Rose McGowan released an explosive statement Monday afternoon, detailing what she allegedly knew about her friend Asia Argento's sex abuse scandal.

The prominent #MeToo movement leader faced backlash last week after she urged the public to 'be gentle' with Argento - who reportedly paid a sum of $380,000 to her former child co-star, Jimmy Bennett. Bennett claims he was sexually assaulted by Argento in California when he was 17 and Argento, 37.

In the statement, McGowan, who is distancing herself from her fellow feminist friend, claims she had recently learned about Argento's relationship with Bennett from her romantic partner, Rain Dove.

'I received a phone call and series of messages from the being I’ve been dating - Rain Dove. They said that they had been texting with Asia and that Asia had revealed that she had indeed slept with Jimmy Bennett.

'Rain also shared that Asia had stated that she’d been receiving unsolicited nudes of Jimmy since he had been 12. Asia mentioned in these texts that she didn’t take any action on those images.'

McGowan, Dove and Argento had spent time together in Berlin last month after the tragic suicide of Argento's boyfriend and celebrity chef, Anthony Bourdain.

McGowan said about the alleged explicit images from the child: 'No reporting to authorities, to the parents, or blocking of Jimmy’s social media. Not even a simple message "Don’t send me these images. They are inappropriate."

'There were a few other details revealed as well that I am not at liberty to mention in this statement as investigators do their job.'

The Charmed starlet, 44, formed a close bond with the Land of the Dead actress, 42 - both Harvey Weinstein accusers - within the past year in the wake of the #MeToo movement.

Rose McGowan released an explosive statement Monday regarding Asia Argento's sex abuse scandal. McGowan (R) and Argento (L) are pictured on March 8, 2018 as part of the International Women's Day in Rome

Argento's accuser, Jimmy Bennett, is pictured in Los Angeles. Bennett stepped out Monday, a day after the Italian actress was fired from X Factor Italy

A defiant Bennett sported pink hair and a 'Happily Never After' black and white tee as he puffed on a cigarette

Argento was axed from X Factor Italy after Bennett (left) claimed Argento (right) slept with him in a California hotel room when he was aged 17 and she was 37

Argento claims she had been receiving 'unsolicited' nude pictures from Bennett since he was 12 (Bennett pictured April 24, 2008 in New York City)

Rose McGowan's explosive new statement on Asia Argento's sex abuse scandal

'I would first of all like to start off this statement saying thank you for your patience. A lot of people have been demanding answers and a response to the recent events surrounding Asia Argento’s sexual assault case. Many people believe that because we have been close in each other’s lives over the past year that perhaps I am affiliated with this incident or being complicit. I am not.



I first met Asia on a red carpet, but it’s only been the past year through our shared experience of the HW case that we have bonded. Asia was a person who understood my trauma in a way that many others didn’t. We were able to talk through them together and champion each other’s voices. We even got matching dot tattoos! Something I had posted on my IG just about a month ago. It’s no secret to anyone that Im a blunt, candid, brazen individual vocally- and I think that’s what I really related to Asia the most with. They were edgy, confrontational, and strong willed with very little care about how much other’s liked or disliked them. Rare things to find in women in this industry or the world.



But then everything changed. In an instant. I received a phone call and series of messages from the being I’ve been dating- Rain Dove. They said that they had been texting with Asia and that Asia had revealed that she had indeed slept with Jimmy Bennet. Rain also shared that Asia had stated that she’d been receiving unsolicited nudes of Jimmy since he had been 12. Asia mentioned in these texts that she didn’t take any action on those images. No reporting to authorities, to the parents, or blocking of Jimmy’s social media. Not even a simple message “Don’t send me these images. They are inappropriate.” There were a few other details revealed as well that I am not at liberty to mention in this statement as investigators do their job.



Rain Dove said that they were going to go to the police with these texts once we were done speaking no matter what. But that they wanted me to be aware of them so that I may be able to take further actions. I responded with “You have to. You must.” I wasted no time. It wasn’t hard to say or support. What was hard was the shell shock of the realisation that everything the MeToo movement stood for was about to be in jeopardy. An hour after our conversation was finished Rain Dove confirmed that they had turned over the texts and were in conversation with officers. Almost 48 hours later the texts were in the press.



