Harvey Weinstein 'Won't Forgive' Gwyneth Paltrow Over #MeToo Allegations, Saying She 'Owes Her Career to Me'

Harvey Weinstein has lashed out at Gwyneth Paltrow from prison, claiming the Oscar-winning actress 'owes her career' to him and accusing her of betraying him by speaking publicly during the #MeToo movement.

In a rare interview by The Hollywood Reporter from New York's Rikers Island jail, the disgraced former Hollywood producer revisited their past relationship and dismissed her allegations as exaggerated.

The comments come as Weinstein, once one of the most powerful figures in the film industry, continues to serve prison time following multiple convictions for sex crimes, while attempting to defend his reputation and recount his version of events.

Harvey Weinstein Accuses Gwyneth Paltrow of Betrayal

During the interview, Weinstein revisited an incident that Paltrow has previously described from early in her career.

The actress has said the producer invited her to his hotel room after she was cast in the 1996 adaptation of Emma, where he allegedly suggested a massage. At the time, Paltrow said she was 22 and felt uncomfortable with the request.

Weinstein insisted the interaction was misrepresented.

He claimed that after a professional meeting he casually suggested a massage but said Paltrow declined and that he immediately backed off. In recounting the moment, Weinstein argued that nothing physical happened and maintained that he 'got the message'.

He also alleged that actor Brad Pitt, who was dating Paltrow at the time after meeting her on the set of Se7en, later confronted him about the encounter. According to Weinstein, Pitt warned him not to repeat the behaviour with his girlfriend, a conversation Weinstein said he accepted without dispute.

'I never put my hands on her. She told Brad Pitt. Brad Pitt came to me and said, 'Don't do anything like that with my girl. I said, 'Don't worry, Brad. I got it."

However, what appears to have angered Weinstein most is that Paltrow later spoke publicly about the experience during the #MeToo movement.

In the interview, he claimed she exaggerated the situation and accused her of turning against someone he once considered a friend. Weinstein said he felt personally betrayed, arguing that Paltrow had joined public criticism of him despite, in his view, owing much of her career success to projects connected to his production company.

'But then Gwyneth goes on Howard Stern and The New York Times and makes a big deal about it all. She knows that nothing happened. But this person who was a friend, who owes her career to me, just stabs me in the back. She wanted to be part of the crowd. I won't forgive her for that.'

Weinstein Describes Life in Rikers Island Prison

Beyond revisiting old Hollywood disputes, Weinstein also spoke about his life behind bars.

The former producer described prison conditions at Rikers Island as extremely difficult, explaining that most of his time is spent alone in his cell. According to his account, the only regular interactions he has are with prison guards, nurses, his legal team, and family members.

He characterised the experience as harsh and isolating, offering a glimpse into daily life since his imprisonment.

At the same time, Weinstein continued to deny committing sexual assault, even while acknowledging that aspects of his past behaviour may have crossed professional and personal boundaries.

During the interview, he admitted he had sometimes been 'pushy' with women and said he may have 'overplayed' situations while pursuing relationships. He also acknowledged that he could be a difficult figure to work with and described himself as capable of being a 'bully'.

Yet Weinstein maintained that his behaviour did not amount to the crimes many women have accused him of committing. While he acknowledged that he had sometimes crossed boundaries and acted inappropriately, he said the only thing he truly regretted was being unfaithful to his wife.

'I misled them. I cheated on both my wives. That's immoral. But I did not assault them. That is the big lie of all of this. I won't apologize for something I didn't do. I will be proven innocent. That I promise you.'

Charges Against Weinstein

The former film executive was first charged after investigative reports in 2017 revealed decades of allegations of sexual misconduct. The accusations quickly grew into the global #MeToo movement, prompting criminal investigations and trials in both New York and Los Angeles.

In 2020, he was found guilty in New York of criminal sexual act in the first degree for the forced oral sex of former production assistant Mimi Haleyi in 2006, and rape in the third degree involving actress Jessica Mann in 2013. He was sentenced to 23 years in prison for those crimes.

However, in April 2024 the New York Court of Appeals overturned that conviction, ruling that the trial judge had allowed testimony from women whose allegations were not part of the charges. Prosecutors later said they intended to retry the case.

Separately, Weinstein was convicted in California in December 2022 on charges including rape, forcible oral copulation, and sexual penetration by a foreign object. The charges stemmed from an assault on an Italian model at a Beverly Hills hotel in 2013.

A judge at the Los Angeles County Superior Court finally sentenced him to 16 years in prison, which he's currently serving.

Despite the convictions and dozens of allegations from women that helped fuel the #MeToo movement, Weinstein has continued to deny committing sexual assault.

Representatives for Paltrow have not publicly responded to the latest comments.