Selma Blair and Rachel McAdams 'harassed' by Hollywood director

A light has well and truly been shone on the issue of sexual abuse in Hollywood.

Just weeks after the Harvey Weinstein scandal rocked the industry, James Toback became embroiled in a slew of sexual harassment claims when The LA Times published a report that claimed 38 women had been assaulted by the film heavyweight.

The number has since risen dramatically, with elite actresses Selma Blair and Rachel McAdams, now stepping forward with stories of their own.

A spotlight has been shone on James Toback. Source: Getty
A spotlight has been shone on James Toback. Source: Getty

Talking to Vanity Fair, the leading ladies claimed the 72-year-old movie director had behaved inappropriately towards them during "auditions" in their early careers.

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Cruel Intentions actress Selma, 45, told the magazine she was forced to help him climax during a private meeting with him to discuss a part in Harvard Man because he had threatened to "kill" her.

Selma Blair has come forward to say she was assaulted by Toback. Source: Getty
Selma Blair has come forward to say she was assaulted by Toback. Source: Getty

After telling her to read the lines naked to help with her "confidence", the director then let him rub his manhood against her legs.

“You have to do this for me,” she said he told her. “You cannot leave until I have release.”

In her account of the incident, the mum-of-one described being terrified, saying she obliged because she was trying to "get out" of the room "without being raped.”

Sarah Michelle Gellar went on to get the role in the 2001 hit film. Source: Lions Gate
Sarah Michelle Gellar went on to get the role in the 2001 hit film. Source: Lions Gate

The Notebook actress Rachel's claims about Toback are similar, although she wasn't physically assaulted the way Selma described she was.

She too was auditioning for a role in Harvard Man when she went to the film maker's hotel room under his insistence.

Rachel, 38, alleged he made her sit on the floor once she arrived, complimenting her looks and her acting before telling her he had "masturbated countless times" that day whilst thinking of her.

Rachel McAdams told the magazine a similar story from that time. Source: Getty
Rachel McAdams told the magazine a similar story from that time. Source: Getty

The meeting became very uncomfortable then, with the Mean Girls star saying Toback asked her to read lines to him whilst he pleasured himself in the bathroom.

After, he said, "Will you show me your pubic hair?” to which Rachel says she said "no" and left.

The Two Girls and a Guy director has denied the mounting accusations against him.

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