Winona Ryder has candidly discussed her encounters with sexual harassment throughout her career.
In a recent interview with Esquire, published on August 29, the 52-year-old actress shared, “I had a couple of difficult experiences with people who were just outright sexually harassing me.” She recounted that these incidents occurred in her late 20s and again in her 30s, noting, “It wasn’t an assault, but it was incredibly inappropriate. It was wild.”
Ryder emphasized how her experiences allowed her to empathize with other victims, acknowledging her own privilege. “I was fortunate in that I was known, so it didn’t happen as frequently as it might have for someone just starting out,” she reflected. “But you still find yourself negotiating in your mind, contemplating the repercussions of speaking up while someone is behaving in a completely inappropriate manner.”
While the film industry often projects a glamorous image, it has been marred by numerous scandals over the years. Investigative reports by the New York Times and the New Yorker in 2017 exposed long-standing allegations of sexual assault and harassment against producer Harvey Weinstein. This ignited broader discussions on misconduct in Hollywood.
Ryder recounted that she became accustomed to deflecting unwanted attention, but there were limits. “If someone was being inappropriate or drunkenly flirting, I would laugh it off. That’s how I dealt with it,” she explained. “But physical contact crossed the line for me. It felt deeply invasive.”
Ryder also reflected on the challenges of dating during her younger years, particularly after achieving fame. “I went to the restroom and when I returned, I overheard him boasting about how he was going to score with Winona Ryder,” she recalled about a bar encounter. “I felt crushed. I thought we shared a real connection, but it made me question whether I would ever meet someone who knew me for who I am rather than just my celebrity status.”
Ryder noted that she only truly comprehended the gravity of her experiences after a recent conversation with her Beetlejuice costar, Jenna Ortega. “As I was discussing it, I realized, ‘Wow, that’s really messed up,’” she admitted.
While she refrained from naming the men involved in her harassment, Ryder admitted that these experiences left her disillusioned with the industry and reluctant to pursue more acting opportunities. She also spoke about her alleged blacklisting by Harvey Weinstein‘s former company, Miramax. “The one time I was supposed to meet with Weinstein, I arrived at the office and extended my hand. Afterward, I was screamed at by my agent. Apparently, I offended him by offering my hand,” she recalled.
Winona Ryder became a prominent actress in films featuring complex love stories after her appearances in Beetlejuice and Heathers during the 1980s. Off-screen, she has been searching for love while remaining true to herself. “I’m a serial monogamist,” she shared in a 2016 interview. “I was single for a while and dating…”
Ryder expressed uncertainty about what may have offended Weinstein at the time, believing he held a negative impression of her afterward. “I think I knew a bit too much,” she suggested.
In 2020, Weinstein was convicted for multiple counts of rape and sexual assault in New York, leading to a prison sentence. Following this, in 2022, he faced further convictions in California. Recently, in April, his New York convictions were overturned, and he is set to face a retrial this fall.
