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‘Orange Is the New Black' Star Accuses Geoffrey Rush of Sexual Misconduct

In once instance, Stone said Rush walked into a shared dressing room holding a towel and danced in front of her naked

Australian actress Yael Stone has accused actor Geoffrey Rush of sexual misconduct in a new interview with the Australian Broadcasting Corporation's "7.30." 

Stone, who plays inmate Lorna Morello in the hit Netflix show "Orange Is the New Black," accused Rush of exposing himself to her backstage during the production of "Diary of a Madman," sending her sexually suggestive messages and trying to spy on her as she showered.

"The thought of not responding to one of his text messages and coming in the next day feeling that I'd let him down, that I'd disappointed him, was not an option for me," she said in the interview. 

In once instance, Stone said Rush walked into a shared dressing room holding a towel and danced in front of her naked. She also alleged that he used a mirror to look in on her showering after a show. 

Rush denied the allegations in a statement and alleged that "some instances have been taken out of context."

"However, clearly Yael has been upset on occasion by the spirited enthusiasm I generally bring to my work," he said. "I sincerely and deeply regret if I have caused her any distress. This, most certainly, has never been my intention."  

It's not the first time Rush has faced an accusation of sexual harassment. 

Sydney's Daily Telegraph newspaper reported that an actress, who was later revealed to be Eryn Jean Norvill, accused him of sexual misconduct when the two co-starred in a production of "King Lear." Rush denied the allegations, but said he may have referred to Norvill as "yummy." 

Stone told the ABC that she eventually emailed Rush in December 2017 to address his behavior during the production of "Diary of a Madman." 

"I don't think you ever said or did anything with the intention of making me feel uncomfortable but [the fact is] I can no longer dance around that it did," she wrote. 

She said she never received a response. 

Stone told the ABC that she was speaking out with the hope that other young performers don't feel obligated to stay quiet about behavior that makes them uncomfortable. 

"On the one hand I have a very strong instinct to protect my family, I have some strong issues of guilt and shame around this particular issue," she said. "On the other hand it's become clear that it's in the public interest I talk about these matters."

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