Hilary Swank Dropped by PR Firm Over Chechnya Incident
Hilary Swank hasn’t had the best few weeks.
Last month, she was widely criticised by human rights groups after she made a paid appearance at the birthday party of Chechen president Ramzan Kadyrov. The 37-year-old actress apologized almost immediately and promised to donate her fee to charity, but the pressure was not relieved. Eventually, Swank fired Jason Weinberg, her manager of eight years, along with two of his associates who had also done work for her.
However, even these sacrificial lambs were not enough. Yesterday, Swank herself got fired by her public relations firm, 42West. Entertainment Weekly reports how it was less Swank’s appearance in Chechnya that led to her being dropped, but more a disagreement of how to deal with the fallout from the event.
Swank has since said she did not have full knowledge of what the gig in Chechnya involved. As she stated in her apology:
“I deeply regret attending this event, which has thrown into question my long and deeply-held commitment to the protection of human rights. I would never intentionally do anything that raised doubts about such commitment. I will continue to donate my time and my financial resources not only to the charities with which I am currently affiliated, but also those dedicated to the preservation of human rights. If I had a full understanding of what this event was apparently intended to be, I would never have gone.”
Both 42West and Swank herself have yet to comment on any split. What do you think – is this just a case of simple naivety on Swank’s part?
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Nov 7, 2011
Get over it. She got tricked. She apologized. Quit trying to make a story where there isn't one so you can increase your readership. Have some integrity.
Nov 7, 2011
Really? You're going to get upset because she attended a birthday party that she got paid for? If the people of Chechnya are weary, then let them handle the revolt.
Nov 7, 2011
Who cares. Hilary Swank is MY inspiration!
Nov 7, 2011
People need to mind their own business I hate that she apologized I woulda went to if I'm gettin paid! Last week Reese Witherspoon was carryin a bag made of crocidile I think (some kinda animal) and pita was so upset the media criticized her so she apologized and stopped wearing her bag I woulda told they to kiss my stylish animal killing bag and asked did they like the shoes to match too.
Nov 7, 2011
@Randi…..Yes, you better go in. LOL! I don't see why these individuals would actually waste their time bashing her because they have issues with the way the Chechen people are treated. Okay, how many other countries out there are under dictators that have no respect for their wishes and hopes for a new day? And the Reese Witherspoon fiasco was a hoot. I would have shown up somewhere with the same bag AND something that was real fur on top of that. And dared them to say something.
@Russ….I'm with you. A girl from a small town who has risen in the ranks of the acting world to join an elite group that includes Meryl Streep, Annette Benning and Julianne Moore doing her thing gets "scolded" for getting paid just to show up to an event. Fuck giving it to charity. I would have kept every penny and not have apologized for anything. Did they think that THIS was going to fuck up her career?
Nov 7, 2011
"You need to study and work on your craft. If you're not prepared when that dream audition comes, you are not going to get that opportunity. To me, the definition of success is when opportunity meets preparation. So I really recommend that actors always work on their craft and their skills. Obviously you can't make a living doing that, but you can get a lot of joy from it and learn and be inspired by the people you're working with and by your teachers and by the material. As long as you're still being inspired by it, you're going to find joy. Then hopefully the role will come along. I just want every actor to know to keep chipping away at it." – Hilary Swank.
Nov 7, 2011
Her greed scarred her reputation. Good for her.
Nov 7, 2011
I love Hillary Swank! She is great person and people who try to denigrate someone like her should try to find something more positive to do with themselves!
Nov 7, 2011
GEEZ PEOPLE GET A LIFE.
Nov 7, 2011
She was set up.
Nov 7, 2011
Just wondering who on Earth goes to a random birthday party and doesn't research it first? She didn't bother to even ask what it was about or who it was for? She just went because she was getting paid for it? I guess I just don't understand why she wouldn't want to know…
Nov 7, 2011
Randi Wells So it's all about you, huh?
Nov 7, 2011
why doesn't people get upset when our government takes stimulus money and pays foreigners to speak. or supports foreginers for free health care, food, living arrangements. why don't they care about our government spending? usa wake up start standing up for things that really make a difference. don't sweat the small stuff. what hillary did could have been done by her publicist. our government knows what they are doing they are sitting back racking in the money ans laughing at us for not complaining about them and their ways.
Nov 7, 2011
Not only get a life, but shouldn't her agent, like gave her a CLUE about an appearence she was making? Isn't that what agents get paid for?
Nov 7, 2011
Hilary is getting fucked over big time, because of this stupid shit her manager got her into. Leave her alone you fucking assholes.
Nov 7, 2011
"I went to the event so I could look such a horrible monster of a human being in the eye and tell him to his face what I thought of him. Unfortunately when the opportunity came I saw those inhuman eyes and began to fear for my own life. This experience has given me a new outlook on my commitment to human rights and I plan to redouble my efforts. I am very sorry to those who were offended, I went with the best of intentions but at that moment my courage failed me. I will not fail again." Ok seriously, if I can come up with that then she needed to fire her PR people. I did that on the fly and without the thought of keeping a job or getting paid. Hire me, I will spin bullshit into gold for ya… Maybe I should run for office…
Nov 7, 2011
Hilary Ann Swank, born July 30, 1974 is an American actress. Her film career began with a small part in Buffy the Vampire Slayer (1992) and then a major part in The Next Karate Kid (1994), where she played Julie Pierce, the first female protégé of sensei Mr. Miyagi. She has become known for her two Academy Award-winning performances.
http://www.aabout.biz/2011/11/hilary-swank.html
Nov 7, 2011
Political correctness is after everyone! And we know who's behind that!
Nov 7, 2011
She Apologized….Damn! Get over it people.