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‘My soul was faraway from me’: Former mannequin testifies Weinstein sexually assaulted her as a teen

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‘My soul was faraway from me’: Former mannequin testifies Weinstein sexually assaulted her as a teen



NEW YORK (AP) — A former mannequin tearfully testified Thursday that Harvey Weinstein sexually assaulted her when she was 16 years outdated, calling it essentially the most “horrifying factor I ever skilled” to that time.

4 years later, she mentioned, Weinstein assaulted her once more.

Kaja Sokola detailed the allegations in entrance of a jury for the primary time as she testified at Weinstein’s #MeToo retrial. She is the second of three accusers to testify, and the one one who wasn’t a part of the onetime Hollywood honcho’s first trial in 2020.

READ MORE: Harvey Weinstein’s rape retrial opens with added allegations from former model

Weinstein faces a felony intercourse act cost based mostly on the later allegation — forcibly performing oral intercourse on Sokola at a Manhattan lodge in 2006, simply earlier than her twentieth birthday. The sooner alleged assault was past authorized closing dates for a possible felony cost.

Weinstein has pleaded not responsible and denies sexually assaulting anybody.

His attorneys are attributable to begin questioning Sokola on Friday. They’ve mentioned that the entire former film studio boss’ accusers consented to sexual encounters in hopes of advancing their careers.

The Polish-born Sokola started modeling at 14 and was quickly flying around the globe for photograph shoots and trend exhibits. However she informed jurors she was all the time extra concerned with performing, so she was hopeful when she was launched to Weinstein at a New York nightclub in 2002 and he invited her to lunch to speak about performing.

As a substitute, he steered her to his Manhattan residence and informed her to take her garments off, saying that actors needed to be comfy disrobing in movies, she testified.

Sokola took off her shirt and adopted him into a rest room as a result of, she mentioned, “I used to be 16 years outdated, and I used to be alone with a person for the primary time, and I didn’t know what else to do.” She mentioned that she informed Weinstein she objected to what was taking place, however that he put his hand inside her underwear and made her contact his genitals.

Sokola mentioned she noticed Weinstein’s eyes — “black and scary” — watching her in a rest room mirror because it occurred. Afterward, she mentioned, he informed her to maintain quiet, saying he’d made Hollywood careers and will assist her performing goals come true.

“I felt silly and ashamed and prefer it’s my fault for placing myself on this place,” Sokola testified by way of sobs, bringing a tissue to her face, as riveted jurors scribbled notes.

Weinstein, 73, appeared down and away as she spoke, urgent his left thumb and index finger towards his face like a defend.

Sokola, now 39, grew to become emotional once more as questioning turned to the 2006 allegation. She mentioned she had stayed in contact with Weinstein due to her performing goals.

“I by no means needed the rest from Harvey Weinstein aside from to actually say if I’ve an opportunity to be an actress or no,” mentioned Sokola, who finally grew to become a psychotherapist. She vowed that she had “completely not” ever had any romantic or sexual curiosity in him.

In 2006, Weinstein organized for her to be an additional for a day within the movie “The Nanny Diaries,” and he individually agreed to satisfy Sokola and her visiting elder sister.

After the three chatted, Sokola mentioned, Weinstein informed her he had a script to point out her in his lodge room, and he or she went up with him.

There, she mentioned, Weinstein pushed her onto a mattress and stripped off her boots, her stockings, her underwear, and one thing indelible.

“My soul was faraway from me,” Sokola testified.

She mentioned he held her down whereas ignoring her pleas of “please don’t, please cease, I don’t need this.” Sokola mentioned she tried to push him away however was no match towards Weinstein’s bodily heft.

She rejoined her sister however mentioned nothing about being assaulted, each siblings testified. Sokola mentioned she didn’t wish to inform her sister that Weinstein had handled her with such disrespect.

Sokola went to authorities a couple of days into Weinstein’s first trial. Prosecutors halted their investigation after Weinstein was convicted, however revived it when New York’s highest court docket reversed the decision final yr.

She first detailed the 2002 allegation in a lawsuit a couple of years in the past, after a refrain of public accusations towards Weinstein emerged in 2017 and fueled the #MeToo motion.

Sokola finally obtained $3.5 million in compensation.

One other accuser, Miriam Haley, testified final week that Weinstein compelled oral intercourse on her in 2006. The third accuser within the case, Jessica Mann, is anticipated to testify later. She alleges Weinstein raped her in 2013.

The Related Press usually doesn’t title sexual assault accusers with out their permission, which Haley, Mann and Sokola have given.

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Alex Superb Shuts Down Hero Narrative As Cassie Wraps Testimony

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Alex Superb Shuts Down Hero Narrative As Cassie Wraps Testimony


After Cassie spent 4 days sharing her testimony in Diddy‘s trial, Alex Superb has launched an announcement via her legal professional, Doug Wigdor, praising his spouse’s energy. Shortly after concluding her ultimate day of taking the stand, Alex addressed speculations about his emotions as he sat and listened to Cassie recount her experiences with Diddy.

