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Aziz Ansari responds to sexual misconduct claims

Aziz Ansari has responded to the sexual misconduct allegations made against him by a 23-year-old woman, who has chosen to remain anonymous, he went on date with last year.

In a statement sent to online publication The Fader, the comedian acknowledged he went on a date with the woman and they "engaged in sexual activity".

"In September of last year, I met a woman at a party," he said in the statement. "We exchanged numbers. We texted back and forth and eventually went on a date. We went out to dinner, and afterwards we ended up engaging in sexual activity, which by all indications was completely consensual."

Aziz Ansari, here at an event in Los Angeles last year, has responded to claims of sexual misconduct. Source: Getty
Aziz Ansari, here at an event in Los Angeles last year, has responded to claims of sexual misconduct. Source: Getty
Ansari, here in New York City in December, admitted he was
Ansari, here in New York City in December, admitted he was

Ansari admitted he was "surprised and concerned" to learn "she felt uncomfortable".

"The next day, I got a text from her saying that although 'it may have seemed okay,' upon further reflection, she felt uncomfortable," he continued. "It was true that everything did seem okay to me, so when I heard that it was not the case for her, I was surprised and concerned. I took her words to heart and responded privately after taking the time to process what she had said."

Aziz Ansari, here at the 2018 Golden Globes, has responded to the sexual misconduct claims made against him. Source: Getty
Aziz Ansari, here at the 2018 Golden Globes, has responded to the sexual misconduct claims made against him. Source: Getty

"I continue to support the movement that is happening in our culture," he said. "It is necessary and long overdue."

Reports by TMZ and Babe magazine emerged on Monday morning, the woman went on a date with the comedian last year which ended at his New York City apartment, where she quickly became "uncomfortable" with his sexual advances before he forcibly performed oral sex on her.

The anonymous woman, who was then 22, claims she used both verbal and non-verbal cues to show her discomfort at the situation but they were "ignored".

"I know I was physically giving off cues that I wasn't interested," she told Babe. "I don't think that was noticed at all, or if it was, it was ignored."

The woman alleges the 34-year-old kept pursuing her despite her resistance and Ansari motioned for her to perform oral sex on him.

The comedian is seen here out in New York City in November last year. Source: Getty
The comedian is seen here out in New York City in November last year. Source: Getty

"I think I just felt very pressured," the woman who is identified as 'Grace' told the publication.

Despite her reservations and after more sexual advances from Ansari the woman remembers saying to the comedian, "You guys are all the same, you guys are all the "f***ing same".

The woman says she eventually left in an Uber in tears.

The next day the woman messaged Ansari, to tell him of her discomfort.

Babe published the messages on their Instagram.

"Last night might've been fun for you, it wasn't for me," she wrote.

"When we got back to your place, you ignored clear non-verbal cues; you kept going with advances. You had to have noticed I was uncomfortable."

Ansari wore a 'Time's Up' badge to the Golden Globes last week. Source: Getty
Ansari wore a 'Time's Up' badge to the Golden Globes last week. Source: Getty

She also wrote she wanted to make him "aware so maybe the next girl doesn't have to cry on the ride home".

Ansari responded to her messaging apologising.

"I'm so sad to hear this," he wrote. "All I can say is, it would never be my intention to make you or anyone feel the way you described. Clearly, I misread things in the moment and I'm truly sorry."

According to TMZ, the woman decided to come forward with her story after seeing Ansari wearing a "Time's Up" badge while attending the Golden Globes last weekend.

He won the award for Best Actor in a Television Series Musical or Comedy for his role in Master of None.

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