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James Franco Claims He’s ‘Changed’ After Sexual Assault Accusations: ‘It’s Hurtful to Hear You’re Angry’

Posted on by Gerres
James Franco Claims He’s ‘Changed’ After Sexual Assault Accusations: ‘It’s Hurtful to Hear You’re Angry’

Written by Alesia Stanford for Dailymail.Com

Published: | Updated:

James Franco says he has changed after sexual assault allegations cut short his Hollywood career.

The 46-year-old actor, who was dumped by pal Seth Rogan after he was sued in 2019 by five young women accusing him of abusing his power as a teacher and mentor, said the scandal forced him to reconsider his priorities.

“The fact that you say you are angry is hurtful,” he said Diversity in a wide-ranging interview published Friday.

“But ultimately, that’s what I needed to stop going down the path I was going.”

The Oscar nominee settled the lawsuit in 2021, paying the women $2.235 million.

James Franco Claims He’s ‘Changed’ After Sexual Assault Accusations: ‘It’s Hurtful to Hear You’re Angry’

James Franco, 46, said he has changed following sexual assault allegations in 2019 (pictured in Rome, October 25)

After being rejected by Hollywood and then going through the Covid-19 lockdown, the Karantina star said she is putting her free time to good use.

“Whatever happened to me before, I had to change my whole life.” – he claimed.

“So I’m proud of the work I’ve done during this time. And yes, I haven’t worked in movies, but I’ve certainly put in a lot of work to change who I am.

“I had a good career until, let’s say, the last eight years (before the break),” he told the publication. But I found it very difficult to enjoy it.

“I was a workaholic; I was driving all the time. And even when there were good moments – like a movie that people liked or, I don’t know, (be) nominated for an award or whatever, any good moments that I wish I could appreciate – I just didn’t do it because I had this weird a situation where I always needed more.

“At the end of the day, I think I’m grateful in a way because it gave me a chance to do whatever private work I wanted to do and really change what I needed to change,” he said.

I don’t want this to sound like a cliché, but honestly, that’s been my experience. Sometimes life delivers things to you and the delivery system is very painful. It really hurts,” admitted the “127 Hours” star.

“But ultimately, from the bigger picture I’m talking about, maybe it’s for the best. Who am I to say that?

“The fact that you say you're angry is hurtful,” Franco told Variety. “But ultimately that was what I needed to stop going down the path I was going down”; (Pictured in Milan in January)

“The fact that you say you’re angry is hurtful,” Franco told Variety. “But ultimately that was what I needed to stop going down the path I was going down”; (Pictured in Milan in January)

The actor said that the scandal allowed him to work on himself. I had to change my entire way of life. So I'm proud of the kind of work I did during that time. And yes, I haven't worked in movies, but I've certainly put in a lot of work to change who I am.

The actor said that the scandal allowed him to work on himself. I had to change my entire way of life. So I’m proud of the kind of work I did during that time. And yes, I haven’t worked in movies, but I’ve certainly put in a lot of work to change who I am.” (pictured in 2022)

In 2019, he was sued by five young women, accusing him of abuse of power as a teacher and mentor. Settled lawsuit in 2021; In the photo from October 25

In 2019, he was sued by five young women, accusing him of abuse of power as a teacher and mentor. Settled lawsuit in 2021; In the photo from October 25

Franco worked temporarily in Europe. His latest film, Hey Joe, premiered on October 25 at the Rome Film Festival.

He plays the title character, an alcoholic World War II soldier who returns to Italy to find the son he fathered there before returning to his native New Jersey.

The actor also starred in the film The Price of Money: A Largo Winch Adventure, which premiered in France but not in the US.

Franco focused on other projects such as drawing and painting. He also launched a streetwear fashion line with his friend Kyle Lindgren.