I had introduced Rain Dove to Asia Argento last month, three days after the passing of Anthony Bourdain. I was with Asia to comfort and support her. Rain Dove came to support us both. It was an emotionally chaotic time and Rain Dove suggested we go to Berlin for a couple days to take the mourning out of Asia’s home and into a neutral space. So we did. While in Berlin Asia had mentioned that she was being extorted for a large sum of money every month by someone who was blackmailing them with a provocative image. No one in the room knew who the extortionist was. Now we know it to be a reference to this case.



Rain Dove continued on communicating with Asia occasionally after meeting her- and their conversations have been their own. I know Rain is a person to whom many high profile entities consult when they are experiencing social pressures because Rain is good at guiding them through the research confrontation, rehabilitation, and solution process. While they are a person who is good at keeping a secret for those dedicated to making things right- they are also justice driven. So it was not a surprise to me that I received that call and the messages from them. I’ve referred to Asia in the past as “My Ride or Die” and said very clearly that their friendship comes first. I know that coming to me with those messages must have been hard for Rain because of that so I commend them for their bravery.



To the people who have checked in with me to see if I’m alright- the answer is thank you and Yes. I’ll be fine. Its sad to lose a friend connection, but whats even more sad is what happened to Jimmy Bennet. Whether or not the extortion case is true- it wasn’t fair and it wasn’t right. It is the type of thing I fight against alongside so many. The reason I haven’t released a statement is because I’ve frankly been extremely humbled by this event. I had to take a step back and realise that in my own activism while I fight hard with passion- I need to evolve. In the past I have been occasionally angry. As a victim I was justified in fiery feelings. But I know that those accused are the friends, parents, and family members of other people. There absolutely should be no leeway or tolerance for sexual assault. Hard stop. NONE. Victims also shouldn’t be told how they should react or what they should say about their abusers. However as allies to the victim and voyeurs of an event we should find a better way to balance support of the victim with due process for the accused. I’ve never claimed to be perfect. This week especially has made me come to terms with the fact that we all have a lot of growing to do, including myself.



At this current moment it may be easy to focus on the drama of the situation. The conspiracy. But the real focus should be on supporting justice. Supporting honesty. And supporting each other. We can not let this moment break the momentum of a movement that has freed so many people. We must use it to allow us to become stronger. More compassionate. More aware. And More organised.



Asia you were my friend. I loved you. You’ve spent and risked a lot to stand with the MeToo movement. I really hope you find your way through this process to rehabilitation and betterment. Anyone can be be better- I hope you can be, too. Do the right thing. Be honest. Be fair. Let justice stay its course. Be the person you wish Harvey could have been.' Advertisement

McGowan claims Dove and Argento began speaking more after the healing trip this summer, when information about the scandal came out.

'I had introduced Rain Dove to Asia Argento last month, three days after the passing of Anthony Bourdain. I was with Asia to comfort and support her. Rain Dove came to support us both.

'It was an emotionally chaotic time and Rain Dove suggested we go to Berlin for a couple days to take the mourning out of Asia’s home and into a neutral space. So we did.

'While in Berlin Asia had mentioned that she was being extorted for a large sum of money every month by someone who was blackmailing them with a provocative image. No one in the room knew who the extortionist was. Now we know it to be a reference to this case,' McGowan wrote.

McGowan claims Dove told her he was going to the police about the texts he received from Argento - just 48 hours before the scandal had gone public.

Bennett first shared his statement with The New York Times, who broke the news of Argento's payment August 19.

'(Dove) wanted me to be aware of them so that I may be able to take further actions. I responded with "You have to. You must." I wasted no time,' McGowan said.

'It wasn’t hard to say or support. What was hard was the shell shock of the realisation that everything the MeToo movement stood for was about to be in jeopardy.'

In the statement, McGowan urged Argento to 'be honest' and 'the person you wish Harvey could have been.'

She added: 'Asia you were my friend. I loved you. You’ve spent and risked a lot to stand with the MeToo movement... I really hope you find your way through this process to rehabilitation and betterment.'

The Citizen Rose star also said Monday on Twitter: ' I believe in justice.'

Bennett stepped out in Los Angeles Monday, a day after is was revealed Argento was axed from X Factor Italy.

A defiant Bennett sported a pink hairdo and a 'Happily Never After' black tee as he puffed on a cigarette.

McGowan (pictured right on February 7, 2018 in New York City) said she learned about Argento's relationship with Bennett through her partner, Rain Dove (pictured left on February 7, 2018 in New York City)

McGowan and her partner Dove are pictured on March 26, 2018 in New York City

McGowan shared this tweet late Monday afternoon which said: 'I believe in justice'

Argento was axed from singing competition show after claims emerged that she sexually abused the then- 17-year-old child actor, who once played her son.

