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Fans Furious as ABC Star Named As Awards Host, Despite Disturbing Sexual Assault Claims

Anthony Anderson Emmys Hosting Backlash
Credit: ABC

On December 13, it was announced that sitcom star Anthony Anderson would be hosting the 75th Primetime Emmy Awards. Anderson has starred in a number of hit shows, like Law & Order. Disney fans may know him as one of the stars of ABC’s Black-ish, Grown-ish, and Mixed-ish. Anderson has had a long career in Hollywood, and is currently hosting the game show We Are Family alongside his mom.

Anthony Anderson Black-ish

Credit: ABC

Unfortunately, the hosting announcement didn’t go over well with some people.

Gabrielle Perry, founder of the Thurman Perry Foundation and a political commentator, voiced her discontent on X (formerly Twitter).

There were TONS OF WITNESSES when he and his manager tried to gang rape a woman in a trailer on set and the crew kicked the door in as she ran naked and screaming.

I’ll be front row when his day comes.

Perry is referring to an incident that occurred in 2004, when a woman claimed that Anderson and director Wayne Witherspoon had sexually assaulted her in a trailer on the set of the film Hustle & Flow. The woman said that Anderson and Witherspoon “lured” her into a trailer, where they both assaulted her while she kicked and screamed.

Anthony Anderson Hustle & Flow

Credit: Paramount Pictures

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An unnamed witness told the police that he heard screaming coming from the trailer. The witness said that they unlocked the trailer and, when they did, a woman ran out of the trailer naked and screaming.

Anderson denied the claims and a judge ended up dismissing the charges saying that there was “no probable cause.”

Anthony Anderson Law & Order

Credit: NBC

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Then, in 2018, another woman walked into a Los Angeles Police Department precinct and claimed that Anderson had assaulted her the previous year. The two allegedly met at an event thrown by the Barbershop actor. The two reportedly met up a second time to discuss potential business opportunities, and that is when the woman claimed the assault occurred.

Anthony Anderson Barbershop

Credit: MGM

Anderson has denied all the claims against him. He said that the first woman — who also sued Anderson — was just “trying to make a fast buck.” For the second assault claim, Anderson’s rep said that the allegations were false and that the actor “unequivocally disputes” them.

The 75th Primetime Emmy Awards will air on January 15, 2024.

Do you think Anthony Anderson should host the Primetime Emmy Awards? Let us know in the comments.

About Krysten Swensen

A born and bred New England girl living the Disney life in Southern California. I love to read, to watch The Golden Girls, and love everything to do with Disney and Universal. I also love to share daily doses of Disney on my Disney Instagram @BrazzleDazzleDisney!