Armie Hammer Breaks Silence After Sexual Abuse Allegations

Author: Alex Cooper

It’s been more than two years since Armie Hammer was accused by several women of sexual abuse. In an interview with Air Mail published Friday, Hammer denied that he was sexually abusive, but admitted to being emotionally abusive.

As Variety notes, the Los Angeles Police Department investigated the allegations.

The actor, 36, starred in the queer film Call Me by Your Name along with Timothée Chalamet. In the film, Hammer played the older love interest of Chalemet’s character in a film that’s gone down as a gay classic.

Besides the accusations of sexual harassment and abuse, Hammer has also been accused of having cannibalistic fetishes after messages were shared with media outlets.

Hammer told Air Mail that he had been molested by a youth pastor when he was 13. He explained to the newsletter that it was the abuse he suffered that made him interested in BDSM.

“What that did for me was it introduced sexuality into my life in a way that it was completely out of my control. I was powerless in the situation. I had no agency in the situation,” Hammer told the outlet. “Sexuality was introduced to me in a scary way where I had no control. My interests then went to: I want to have control in the situation, sexually.”

His godmother, Candace Garvey, confirmed to Air Mail that Hammer told her about the abuse previously.

In the interview, Hammer challenged the sexual abuse accusations against him. He told Air Mail that he never did anything criminal, but that he was “an a**hole.” Hammer said the rape allegation stemmed from a role-play “scene” with a woman, telling the Air Mail that she had planned the encounter.

The woman is Effie from the social media account House of Effie.

Air Mail said it obtained messages from Effie that dispute the accusations as well.

In 2021, after a number of women came forward with accusations of harassment and abuse, Hammer was dropped by his agency, WME, as well as several film and television projects.

He ended up selling timeshares in the Cayman Islands and said he spent time in rehab for drug and alcohol abuse in May 2021.

Hammer told Air Mail that he had thoughts of suicide after the scandal.

“I just walked out into the ocean and swam out as far as I could and hoped that either I drowned, or was hit by a boat, or eaten by a shark,” Hammer said. “Then I realized that my kids were still on shore and that I couldn’t do that to my kids.”

Hammer was previously married to television personality Elizabeth Chambers for 10 years. They have two kids together. The couple split before news of the allegations broke.

“I’m here to own my mistakes, take accountability for the fact that I was an asshole, that I was selfish, that I used people to make me feel better, and when I was done, moved on,” the embattled actor said. “I’m now a healthier, happier, more balanced person. I’m able to be there for my kids in a way I never was…I’m truly grateful for my life and my recovery and everything. I would not go back and undo everything that’s happened to me.”

He also explained in the interview that Robert Downey Jr. did support him through the scandal.

“There are examples everywhere, Robert [Downey Jr.] being one of them, of people who went through those things and found redemption through a new path. And that, I feel like, is what’s missing in this cancel-culture, woke-mob business,” Hammer told Air Mail. “The minute anyone does anything wrong, they’re thrown away. There’s no chance for rehabilitation.”

“When they throw someone like me on the fire to protect themselves, what they don’t realize is happening is all they’re doing is making the fire bigger,” Hammer said. “And that fire is now out of control and it’s going to burn everyone. And they’re just continually throwing people on it as sacrifices to protect themselves.”

Hammer, along with his family, are now the subject of a new Discovery+ docuseries, House of Hammer. The program delved not only into Hammer’s alleged actions, but looks into the alleged abuse of five generations of men in the Hammer family.

If you have been a victim of sexual abuse or know someone who has, you can text “STRENGTH” to the Crisis Text Line at 741-741 and speak with a certified crisis counselor.

If you are having thoughts of suicide or are concerned that someone you know may be, resources are available to help. The 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline at 988 is for people of all ages and identities. Trans Lifeline, designed for transgender or gender-nonconforming people, can be reached at (877) 565-8860. The lifeline also provides resources to help with other crises, such as domestic violence situations. The Trevor Project Lifeline, for LGBTQ+ youth (ages 24 and younger), can be reached at (866) 488-7386. Users can also access chat services at TheTrevorProject.org/Help or text START to 678678.

Original Article on The Advocate
Author: Alex Cooper