Current:Home > ContactMichael Rainey Jr. speaks out after being groped on livestream: 'I am still in shock' -Pinnacle Profit Strategies
Michael Rainey Jr. speaks out after being groped on livestream: 'I am still in shock'
View
Date:2025-04-18 07:25:45
Actor Michael Rainey Jr. is speaking out after a video appeared to show he was sexually assaulted on a livestream.
In an Instagram story on Monday, the "Power" star, 23, said he is "still in shock" and doesn't "fully know how to process what happened last night." The incident occurred on a stream broadcast by Tylil James, who hosts "The Tylil Show" on the live video platform Twitch and has more than 100,000 followers there.
A video that circulated on social media showed Rainey standing in a room full of people during the stream when a woman appears to grab his crotch, making him visibly uncomfortable. The woman's hand is obscured in the footage by two young children.
"This is an unfortunate situation that I do not condone in any way," the actor said. "I can't take it lightly because I know I would be in serious trouble if the roles were reversed."
The alleged assault occurred while other participants in the stream were engaged in conversation, and it did not appear they initially noticed what happened.
Need a break? Play the USA TODAY Daily Crossword Puzzle.
He added, "The fact is, sexual assault is never okay, regardless of gender or status. We're all human, and we should respect each other. Most importantly, we should always respect ourselves."
USA TODAY has reached out to representatives for Rainey.
Rainey is known for his role as Tariq St. Patrick in the "Power" franchise, including "Power Book II: Ghost." The first part of its final season held its premiere in New York City last week and premiered Friday on Starz.
He has also had roles on "Orange Is the New Black" and in the films "The Butler" and "Barbershop: The Next Cut."
'Power Book II: Ghost'Season 4: Release date, cast, trailer, where to watch new episodes
In an Instagram story, James apologized to Rainey and said the woman who seemingly groped him is his sister. "My little sister was completely wrong and out of line," he said. "What she did was very inappropriate and unacceptable. I am truly embarrassed and disgusted by her actions."
James pledged to take "extreme precautions with future streams to avoid similar issues" and said he has banned his sister from participating. "I do not condone any type of assault," he wrote.
'Power Book II: Ghost':Mary J. Blige on her role as a 'queenpin' survivor in sequel series
In the comments section of Rainey's most recent Instagram post, some fans urged the actor to take legal action.
"Please press charges on her, because if the roles were reversed you would've been in jail," one comment, which received more than 3,000 likes, read.
Another fan wrote, "Sorry that happened to you Michael, what she did was wrong and i hate that it's taken lightly or as a joke when this happens to men."
James said in his Instagram story that he respects "whatever direction Michael wants to go in this situation."
If you or someone you know has experienced sexual violence, RAINN’s National Sexual Assault Hotline offers free, confidential, 24/7 support to survivors and their loved ones in English and Spanish at: 800-656-HOPE (4673) and Hotline.RAINN.org and en Español RAINN.org/es.
veryGood! (7351)
Related
- Military service academies see drop in reported sexual assaults after alarming surge
- 'Real horsepower': See video of runaway horses galloping down Ohio highway
- 'He just punched me': Video shows combative arrest of Philadelphia LGBTQ official, husband
- Librarian sues Texas county after being fired for refusing to remove banned books
- Trump wants to turn the clock on daylight saving time
- Luann de Lesseps and Mary-Kate Olsen's Ex Olivier Sarkozy Grab Lunch in NYC
- Beyoncé and Jay-Z made biggest real estate move in 2023 among musicians, study finds
- Kacey Musgraves calls out her 'SNL' wardrobe blunder: 'I forget to remove the clip'
- Justice Department, Louisville reach deal after probe prompted by Breonna Taylor killing
- Indiana lawmakers aim to adjourn their session early. Here’s what’s at stake in the final week
Ranking
- Paula Abdul settles lawsuit with former 'So You Think You Can Dance' co
- Taylor Swift is related to another tortured poet: See the family tree
- OMG! Nordstrom Rack’s Spring Sale Includes up to 70% off Kate Spade, Free People, Madewell, & More
- Dallas Cowboys QB Dak Prescott welcomes first child, a baby girl he calls MJ
- Finally, good retirement news! Southwest pilots' plan is a bright spot, experts say
- Hurt by inflation, Americans yearn for pensions in retirement. One answer may be annuities
- Iditarod champion Dallas Seavey kills moose in self-defense after incident with dog team
- Migrant crossings along the southern border increase as officials prepare for larger spike
Recommendation
US appeals court rejects Nasdaq’s diversity rules for company boards
Which Super Tuesday states have uncommitted on the ballot? The protest voting option against Biden is spreading.
Russian drone attack kills 7 in Odesa, Ukraine says
RuPaul Charles opens up about addiction, self-worth: 'Real power comes from within'
Woman dies after Singapore family of 3 gets into accident in Taiwan
Landon Barker Shares He Has Tourette Syndrome
TLC's Chilli is officially a grandmother to a baby girl
GM recalls nearly 820,000 pickup trucks over latch safety issue