree oversexualized — makes it difficult.”
When asked about the allegations against Cirrincione, Henson said, “I’ve never had any issue with this on any level. He totally respected me.” The "Proud Mary" star added she had never heard of, nor witnessed her manager's alleged inappropriate behavior. She said that Cirrincione was a "father figure" who helped her with rent, child-care fees and her son’s school tuition during the early stages of her career.
Lamison offered a different take on the man. “You have people who say he just made a pass, that he was just making an offer. But that’s not just what happened,” Lamison said. “He is abusing his power in a way that is really damaging.”
For her part, Berry said that she ended her professional relationship with Cirrincione over three years ago after learning about a misconduct allegation against him. The Oscar winner said that she was "saddened" to hear of even more allegations.
“While Vince never made an inappropriate gesture toward me, nor did I hear about this type of behavior from any woman or man while we worked together, I have always had a no-tolerance policy, when it came to such matters,” said Berry. “My heart goes out to any person who is subject to this type of behavior, and I stand in support of their strength and bravery.”
Cirrincione took responsibility for his "part," but denied offering to trade career help for sexual favors.
"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," Cirrincione said in a statement. "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."
The power broker added "I take responsibility for my part in the situation and I am not here to diminish anyone's feelings or experiences. 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."
