Model Kate Upton Accuses Designer Of Sexual Harassment – Some Say She’s Out For Revenge

Model Kate Upton has accused legendary designer Paul Marciano of sexual harassment…

But many think this may just be revenge for getting canned after a “disastrous” photo shoot with his brand.

According to TMZ:

Guess Jeans co-founder Paul Marciano says Kate Upton is lying when she says he sexually harassed her, adding she’s about to make a false claim he groped her.

Marciano gave TMZ a statement, responding to Upton’s tweet that he used his position “to sexually and emotionally harass women.”

Marciano says, “Ms. Upton provided no details … She leveled this malicious and false accusation only hours before a gala event at our headquarters in Los Angeles unveiling a new Guess campaign. Ms. Upton told TMZ that ‘I’m excited to tell my whole story.'”

He goes on … “I am told that she has been working with others for some time to defame me and will claim that I groped her among other things.”

Marciano’s response … “This accusation is false. I have never touched Kate Upton. I have never been alone with Kate Upton. I have never acted inappropriately towards her.”

Sources connected to Marciano tell us he believes Upton is lashing out because Guess ended its relationship with her after a disastrous photo shoot.

Marciano has released a formal statement:

It reads:

Five days ago, Kate Upton tweeted that I abused by position at Guess “to sexually and emotionally harass women.” Ms. Upton provided no details. Just the hashtag #metoo. She leveled this malicious and false accusation only hours before a gala event at our headquarters in Los Angeles unveiling a new Guess campaign. That evening, Ms. Upton told TMZ that “I’m excited to tell my whole story.”

She’s excited?! Really? Is that how victims feel about speaking out? Excited?

And yeah… that timing seems VERY calculated.

As of today, Ms. Upton still has provided no facts, no details, no dates and no circumstances to back up anything she has alleged. I am told that she has been working with others for some time to defame me and will claim that I groped her among other things.

So this could either be pre-emptive defense because she KNOWS he groped her… or he could be telling the truth. Again, I don’t know. But I do think her timing is terribly off.

This accusation is false. I have never touched Kate Upton. I have never been alone with Kate Upton. I have never acted inappropriately towards her.

In recent days, many models, photographers, stylists and others have reached out to express support based on their longstanding personal and professional interactions with me. I deeply appreciate their encouragement during this challenging time for me and for my family.

Then he gets to a part that I think is SO SPOT ON for what’s going on right now:

In today’s world, people post things on social media without consequence. A number of omen – some of whom I’ve never met and do not know – have joined Ms. Upton and called me “horrible,” a “tyrant,” a “monster” and a “disgusting pig.”

I have devoted my entire career to building a fashion company and brand that have a long and proud record of empowering women. I fully support the #metoo movement. At the same time, I will not stand by and watch my reputation be tarnished. I have pledged to the Guess Board of Directors that I will fully cooperate with a fair and impartial investigation into all of the facts. I have complete trust and confidence that the actual facts – not unverified tweets or uncorroborated Instagram posts – will prove that the accusations against me are untruthful.

And THAT, ladies and gentlemen, is the whole problem with this #MeToo thing.

We’ve reached a point where a cryptic tweet can throw a man’s entire life and career into a tail spin.

Upton needs to say nothing more… the damage is done. He’s being persecuted with no intention of fact checking.

Every woman must be believed, after all.

While I don’t know the facts behind what happened between the two of them, I CAN say that I think a tweet like this without any sort of details or statement is highly irresponsible, and does more damage than good to the #MeToo movement.

Kate Upton’s move really DOES look like some kind of revenge tactic, unless she backs up what she’s inferring. He may be guilty. He may be entirely innocent… but Tweeting something like that and then not backing it up is a TERRIBLE way to go about this, regardless.

Cryptic “that dude’s nasty” messages do little more than ruffle feathers and undermine people’s reputations and livelihoods. If you have something to say… SAY IT.

If you don’t, don’t.

It’s that simple.