RELATED: 5 Things To Know About Cassie’s Music Career And Why She Only Released One Album Under Diddy

Alex Superb Delivers Heartfelt Assertion After Cassie’s Testimony

Alex Superb laid his feelings naked, admitting he’s been on fairly a wild journey throughout the trial. Whereas Alex is beaming with delight and love for Cassie, the health coach admits he was fired up about her having to come back nose to nose together with her alleged abuser.

“I’ve felt profound anger that she has been subjected to sitting in entrance of an individual who tried to interrupt her,” he stated, per CNN. However Alex made it clear that Diddy didn’t dim his spouse’s gentle regardless of what she’s accused him of. “You didn’t break her spirit nor her smile that lights up each room,” he added.

Alex Credit Cassie’s Power Throughout The Trial

Alex went on to reward the mom of his youngsters, saying they couldn’t contact the soul of a lady who offers the perfect hugs and is a doting mother to their two kids. “You didn’t break the lady who has made me a greater man,” he stated. He let it’s recognized that Cassie’s energy has been unmatched all through.

And for many who’ve been pushing the savior narrative on social media, Alex made certain to answer the feedback. He known as it an “insult” to his spouse, who has labored arduous to beat the trauma stemming from her decade-long relationship with Diddy.

He stated she fought demons solely somebody as chilly because the imprisoned music mogul might throw her approach. However now, her life is “surrounded by love, laughter, and our household,” Alex shared.

Alex Denies “Savior” Function In Cassie’s Journey

Alex additionally didn’t shrink back from the web chatter. He particularly addressed questions on how he felt listening to Cassie recount the alleged “freak-off” experiences with Diddy. Alex stated the hypothesis about his personal feelings was irrelevant. In actual fact, he referred to the entire discuss as an “insult.”

“I didn’t save Cassie, as some have stated. To say that’s an insult to the years of painful work my spouse has completed to avoid wasting herself. Cassie saved Cassie. She alone broke free from abuse, coercion, violence and threats. She did the work of combating the demons that solely a demon himself might have completed to her. All I’ve completed is love her as she has beloved me.”

Alex made it clear that her spirit is untouchable, it doesn’t matter what Cassie’s been via. Furthermore, he’s proper there by her facet as they shut this chapter of their lives. And with child quantity three resulting from pop any day now, Alex had one ultimate request: respect their privateness.

“We respect the entire love and assist we’ve obtained, and we ask that you just respect our privateness as we welcome our son right into a world that’s now safer due to his mother,” he stated.

RELATED: Social Media Is Reacting To Footage Of Alex Fine Leaving The Courthouse Following Day 1 Of Diddy’s Trial (VIDEO)

What Do You Assume Roomies?



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Lauren Sánchez’s Bachelorette Get together Kicks Off with Katy Perry and Kim Kardashian (Unique)

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Lauren Sánchez’s Bachelorette Get together Kicks Off with Katy Perry and Kim Kardashian (Unique)



NEED TO KNOW

  • Lauren Sánchez is preparing for her upcoming nuptials
  • The fiancée of Jeff Bezos celebrated her bachelorette get together in Paris on Thursday, Might 15
  • A supply solely tells PEOPLE that the celebration was “very relaxed and really Parisian”

Lauren Sánchez is able to stroll down the aisle!

The previous information anchor, 55, celebrated forward of her wedding ceremony to Amazon founder Jeff Bezos, 61, with a bachelorette get together at Lafayette’s in Paris on Thursday, Might 15.

“The ambiance was very relaxed and really Parisian,” a supply solely tells PEOPLE of the occasion.

“It was a pre-wedding all-girl get together for 13,” the supply says, with a visitor checklist that included Kim Kardashian, Kris Jenner, Katy Perry and Eva Longoria.

On the restaurant, the ladies drank “espresso martinis and all people acquired up and danced when Lauren requested for ‘Earth, Wind and Hearth,’ ” the insider says. Their meal concluded with a shock vanilla meringue cake for Sánchez.

The supply tells PEOPLE that Sánchez wore a white double-breasted coat with gold buttons. Kardashian, 44, donned a bronze lace corset and leggings, whereas Perry, 40, sported a pink Empire-style gown with a corset prime.

By no means miss a narrative — join PEOPLE’s free daily newsletter to remain up-to-date on one of the best of what PEOPLE has to supply​​, from celeb information to forcing human curiosity tales.

The kids’s e book writer posted pictures on Instagram alongside her buddies, celebrating the event. She included a number of black and white snaps of the group of girls on a scenic rooftop, in addition to a few pictures contained in the dinner. The submit ended with a photograph of her, Perry, Kardashian and Jenner, 69, posing collectively.

