Kevin Spacey at the 2017 Tony Awards. Credit:AP But on Monday afternoon, Spacey released a statement saying he was "horrified" to hear Rapp's story. "I honestly do not remember the encounter, it would have been over 30 years ago," he said. "But if I did behave then as he describes, I owe him the sincerest apology for what would have been deeply inappropriate drunken behaviour, and I am sorry for the feelings he describes having carried with him all these years." It is the first time Rapp has spoken publicly about his interactions with the Oscar winner. The star of Star Trek: Discovery, who was catapulted into the spotlight after starring in the original musical Rent, said he was going public with the allegations to try to "shine another light" on Hollywood following the Harvey Weinstein scandal.

Anthony Rapp in a scene from the 2006 film Rent. Credit:Sony Pictures "He picked me up like a groom picks up the bride over the threshold," Rapp told BuzzFeed. "But I don't, like, squirm away initially, because I'm like, 'What's going on?' And then he lays down on top of me. "He was trying to seduce me. I don't know if I would have used that language. But I was aware that he was trying to get with me sexually." Rapp said he eventually managed to push Spacey off him and to leave the apartment.

"My head was spinning," he said. "I have a memory of turning around and [thinking to myself], 'What was that? What am I supposed to do with that? What does it mean?' "The older I get, and the more I know, I feel very fortunate that something worse didn't happen. "And at the same time, the older I get, the more I can't believe it. I could never imagine [that] anyone else I know would do something like that to a 14-year-old boy." Rapp said he had never talked to Spacey about that night in 1986, and is thankful he hasn't had anything to do with the House of Cards star since. However, he told BuzzFeed he did walk past Spacey during a rehearsal for the 1999 Tony Awards.

"He looked at me, and I thought I saw some form of recognition, and I quickly looked away," he said. "I passed him and went out the door. In retrospect, I'm very grateful that I wasn't alone with him. I don't know what the f--- I would have done." Spacey said the Buzzfeed story has encouraged him to address other things about his life. "I know that there are stories out there about me and that some have been fuelled by the fact that I have been so protective of my privacy," he said. "As those closest to me know, in my life I have had relationships with both men and women.

"I have loved and had romantic encounters with men throughout my life, and I choose now to live as a gay man. I want to deal with this honestly and openly and that starts with examining my own behaviour."