A.J. Calloway has been accused of sexual assault and/or misconduct by six women.
Since the accusations went public, the ‘Extra’ host has been suspended by Warner Bros. Television.
Now, even more of his accusers are speaking out.
via THR:
In the months following the June publication of Abrams’ allegation against Calloway, THR has talked to five more women — including Delgado and the woman who was quoted anonymously in the Daily Beast story — who allege that they, too, were sexually assaulted. The earliest account dates to 2003; the most recent was in 2013. Two of the women, Abrams and Delgado, have reported Calloway to the police in New York and New Jersey, respectively. A third, who wishes to remain anonymous, made a claim in California, and THR has confirmed that the case is open and active. This woman shared evidence with THR that she sought a medical exam in connection with an alleged sexual assault several years ago after what she says was an encounter with Calloway.
Some of the accusers describe attacks that have certain common elements: Four say Calloway got them into a hotel room or bedroom and assaulted them; two say he wrested away their phones. In an additional statement to THR, Calloway’s attorney says: “The Hollywood Reporter’s decision to publicize these vague, unsubstantiated and mostly anonymous allegations – without providing Mr. Calloway with the details and information necessary to meaningfully respond to them – is thoughtless and rash. However, even with the limited information The Hollywood Reporter did provide to us about these allegations, Mr. Calloway can state unequivocally that these allegations are implausible and did not happen. Mr. Calloway will not sit idly by as these false and baseless allegations cause further harm to his family, career and reputation and looks forward to clearing his name.”
Calloway, 44, now a married father of three young children, has been on Extra since 2005, starting as a special correspondent. He has interviewed an array of celebrities from Beyonce to Oprah, from Justin Timberlake to Prince. Before joining Extra, which airs on NBCUniversal-owned stations and is moving to Fox in the fall, Calloway spent five years as the host of 106 & Park on BET. According to his bio on the Extra website, Calloway has created his own foundation to offer college scholarships. He also speaks to youth around the country about the negative effects of drugs, alcohol and unprotected sex. The women interviewed for this story all say.
“I definitely felt I couldn’t be the only one,” Daisy says. She has asked THR not to use her real name. She confided the details of her story a few years after the incident to a friend, whom THRhas interviewed and who confirms she was told of the encounter.
In 2003, Daisy was barely 19 and went to an L.A. club with a couple of girlfriends. Calloway was there, and one of Daisy’s friends spotted him and showed interest. He approached and started chatting, but he wasn’t focusing on the young woman who was hoping to attract his attention. “I definitely felt his energy in my direction,” Daisy remembers.
To read more accounts from A.J.’s other accusers, click here.
