Before actor Christian Keyes landed a starring role in the Tyler Perry-produced hit โAll the Queenโs Menโโwhich was adapted from a novel that Keyes wroteโhe had bit parts model and love interest in music videos for the likes of Keri Hilson, Ashanti, Mary J. Blige, Ledisi and more.
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Then his career began to take off as he garnered a following, appearing in made-for-TV moviesโsuch as โLord, All Men Canโt Be Dogs,โ opposite Vivica A. Foxโ and stage plays such as Perryโs โMadea Goes to Jailโ and โWhatโs Done in the Dark.โ
But as Keyesโ star has continued to rise, putting him in more rooms with rich and powerful people, he said a โconversation needs to be hadโ about abuse of power. On Friday night, Dec. 15, he uploaded a video to Instagram in which he delved into the details of his Hollywood experience and particularly singled out one โpowerful manโ for his persistent bad behavior.
In the video, Keyes carefully addressed โcertain powers that be that were moving inappropriatelyโ to not reveal their identity. But he did talk through several instances of sexual assault and sexual harassment that he has suffered.
This person was sexually harassing me for years,โ said Keyes, explaining that the โpowerful manโ in question claimed and bragged about having โmultiple young Black menโ on the payroll. โAnd they just had to show up when he requested them to be there,โ Keyes said. โClearly thatโs why it felt to him that it was OK to say these things.โ
Keyes added, โIโve done my best to forgive this person, but it happens. It happens. Itโs not just women that have to deal with it. Itโs also men sometimes.โ
Keyes quickly became a trending topic on X, formerly Twitter, with more than 46 million views of his video, and many social media users speculating whom the โpowerful manโ might be and the powerful people protecting his bad behavior.
Keyes confession also elicited comments of support and well wishes from other Black celebrities who have experienced similar circumstances in the industry.
โThe Hughleysโ and โScream 2" star Elise Neal wrote, โMy brother- I understand- and I completely am with u!!!,โ under Keyesโ Instagram post. She added, โIโve been in these situations and Iโm proud of you.โ
โGet Outโ star and comedian Lil Rel Howery commented under Keyes Instagram post, โProud of you brother.โ
Comedian Gary Owens also commented, โ Sorry you had to go through this & have been carrying this with you for so long bro.โ
Black culture commentators also weighed in. Tami Roman wrote, โChristian Iโve been around you several times and you are such a light who walks with integrity & peace.โ She added, โIโm sorry youโve experienced this but I commend your bravery!โ
โCocktails with Queensโ host Claudia Jordan commented, โYou shared a piece of this with me when we first met may be 15 years ago and said one day you would come forward ... and YOU DID.โ She added, โI am SOOOOOO proud of you!โ
Commending Keyes for sharing his story, โQueen Sugarโ star and soap legend Dondre T. Whitfiled implied that there is an even bigger discussion to be had about some of the Black communities top figures.
โYโall donโt want to have this conversation. If we told yโall about your HEroes and SHEroes it would break yโall,โ he wrote under Keyesโ post.
What โpowerful manโ do you think Keyes is talking about?
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