Florence Pugh Addresses Cornell Lawsuit Amid 'East of Eden' Premiere
The actress, attending the premiere of her new Netflix series, spoke out about the alleged gang rape at Cornell University and urged men to join the conversation.
Florence Pugh attended the New York premiere of her new Netflix series "East of Eden" on Wednesday night, where she also addressed a civil lawsuit filed by a former Cornell University student alleging sexual assault. Pugh, who stars as Cathy Ames in the series, has been using her platform to draw attention to the case.
The actress walked the red carpet in a dramatic lime and grey Vivienne Westwood gown. The outfit featured a plunging neckline, corset detailing, and statement puff sleeves, flowing into a figure-hugging satin skirt. She accessorized with a gold choker necklace and styled her blonde hair in an elaborate up-do. Later in the evening, Pugh changed into a pink dress for the afterparty, where she appeared with her boyfriend, Finn Cole.
"East of Eden," based on John Steinbeck's 1952 novel, is a seven-episode series written and executive produced by Zoe Kazan, granddaughter of Elia Kazan. The series retells the biblical story of Cain and Abel, focusing on Cathy Ames's relationships and the family rifts they create across two generations. The show explores themes of love, betrayal, and the nature of good and evil.
Pugh, who also serves as an executive producer on the series, shared her thoughts on the Cornell lawsuit with her 10.7 million Instagram followers. She stated that the alleged incident was one that should provoke a strong reaction from everyone, regardless of gender.
"I’m processing quietly and watching everything and everyone and every man," Pugh said in a statement shared on social media. "This is really the moment where we need our men to be as horrified and as sickened as us. You need to be leading conversations about how we change the allowance and complicity of this behaviour as much as we are. How can you expect us to trust that it’s "not all men" when in moments like this, many of you stay quiet?"
During an appearance on "The View" on Wednesday, Pugh explained her reasons for speaking out. "I'm a woman, and this affects all women, women I know, women I don't know," she said. "The fear of rape lives in our bodies and when stories like this come out and they're not picked up in the way they should be picked up, it makes me feel scared, it makes me feel anxious, it makes me feel so much rage and I am lucky enough to do what I do, and I have a platform and I want to talk about it."
Pugh expressed gratitude to the show's hosts for addressing the topic, emphasizing that it remains an ongoing conversation until there is greater accountability for those who perpetrate sexual assault against women.
The civil lawsuit was filed earlier this month in New York Supreme Court against seven fraternity members and the university. The lawsuit alleges the student was drugged and sexually assaulted by the individuals nearly two years prior.