Sutton Foster addresses Scott Rudin controversy
This morning, actress Sutton Foster addressed the Scott Rudin controversy and her decision to privately handle the situation rather than post anything publicly on social media.
Over the last couple of weeks, the industry has been buzzing over the explosive exposé by The Hollywood Reporter that detailed disturbing allegations of workplace misconduct by Rudin. The allegations included multiple incidents involving intimidation and physical acts of aggression.
After the allegations outraged many within the entertainment industry, Rudin announced he would be “stepping back” from active roles with his Broadway productions, including the upcoming The Music Man revival starring Sutton Foster and Hugh Jackman.
According to The Hollywood Reporter, ”Foster did take a stand and said she would leave the highly anticipated musical if Rudin didn't take a seat.”
This morning, during an Instagram Live video, Foster briefly addressed the controversy and explained her reasoning for not doing so publicly.
“I needed to just step away to really address how I wanted to handle the situation,” she told fellow performer Beth Nicely, founder of the fitness site The Limit. “I didn’t feel like I needed to post it so that it would happen. I didn’t feel like that was something I needed to do because it becomes like a reactionary thing. I needed to step back make sure the decision I made was mine and not based on the noise of social media.”
When it came to Rudin stepping back from the upcoming revival she said, “It’s an unbelievably unfortunate situation and the only positive outcome is the one that happened. And I know Hugh(Jackman) feels the same way and I know we’ve both committed to creating an amazing environment for everybody involved.”
"The Music Man" marquee at the Winter Garden Theatre (Photo: Gene Reed)
Many on social media, including myself, were asking for Foster, Jackman, as well as a bevy of Broadway stars to speak out on the situation. Especially after others had done so and Tony-winner Karen Olivo resigned from Moulin Rouge in protest.
Foster apologized for not “trumpeting my feelings” but added that she needed a “clear mind and step away.”
“I’ve never had to deal with anything like this before and I think 46 years on this earth deserves that, “she said. “I’m mature enough to take the time and I think people should allow it.”
Towards the end of the brief interview, Foster thank others for speaking out.
“Thank you for everybody’s voice, I think it’s so important and know that everyone has their own process on how to deal with shit,” she said. “You gotta give people time and space and it’s a crazy-ass world out there. Until you’re in that situation, it’s so easy to point fingers, so easy to make assumptions, and people can do that till forever.”
Scott Rudin has not detailed what “stepping away” means nor has he announced who will be taking over his duties with The Music Man. The show will begin performances on December 20, 2021, and officially open on February 10, 2022.
The entire video clip is below. (No captions available)