Current:Home > MyMichael Rainey Jr. speaks out after being groped on livestream: 'I am still in shock' -Momentum Wealth Path
Michael Rainey Jr. speaks out after being groped on livestream: 'I am still in shock'
View
Date:2025-04-13 19:08:11
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! (337)
Related
- 'Most Whopper
- People's Choice Country Awards moments: Jelly Roll dominates, Toby Keith returns to the stage
- Call it 'Big Uce mode': Tua Tagovailoa is having fun again in Dolphins' red-hot start
- Panama Canal reduces the maximum number of ships travelling the waterway to 31 per day
- Tom Holland's New Venture Revealed
- Borrowers are reassessing their budgets as student loan payments resume after pandemic pause
- Backers of North Dakota congressional age limits sue over out-of-state petitioner ban
- Paris Jackson Claps Back After Haters Call Her Haggard in Makeup-Free Selfie
- Retirement planning: 3 crucial moves everyone should make before 2025
- IRS contractor Charles Littlejohn accused of disclosing Trump's tax returns
Ranking
- Newly elected West Virginia lawmaker arrested and accused of making terroristic threats
- Senate confirms Mississippi US Attorney, putting him in charge of welfare scandal prosecution
- Blocked by Wall Street: How homebuyers are being outbid in droves by investors
- Death toll from Pakistan bombing rises to 54 as suspicion falls on local Islamic State group chapter
- NFL Week 15 picks straight up and against spread: Bills, Lions put No. 1 seed hopes on line
- Man tied to suspected gunman in killing of Tupac Shakur is indicted on murder charge
- Death toll from Pakistan bombing rises to 54 as suspicion falls on local Islamic State group chapter
- California governor rejects bill to give unemployment checks to striking workers
Recommendation
Whoopi Goldberg is delightfully vile as Miss Hannigan in ‘Annie’ stage return
Allow Amal and George Clooney's Jaw-Dropping Looks to Inspire Your Next Date Night
Why the Obama era 'car czar' thinks striking autoworkers risk overplaying their hand
Las Vegas Raiders' Chandler Jones arrested for violating restraining order
Working Well: When holidays present rude customers, taking breaks and the high road preserve peace
House rejects McCarthy-backed bill to avoid government shutdown as deadline nears
Bob and Erin Odenkirk talk poetry and debate the who's funniest member of the family
3 Baton Rouge police officers arrested amid investigations into 'torture warehouse'