Current:Home > MarketsMichael Rainey Jr. speaks out after being groped on livestream: 'I am still in shock' -Wealth Legacy Solutions
Michael Rainey Jr. speaks out after being groped on livestream: 'I am still in shock'
View
Date:2025-04-14 03:35:36
Actor Michael Rainey Jr. is speaking out after a video appeared to show he was sexually assaulted on a livestream.
In an Instagram story on Monday, the "Power" star, 23, said he is "still in shock" and doesn't "fully know how to process what happened last night." The incident occurred on a stream broadcast by Tylil James, who hosts "The Tylil Show" on the live video platform Twitch and has more than 100,000 followers there.
A video that circulated on social media showed Rainey standing in a room full of people during the stream when a woman appears to grab his crotch, making him visibly uncomfortable. The woman's hand is obscured in the footage by two young children.
"This is an unfortunate situation that I do not condone in any way," the actor said. "I can't take it lightly because I know I would be in serious trouble if the roles were reversed."
The alleged assault occurred while other participants in the stream were engaged in conversation, and it did not appear they initially noticed what happened.
Need a break? Play the USA TODAY Daily Crossword Puzzle.
He added, "The fact is, sexual assault is never okay, regardless of gender or status. We're all human, and we should respect each other. Most importantly, we should always respect ourselves."
USA TODAY has reached out to representatives for Rainey.
Rainey is known for his role as Tariq St. Patrick in the "Power" franchise, including "Power Book II: Ghost." The first part of its final season held its premiere in New York City last week and premiered Friday on Starz.
He has also had roles on "Orange Is the New Black" and in the films "The Butler" and "Barbershop: The Next Cut."
'Power Book II: Ghost'Season 4: Release date, cast, trailer, where to watch new episodes
In an Instagram story, James apologized to Rainey and said the woman who seemingly groped him is his sister. "My little sister was completely wrong and out of line," he said. "What she did was very inappropriate and unacceptable. I am truly embarrassed and disgusted by her actions."
James pledged to take "extreme precautions with future streams to avoid similar issues" and said he has banned his sister from participating. "I do not condone any type of assault," he wrote.
'Power Book II: Ghost':Mary J. Blige on her role as a 'queenpin' survivor in sequel series
In the comments section of Rainey's most recent Instagram post, some fans urged the actor to take legal action.
"Please press charges on her, because if the roles were reversed you would've been in jail," one comment, which received more than 3,000 likes, read.
Another fan wrote, "Sorry that happened to you Michael, what she did was wrong and i hate that it's taken lightly or as a joke when this happens to men."
James said in his Instagram story that he respects "whatever direction Michael wants to go in this situation."
If you or someone you know has experienced sexual violence, RAINN’s National Sexual Assault Hotline offers free, confidential, 24/7 support to survivors and their loved ones in English and Spanish at: 800-656-HOPE (4673) and Hotline.RAINN.org and en Español RAINN.org/es.
veryGood! (83)
Related
- Are Instagram, Facebook and WhatsApp down? Meta says most issues resolved after outages
- What makes the New York Liberty defense so good? They have 'some super long people'
- Who are the last three on 'Big Brother'? Season 26 finale date, cast, where to watch
- Suspect in deadly Michigan home invasion arrested in Louisiana, authorities say
- Don't let hackers fool you with a 'scam
- Ruth Chepngetich smashes woman's world record at Chicago Marathon
- Legislative majorities giving one party all the power are in play in several states
- Aidan Hutchinson's gruesome injury casts dark cloud over Lions after major statement win
- Whoopi Goldberg is delightfully vile as Miss Hannigan in ‘Annie’ stage return
- Irina Shayk Shares Rare Photos of Her and Bradley Cooper’s 7-Year-Old Daughter Lea
Ranking
- Could Bill Belichick, Robert Kraft reunite? Maybe in Pro Football Hall of Fame's 2026 class
- Horoscopes Today, October 13, 2024
- Horoscopes Today, October 12, 2024
- Cardi B Reveals What Her Old Stripper Name Used to Be
- Selena Gomez's "Weird Uncles" Steve Martin and Martin Short React to Her Engagement
- WNBA Finals winners, losers: Series living up to hype, needs consistent officiating
- Forget the hot takes: MLB's new playoff system is working out just fine
- Pet Halloween costumes 2024: See 6 cute, funny and spooky get-ups, from Beetlejuice to a granny
Recommendation
NHL in ASL returns, delivering American Sign Language analysis for Deaf community at Winter Classic
Travis Hunter injury update: Colorado star left K-State game with apparent shoulder injury
Did Donald Trump rape his wife Ivana? What's fact, fiction in 'Apprentice' movie
Legislative majorities giving one party all the power are in play in several states
2025 'Doomsday Clock': This is how close we are to self
ManningCast schedule: Will there be a 'Monday Night Football' ManningCast in Week 6?
Biden will survey Hurricane Milton damage in Florida, Harris attends church in North Carolina
Andrew Garfield and Dr. Kate Tomas Break Up