More telling than the revelations about Harvey Weinstein — as if we didn’t know about Hollywood’s casting couch culture — were the reactions of the rest of Hollywood. People who had once lionised and given standing ovations to the mogul suddenly either turned on their former hero, or, most often, simply slunk into the shadows in shamefaced silence.
Recent accusations about abuse and harassment in the Australian music industry — especially at mega-label Sony — have so far been met with a wall of silence.
He is the once all-conquering music executive at the centre of serious allegations from more than 100 former staff members.
Now the question surrounding ex-Sony Australia boss Denis Handlin is who – if any – on the label’s star-studded roster will join those speaking out against the former industry titan, who was the subject of a Four Corners exposé on Monday night.
Despite fostering the careers of some of Australia’s biggest music names, including John Farnham, Amy Shark and Delta Goodrem, the response from artists has been deafening silence since Handlin was stood down in June.
Isn’t it odd? An industry of loudmouths who usually can’t wait to shout their second-hand opinions at the rest of us have suddenly, unanimously fallen silent.
It’s almost like they’ve got something to hide.
Monday’s ABC report included a slew of claims about Handlin from former employees, including heavy alcohol use, verbal abuse, misogynistic behaviour and – at times – physical abuse during his 37-year tenure at the label.
Staffers claimed Handlin oversaw a ‘toxic’ workplace that for some was unbearable. But despite this, Sony’s biggest stars have remained steadfastly tight-lipped, despite the fact many of them cut ties with the label years ago.
So, they certainly don’t have to worry about their careers. For years, the likes of Guy Sebastian, Delta Goodrem, Tina Arena, Molly Meldrum, John Farnham, Human Nature, the Veronicas, and many more, were happy to pose for smiley selfies — and collect the awards and gold records. Now, they’re all silent.
A former Sony executive of almost two decades told Daily Mail Australia they believe there may soon be a handful of artists willing to ‘break ranks’ in the wake of the latest claims.
Daily Mail
Perhaps they think he’s innocent (after all, all we have so far are unsubstantiated allegations)? So, why not speak out, as at least Kyle Sandilands has had the guts to, right or wrong.
Makes you wonder how many Twitter feeds are being hurriedly scrubbed, right now.
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