Charisma Carpenter has made some serious accusations against Joss Whedon with a powerful statement on social media. As People shares, Carpenter— who played "Cordelia Chase" on Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Angel— took to Twitter on Wednesday to speak out against the director, talking about the trauma she endured for the first time.
Carpenter says Whedon caused her chronic pain
Carpenter alleges that over the years she worked with Whedon, he caused her serious emotional harm. "For nearly two decades, I have held my tongue and made excuses for certain events that traumatize me to this day," she began her statement. "Joss Whedon abused his power on numerous occasions while working together on the sets of Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Angel."
The actress then explained that Whedon's treatment of her "only served to intensify my performance anxiety, disempower me and alienate me from my peers, explaining that his actions "triggered a chronic physical condition from which I still suffer." She characterized the director as "mean and biting, disparaging about other openly" and said that he "often played favorites."
Carpenter says she "felt powerless and alone"
Carpenter went on to say that Whedon often made "passive-aggressive threats" towards her about being fired, and was even more abusive while she was pregnant. "He proceeded to attack my character, mock my religious beliefs, accuse me of sabotaging the show, and then unceremoniously fired me the following season once I gave birth," she shared.
The actress also said she was forced to work late into the morning despite her pregnancy— a move made by Whedon that she called "retaliatory"— and "felt powerless and alone" because of the abuse he inflicted upon her. "With no other option," she said, "I swallowed the mistreatment and carried on."
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Carpenter supported by former Buffy cast members
Carpenter then shared that she made her statement stand in solidarity with Ray Fisher, after he accused Whedon of "abusive, unprofessional" behaviour on the set of Justice League. She mentioned that Fisher being fired from The Flash was "the last straw for her," and that she even participated in an investigation about his claims led by WarnerMedia.
"As a single mother whose family's livelihood is dependent on my craft, I'm scared," Carpenter concluded her statement. "Despite my fear about its impact on my future, I can no longer remain silent. This is overdue and necessary. It is time." Fisher responded to her on Twitter, calling the actress "one of the bravest people I know."
One of Carpenter's former castmates also came forward to support her, acknowledging the "toxic environment" that Whedon created on set. "@AllCharisma is speaking truth and I support her 100%," Amber Benson— who played "Tara Maclay" on Buffy— tweeted in response. "There was a lot of damage done during that time and many of us are still processing it twenty plus years later."
Channeling her iconic character once more!
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