The Apprentice director Ali Abbasi has been accused of “aggressively groping” an A-list actor at a Golden Globes afterparty thrown by their agency.
The 44-year-old filmmaker was “inebriated” when he allegedly touched the star at the Creative Arts Agency bash at the Chateau Marmont in Hollywood last month.
The actor that he reportedly “groped” is also represented by CAA and Abbasi parted ways with CAA and Entertainment 360 last month.
“Events unfolded at CAA’s Golden Globes afterparty, where, sources said, an inebriated Abbasi aggressively groped an A-list, CAA-repped actor,” Deadline reported.
Abbasi was reportedly asked to apologise to the actor by their mutual representatives, but sources claimed he was advised not to contact the star despite the agency’s wishes.
Abbasi has not yet responded to the allegations. He told Deadline in an earlier statement: “I can confirm that I’ve made the decision to move in a new direction with my career.”
He went on: “I’m grateful for the work CAA and Entertainment 360 have done, particularly their commitment to The Apprentice, which remains a project I’m incredibly proud of.”
The Standard has contacted representatives for Abbasi, CAA, and Entertainment 360 for comment.
Donald Trump biopic The Apprentice was released in October and follows the start of the President’s career in the 1970s, including his reality show of the same name.
Sebastian Stan (who played Trump) and Jeremy Strong (who played Trump’s mentor, the lawyer and political fixer Roy Cohn) were nominated for Best Actor and Best Supporting Actor at the Golden Globes.
The stars have also earned Academy Award nominations for Best Actor and Best Supporting Actor.
Abbasi previously said he was “shocked” at the reaction to the biopic.
“I’m disappointed and shocked about the reception in the US of The Apprentice. What I’m really shocked about is that the movie is being considered controversial,” he told The Playlist.
“I’ve said this many times, I still don’t understand. I mean, you’re dealing with someone who is the encyclopedia entry of World Controversial, Donald Trump. I don’t know what’s controversial about the movie.
“Some of my other friends in Hollywood reached out to me saying that, ‘If you want us, we’re ready to do it.’”
