Armie Hammer is speaking out for the first time since he was accused of sexual abuse, revealing he was abused when he was 13.
The disgraced actor was first accused of psychological abuse and rape from previous romantic partners in 2021. Hammer also faced social media scrutiny after Instagram messages he allegedly sent went viral detailing sexual fantasies.
The accusations led to Hammer’s exit from several productions including movies like “Shotgun Wedding,” where he was slated to star opposite Jennifer Lopez, and series including Paramount+’s “The Offer.” He was also dropped by his agency, WME.
The actor told Airmail News, in an interview published Saturday, that experiences he endured during his formative years “set a dangerous precedent” in his life.
“I’m now grateful for everything that’s happened to me, ” Hammer said in the interview, quoting Alcoholics Anonymous’ 12-step program. “Pain is the touchstone of spiritual progress.”
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Hammer said he was sexually abused by a youth pastor for nearly a year when he was 13.
“What that did for me was it introduced sexuality into my life in a way that it was completely out of my control,” he said. “I was powerless in the situation. I had no agency in the situation.”
Hammer said that his parents dismissed him when he told them the pastor made him feel uncomfortable by responding that the pastor was a “man of God” and that it was “nice” that the pastor wanted to give him attention.
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Being sexually abused as a kid, Hammer said, made his “sexual interest” be “about being in control, because being out of control was very dangerous for me and very uncomfortable.”
Courtney Vucekovich, who told Page Six in 2021 she dated Hammer for a few months in 2020, said dating the actor began with “charming” and “grooming” behavior before exhibiting behavior that was “darker and heavier and consuming.”
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Many of the women who spoke out against Hammer said they went through therapy and hospitalization for programs geared toward PTSD and trauma. The allegations included stories of Hammer carving his first initial onto one of the woman’s bodies. Vucekovich told Page Six that Hammer allegedly told her he wanted “to break my rib and barbecue and eat it.”
The actor said the allegations led him to have ideations of suicide, recalling an attempt he made February 2021. Hammer also said the aftermath left him “massively in debt.”
“There was a point in all of this where I had to have a friend help me buy groceries,” Hammer said. “No one will hire me. No one will insure me. I can’t get bonded for a project— nothing.”
If you or someone you know may be struggling with suicidal thoughts, you can call or text the U.S. National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 988 any time day or night, or chat online at 988lifeline.org.
Contributing: Erin Jensen, Charles Trepany, David Oliver
Story Credit: usatoday.com