'EastEnders' star Rob Kazinsky apologizes for sending picture of his penis to model, says he is grateful for the public shaming
Former EastEnders star Rob Kazinsky has issued an apology to the model whom he had sent a penis picture to more than a decade ago after he was pulled up by fans for supporting the #MeToo movement. The former EastEnders star who played the role of Sean Slater, between the years 2006 and 2009, stood up to support his girlfriend Chloe Dykstra after she wrote a blog post alleging that an ex-boyfriend had sexually and emotionally abused her.
Chloe did not name her ex but described him as a man who went from a "podcaster to a powerhouse CEO of his own company". After her post was printed by Medium, Chloe's ex Chris Hardwick released a statement claiming that he had never sexually assaulted her. Referring to their past relationship, he said, "It was not perfect — we were ultimately not a good match", but he "[does] not condone any kind of mistreatment of women".
Rob Kazinsky responded to Chris and accused him of "trying to derail a conversation" and went on to urge Chloe's critics not to "be distracted" from her story and what she was trying to say. However, some fans were quick to point out that Rob himself had once made a woman uncomfortable by sending her unrequested pictures of his genitalia. This led to him issuing an apology to the model who received these unwanted pictures in the year 2007.
He took to Twitter to say, "This past week has taught me a lot about owning your mistakes, and about being part of the solution and not the problem. This is something I should have done eleven years ago. Eleven years ago it was publicized that I sent a photo of a sexual nature to a woman I met online. I was, and still am, ashamed."
"The personal fallout of my actions was one of the hardest times in my life, and something I'm grateful to have experienced because that humbling made me the man I am today: one who supports women, supports #MeToo, and supports equality for all", he continued. "I would like to take this opportunity to offer a sincere, personal apology to the woman I once knew: I am so sorry. 34-year-old me joins you in disgust at 22-year-old me and a personal apology should have been made in 2007, not more than a decade later."
"I will continue to learn from my own failings and experiences as I have for the past eleven years and continue to work on myself. I will continue to advocate for women and help seek justice for all people harassed and marginalized. I would also like to say thank you for being brave enough to come forward; there is no time limit on your truths. I hope all women can eventually feel empowered to do the same," he added.
While Rob himself did not name the model, Aimi Veness, who was known as Aimi Robinson in 2007 told ScreenGeek.net that he had never ever taken any ownership or responsibility for his actions.
In a statement, Veness revealed, "It has been brought to my attention that Robert Kazinsky has recently denied his past actions towards me, and concerns me that he believes that #metoo moment didn't count".
"No woman should ever have to deal with sexual harassment in any form. Even though I have moved on with my life, it still upsets me he has never taken responsibility for his actions and even now doesn't have the decency to admit he was wrong and apologize." Since her statement, she has retweeted his apology.