Charisma Carpenter alleges Joss Whedon "abused his power" on the Buffy and Angel sets: "The disturbing incidents triggered a chronic physical condition from which I still suffer"

TVLine

In a series of posts on Instagram and Twitter, Carpenter writes that she stands with Ray Fisher, who accused Whedon of “gross, abusive, unprofessional and completely unacceptable” behavior on the Justice League set. "For nearly two decades, I have held my tongue and even made excuses for certain events that traumatize me to this day. Joss Whedon abused his power on numerous occasions while working on the sets of Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Angel. While he found his misconduct amusing, it only served to intensify my performance anxiety, disempower me, and alienate me from my peers. The disturbing incidents triggered a chronic physical condition from which I still suffer. It is with a beating, heavy heart that I say I coped in isolation and, at times, destructively." Carpenter went on to state that " Joss has a history of being casually cruel. He has created hostile and toxic work environments since his early career. I know because I experienced it first-hand. Repeatedly. Like his ongoing, passive-aggressive threats to fire me, which wreaks havoc on a young actor’s self-esteem. And callously calling me ‘fat’ to colleagues when I was four months pregnant, weighing 126 lbs. He was mean and biting, disparaging about others openly, and often played favorites, putting people against one another to compete and vie for his attention and approval." Whedon has yet to respond to the just-posted allegations.

ALSO:

• Buffy alum Amber Benson backs up Charisma Carpenter's allegations: "Buffy was a toxic environment and it starts at the top," Benson tweeted. "@AllCharisma is speaking truth and I support her 100%. There was a lot of damage done during that time and many of us are still processing it twenty plus years later. #IStandWithRayFisher #IStandWithCharismaCarpenter."
• Ray Fisher responds by calling Carpenter "one of the bravest people I know": "I am forever grateful for her courage and for her lending her voice to the Justice League investigation," he tweeted. "Read her truth. Share her truth. Protect her at all costs. 'It is time.'"