The Italian actress was due to appear as a judge on the new series of the talent show which begins airing September 6.

Sources at Sky Italia and FremantleMedia Italia told Variety that they had decided to pull her following a report that she paid former child actor and musician Bennett a $380,000 hush money settlement after they allegedly had sex when he was a teen boy.

Argento has since admitted the payout, which she said was made by her former boyfriend Anthony Bourdain, but denied she ever had sex with Bennett, claiming that the money was to help his career.

Sky Italia and FremantleMedia had previously issued a statement saying if Bennett's allegations were proven to be true, they 'would have no choice but to take note of it and put an end to the collaboration.'

X Factor has not released any official comment yet.

Argento will still appear in the first seven seven episodes of X Factor, which have already been filmed, and include the auditions stage.

There has been growing calls in Italy for Argento to be scrapped as judge but Sky Italia was reportedly in a difficult position because axing the actress from the show entirely would have meant that the 40,000 people who had attended the castings with her would have to re-audition.

Argento has been axed from X Factor Italy after claims emerged that she sexually abused the former child actor who once played her son

Instead, she will be replaced with a new judge for the live portion of the show, which begins October 25.

The judge set to replace her looks likely to be Italian singer Morgan - her ex-husband.

Argento has not commented on her removal from 'X Factor.'

The move comes less than a week after Argento was forced to pull out of an appearance at Le Guess Who music festival in the Netherlands last weekend.

She cancelled hours after the publication of text messages that were allegedly sent by the director and actress to a friend on Monday reveal that Argento did in fact have sex with Bennett.

TMZ published the texts, including one that reads: 'It wasn't raped but I was frozen. He was on top of me. After, he told me I had been his sexual fantasy since was 12.'

One day later, Argento denied ever having sex with Bennett in a statement while suggesting the young man extorted her and late boyfriend Bourdain, who paid out the settlement.

TMZ also published an image reported to be a post-coital photo of the two taken in May 2013.

Argento also allegedly claims to have been unaware that Bennett was a minor when they had sex in 2013 in the texts, despite raving about how talented the boy was when they met in 2003 on the set of The Heart is Deceitful Above All Things on Twitter just months before their encounter.

In that tweet, posted in August 2012, she wrote: 'At 7 you were already one of the most accomplished actors I'd ever met.'

'The public knows nothing, only what NYT wrote. Which is one-sided. The shakedown letter. The horny kid jumped me,' reads one text.

When asked if it was rape, the person reported to be Argento responds: 'I had sex with him and it felt weird. I didn't know he was a minor until the shakedown letter.'

The other person, who is not identified, then asks why she did not report the incident, which she responds to by saying she 'always felt bad for this Hollywood failed child actor, a casualty of the machine, of his parents.'

Then, in a move that seems to be directly out of the Harvey Weinstein's playbook, Argento allegedly reveals that a private investigator was hired by Bourdain to follow the boy and there are '80 pages' of notes in a text.

Argento also speaks of her plans should she lose work for this incident, stating that she would 'move to Africa or the Amazon forest' in one text.

This alleged text conversation took place just after The New York Times published its piece on Argento's settlement with Bennett.

'I strongly deny and oppose the contents of the New York Times article,' said Argento in a statement on Tuesday.

'I am deeply shocked and hurt by having read news that is absolutely false. I have never had any sexual relationship with Bennett.'

She goes on to state that Bennett went after her because of her relationship with Anthony Bourdain, a 'man of great perceived wealth' who 'had his own reputation as a beloved public figure to protect.'

Bourdain paid the settlement despite the fact that it represented almost half of his cash and savings at the time, with court papers submitted after the chef's death revealing $425,000 of his $1.2 million estate was in cash.

'Anthony personally undertook to help Bennett economically, upon the condition that we would no longer suffer any further intrusions in our life,' writes Argento in her statement.

Argento and Bennett met when they played a mother and her son in The Heart is Deceitful Above All Things

'I did not initially speak out about my story because I chose to handle it in private with the person who wronged me. My trauma resurfaced as she came out as a victim herself'

She says that at the request of both Bourdain and Bennett, the matter was settled privately

That payout was only a fraction of the $3.5 million that Bennett had requested in the notice.

'This is, therefore, the umpteenth development of a sequence of events that brings me great sadness and that constitutes a long-standing persecution,' claims Argento .

