James Franco just responded to sexual misconduct allegations

‘I pride myself on taking responsibility for things that I have done’

The Golden Globes became a platform for politics this year, with hosts, award-winners and attendees using the red carpet and on-stage air-time to call out the mistreatment of women, following a crushing year of sexual harassment and assault revelations.

It was a particularly big night for James Franco who picked up a Best Actor Golden Globe for his leading role in The Disaster Artist, but his celebrations were short-lived when he found himself facing sexual misconduct allegations of his own just hours later.

The 39-year-old was the subject of a series of allegations, after some found it contradictory that he wore a #TIMESUP pin to the Globes, a symbol of solidarity with victims, considering his alleged past behaviour.

‘Why is a man hosting? Why is James Franco allowed in? Said too much,’ tweeted actress Ally Sheedy before later deleting it. ‘James Franco just won. Please never ask me why I left the film/tv business.’

After the allegations emerged, James Franco appeared on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert to address the claims.

‘I’ve heard about them,’ the actor told the host, emphasising that he prides himself on taking responsibility for his actions.

‘First of all, I have no idea what I did to Ally Sheedy,’ he went on to explain. ‘I directed her in a play off Broadway. I had nothing but a great time with her, a total respect for her. I have no idea why she’s upset, she took the tweet down. I don’t know. I can’t speak for her, I don’t know.’

He continued: ‘The others, look, in my life, I pride myself on taking responsibility for things that I have done. I have to do that to maintain my wellbeing.’

‘I do it whenever I know that there’s something that’s wrong that needs to be changed. The things that I’ve heard that were on Twitter are not accurate, but I completely support people coming out and being able to have a voice, because they didn’t have a voice for so long.

‘I don’t want to shut them down in anyway. I think it’s a good thing and I support it.’