“Without end begins with friendship, surrounded by the ladies who’ve lifted me up, illuminated my path in darkish instances, and formed my coronary heart alongside the best way. 🤍,” she captioned the Thursday, Might 17 Instagram post.

After the festivities, she added to her Instagram Tales an image of the menu they loved through the celebration.

Lauren Sánchez Bachelorette get together in Paris on Might 15, 2025.

Lauren Sanchez/Instagram


PEOPLE beforehand confirmed that Bezos, 61, and Sánchez sent out their wedding invitations, and so they’re planning to marry in Italy off the coast of Venice on their $500 million yacht named Koru in June. The extremely anticipated nuptials are anticipated to have a star-studded guest list.

The couple went public with their relationship in 2019, and Bezos proposed to Sánchez in Might 2023, PEOPLE confirmed on the time. They have been vacationing within the South of France when the billionaire popped the query, and Sánchez was photographed rocking her engagement ring as she frolicked along with her fiancé on the yacht quickly after.

A supply told PEOPLE that Bezos and Sánchez have been “on cloud 9 — so completely happy and head over heels in love” after their engagement information.

“Her engagement ring is past beautiful. And big! She retains enjoying with it and taking a look at it,” the insider added. “You may inform she loves it.”

Sánchez’s upcoming nuptials cap a busy few months. Along with the upcoming wedding ceremony, she just lately led a star-studded all-female expedition that included Perry and Gayle King into area. She additionally just lately authored her first kids’s e book — The Fly Who Flew to Space — a few fly who’s “dangerous at college and form of wanders and will get caught in an area capsule.”

Bezos shares four kids — three sons and one daughter — with ex-wife MacKenzie Scott, whereas Sánchez shares son Nikko with ex Tony Gonzalez and children Evan and Ella with ex-husband Patrick Whitesell.



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Strictly star Wynne Evans ‘suing producers over alleged medical negligence’

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Strictly star Wynne Evans ‘suing producers over alleged medical negligence’


Strictly Come Dancing is beneath recent scrutiny after Wynne Evans reportedly launched authorized motion in opposition to tour producers for alleged medical negligence.

Wynne is finest generally known as the face of the Go Evaluate adverts.

The 53-year-old Welsh tenor is claimed to have suffered a double fracture and two torn ligaments after a fall in the course of the Strictly Reside tour earlier this 12 months.

Nonetheless, insiders declare that as a substitute of receiving correct medical consideration, Wynne was bandaged up and instructed to hold on performing, regardless of being in “agony”.

Wynne Evans on Thiis Morning
The Strictly star is claiming that producers pressured him to bounce with a fractured foot (Credit score: ITV)

Wynne Evans ‘suing’ Strictly Tour producers

“He was mainly strapped up and instructed to maintain smiling and stick with it,” a supply near the singer instructed The Sun.

“The next night time, he needed to pull out of Glasgow, then the following day all of it kicked off, simply as his foot began to swell up.”

Wynne left the tour shortly after a video emerged of him making a lewd comment about Strictly co-stars Janette Manrara and Jamie Borthwick. After the scandal, Wynne issued an apology for his phrases.

He’s now mentioned to be suing Phil McIntyre Entertainments, the corporate answerable for the tour.

The declare consists of private damage and a scarcity of correct medical provision backstage. He’s additionally requesting a reported £11,000 in unpaid efficiency charges.

“Wynne’s attorneys instructed him he had a official damage declare. His physio prices are spiralling. He hasn’t been allowed to work throughout this time. So he’s determined to sue the manufacturing firm, one thing that received’t be affecting taxpayers,” the supply added.

Wynne Evans and Katya Jones in the Strictly Live Tour
Wynne left the Strictly Reside Tour after making a lewd remark about his co-stars (Credit score: Cowl Pictures)

Strictly accidents

An MRI scan later confirmed the severity of the damage: a damaged foot, a fractured ankle, and two snapped ligaments. Wynne continues to be reportedly struggling to stroll with out ache almost 4 months on from the incident.

Along with the authorized motion, Wynne was suspended from his BBC Radio Wales present after the Birmingham incident. The station has since seen a noticeable drop in listener figures. Many followers have linked the decline to his absence.

In the meantime, Wynne’s case isn’t the primary time a Strictly star has danced by means of damage.

Zara McDermott reportedly carried out with a stress fracture. She underwent surgical procedure for the damage.

Paralympian Will Bayley suffered “life-altering” injuries after a fall throughout rehearsals.

Wynne’s authorized motion comes at a turbulent time for the Strictly model, as questions mount over obligation of care and behind-the-scenes protocols throughout reside performances.

ED! has contacted the BBC, Wynne’s solicitors and the Phil McIntyre Leisure for remark.

Learn extra: BBC announces Strictly Come Dancing professional dancers for 2025 as two new pros join lineup

Wynne Evans Quits Strictly Come Dancing Tour Following Backlash | Lorraine

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