'I have therefore no other choice but to oppose such false allegations and will assume in the short term all necessary initiatives for my protection before all competent venues.'

TMZ reported on Tuesday that Argento told Bourdain she was 'too broke' to pay the settlement, and the two referred to Bennett as a 'donkey' in text messages.

The New York Times broke the news last Sunday that Argento had paid actor Jimmy Bennett $380,000 when he filed a notice of intent to sue back in November.

In that notice, Bennett claimed that he was sexually assaulted by Argento in a California hotel room in 2013, a decade after he first met her on the set of The Heart is Deceitful Above All Things.

Bennett was just 7 when he was cast to play the son of Argento's drug-addicted prostitute in the film, based on the popular novel by JT Leroy.

The film also starred Argento's then-boyfriend Michael Pitt, Winona Ryder, and McGowan's former fiancé Marilyn Manson.

Argento has a daughter Anna Lou Castoldi, 17, with singer Marco Castoldi and a 9-year-old son Nicola.

Argento has been at the forefront of the #MeToo for almost a year now after claiming she had been sexually assaulted by disgraced mogul Harvey Weinstein.

She was one of the first to go public with her story, telling The New York she was allegedly assaulted by Weinstein at the1997 Cannes Film Festival.

Argento's texts to a friend Friend: As in what does the public know and not know? Like which things are facts or not facts? It's an annoying question but I need to have a clear vision on what angles we have to send some folks to get good intel for us Argento: The public knows nothing, only what NYT wrote. Which is one sided. The shakedown letter. The horny kid jumped me F: So it was rape? Or an attempted secual action? A: I has sex with him it felt weird. i didn't know he was a minor until the shakedown letter. F: Either one is good enough to show You actively frowned upon his advances A: No it was all on snapchat. Disappeared I didn't report because I always felt bad for this Hollywood failed child actor, a casualty of the machine, of his parents I have 80 pages on him by a PI that Anthony hired F: Yeah we don't always think og ourselves in those time periods A: All of Anthony's emails pushing me to accept pay. My emails with Carrie where we disagreed with that Advertisement

Friend: Yeah still need to prove the money came from AB account Or affiliate account But this is looking rear for You This NYT will look like fools. You got This Argento: Carrie never wanted to do this, she wanted to go to the press first and show the extortion I was being threatened with F: Well next steps - request bank statements from Bennet that will show the account that deposited the money clearing your name as the briber And then find evidence that You rejected this person sexually at any point before Advertisement

A: Yes I am thinking about leaking through a trusted friend to the Guardian If I lose my job I will move to Africa or the Amazon Forest I want to be among the 90% of the world that doesn't give a f***about this s*** Not the connivig, sick 10% of the entitles westerners Entitled* F: Africa is gorgeous and absolutely safer than people give t credit for A: Ethiopia or Senegal Mapia in Brazil Advertisement





Friend: If there' anytime you've talked to your therapist about inappropriate advances before the whole thing that may be helpful Argento: Not before, during that meeting where he jumped me F: What's up with the photo taken in bed? I think that's one that will be harder to cushion. Images are annoyingly assumption nation A: You can see my tits. That's all. It Doesn't mean s*** He is standing up Advertisement A: It's beyond me. It's unfathomable F: You worked with him previously how did the age thing escape? I mean 16 is the age of consent in most countries around the world So I was actually shocked about the 17 thing A: 15 in France and Italy F: Oh whoa A: When I was 17 I wa with a 33 year old man for years I had just turned 17 Advertisement

Weinstein has denied these allegations.

Bennett's lawyer wrote in the notice that his client was sexually assaulted by Argento back in 2013 after being dropped off by a family member at a Marina del Rey hotel for a visit.

The teenager was unable to drive himself due to an eye condition which prohibits him from operating a motor vehicle.

The Times, citing a copy of the notice they were sent by an anonymous source, reported that Argento then sent the family member away and was alone with Bennett in her hotel room.

Argento then gave the minor 'alcohol to drink and showed him a series of notes she had written to him on hotel stationery.'

'Then she kissed him, pushed him back on the bed, removed his pants and performed oral sex,' said the report.

'She climbed on top of him and the two had intercourse,' according to the notice.

'She then asked him to take a number of photos.'

Argento and her alleged rapist Weinstein at the premiere of The Heart is Deceitful at Cannes in 2004 (above)

Argento took a number of photos of herself and Bennett after the alleged assault, including one of the two lying naked in bed.

