Jared Leto Faces Renewed Allegations as BBC Documentary Sparks Industry Debate

The BBC’s documentary *Jared Leto: Hollywood’s Dark Secret* premiered without pre-publicity and presents the accounts of ten women, four of whom describe criminal sexual conduct by the actor. The women’s stories span 2002-2016, when Leto was in his 30s and 40s. One woman says she was assaulted in a motel bathroom at age 17; another recounts statutory-rape-age sex in Leto’s California home. Two additional accounts describe explicit phone calls made when the accusers were 16 and 19. The film obscures the women’s faces and uses pseudonyms such as “Clara” and “Isabel.” According to Deadline, the BBC counted 120 separate accusations made online relating to Leto’s behavior.

Associated Press

Accusations first entered public view after Los Angeles DJ Allie Teilz posted on Instagram that she had been assaulted by Leto at 17. That post prompted an Air Mail story in which nine women described inappropriate behavior. The allegations did not prevent Leto from promoting Disney’s *Tron: Ares*, though he skipped the publicity for Amazon’s *Masters of the Universe*.

Deadline Hollywood

The BBC reported that Leto and his representatives did not respond to its requests for comment before the film’s release; the AP’s request for comment on Leto’s denial was also unanswered.

Associated Press

• “The Jared Leto case is a bellwether on where we are on the MeToo movement. There has been a lot of pushback in that area, and how the industry responds to the allegations about Jared Leto will tell us where the industry — both music and film — stands when serious allegations are made against one of their most powerful people.” — Mike Radford

Deadline Hollywood

• “We were really fortunate to have had that amount of time,” — Jessica Sartenaer

Deadline Hollywood

• “These investigations are about building trust with people, with contributors, with sources. They are entrusting you with their most personal stories, something they have carried with them for years.” — Mike Radford

Deadline Hollywood

• “The courage of the women who have come forward for this investigation is just immeasurable, coming up against a very powerful man like Leto. I do think what they have done will empower many other women to speak their truth.” — Jessica Sartenaer

Deadline Hollywood