She also posted five photos from the pair's meet-up to her Instagram that day, starting with one of herself in which she wrote: 'Waiting for my long lost son my love @jimmymbennett in trepidation #marinadelrey smoking cigarettes like there was no next week.'

In her second post she shared a selfie of herself with Bennett and wrote: 'Happiest day of my life reunion with @jimmymbennett xox.'

In that same post, one follower wrote: 'Asia cast him again!! xoxo.'

Argento replied: 'jimmy is going to be in my next movie and that is a fact, dig that jack.'

When she was then asked if the film would shot stateside, Argento responded: 'no we shoot the s*** in eye-2-ly 's @jimmymbennett's never been there - yet X.'

It was revealed on Tuesday that Argento's boyfriend Anthony Bourdain paid the $380,000 to settle the notice brought against his girlfriend by Bennett (pair above earlier this year just weeks before Bourdain took his life)

Bennett never worked with Argento again however, and then in November filed his notice after the actress' very public condemnation of her alleged rapist, Weinstein.

'His feelings about that day were brought to the forefront recently when Ms. Argento took the spotlight as one of the many victims of Harvey Weinstein,' stated Bennett's lawyer in the notice.

He then asked for $3.5 million in damages, sighting intentional infliction of emotional distress, lost wages, assault and battery.

The parties agreed to a settlement in April, and one month later Argento appeared at the closing ceremony of the Cannes Film Festival.

ASIA ARGENTO SAYS BOURDAIN URGED SEX ASSAULT SETTLEMENT 'I strongly deny and oppose the contents of the New York Times article dated 20 August 2018, as circulated also in national and international news. 'I am deeply shocked and hurt by having read news that is absolutely false. I have never had any sexual relationship with Bennett. 'I was linked to him during several years by friendship only, which ended when, subsequent to my exposure in the Weinstein case, Bennett - who was then undergoing severe economic problems and who had previously taken legal actions against his own family requesting millions in damages - unexpectedly made an exorbitant request of money from me. Bennett knew my boyfriend, Anthony Bourdain, was of great perceived wealth and had his own reputation as a beloved public figure to protect. 'Antony [sic] insisted the matter be handled privately and this was also what Bennett wanted. Anthony was afraid of the possible negativity that such person, whom he considered dangerous, could have brought upon us. We decided to deal compassionately with Bennett’s demand for help and give it to him. Anthony personally undertook to help Bennett economically, upon the condition that we would no longer suffer any further intrusions into our life. 'This is, therefore, the umpteeth development of a sequence of events that brings me great sadness and that constitutes a long-standing persecution. I have therefore no other choice but to oppose such false allegation and will assume in the short term and all necessary initiatives for my protection before all competent venues.' Advertisement

In a speech that garnered much praise at the time she said: 'In 1997, I was raped by Harvey Weinstein here at Cannes. I was 21 years old.'

Argento continued: 'Even tonight, sitting among you, there are those who have still to be held accountable for their conduct against women. You know who you are. But most importantly we know who you are. And we're not going allow you to get away with it any longer.'

The actress then said Weinstein was no longer welcome at the festival.

The Italian star told the New Yorker that Weinstein raped her in 1997 at a party hosted by Miramax at the Hotel Du Cap-Eden-Roc. She claims the mogul led her to an empty room and asked her to give him a massage.

She reluctantly agreed, and halfway through he began to perform oral sex on her after forcibly lifting up her skirt despite her repeated requests for him to stop.

Argento says that she became suspicious when the party she arrived at was just an empty hotel room, but was assured that people would soon be arriving by Weinstein.

Then, he emerged from the bathroom in a robe and holding a bottle of lotion says the actress, who was just 21 at the time.

'He asks me to give a massage. I was, like, 'Look man, I am no f***ing fool,'' said Argento.

'But, looking back, I am a f***ing fool. And I am still trying to come to grips with what happened.'

The actress, who is the daughter of famed Italian director Dario Argento, said that once Weinstein began performing oral sex on her there was no way for her to stop him because he was so much bigger than her.

'It wouldn't stop. It was a nightmare,' said Argento, who eventually decided to pretend she was enjoying the act in hopes that it would end.

When it was over, Argento said she said on the bed and told her attacker: 'I am not a whore.'

He laughed at her and said he would put that on a shirt according to Argento, who said that Weinstein contacted her for months after the attack and even began offering her expensive gifts.