Olivia Munn has been under a lot of spotlight in the press lately. As she is on tour promoting her new movie “The Predator”, she spoke out against the director Shane Black for casting his long time friend and actor, Steven Wilder Striegel. Munn found out of Striegel’s 2010 conviction of luring a 14-year-old girl online into a sexual relationship. Once Munn found out about this news she reported it to 20TH Century Fox, who in turn deleted Striegel’s scene from the movie after Munn threatened to stop promoting the movie if no action was taken place.
Munn has received a lot of praise on the internet for taking action but she stated that at a Toranto Film Festival she felt isolated from other cast members. Munn told People magazine that after she learned of the news, she encouraged her other cast members to stand up and speak out about the alligations, but they all chose to stay silent. She knew she would receive a lot of backlash for speaking out but couldn’t imagine not having the support of those who also were in this movie.
The 14-year-old girl who has remained anonymous for all of these years, has come out and thanked Olivia for her brave actions. Paige Cornes, now 24 years old, told The Los Angeles Times “my purpose in making this statement is to reclaim my identity. I was not able to speak for myself when I was 14. The consequences of this abuse are profound and permanent for some… your abuse does not define you. With support from others and strength from within, you can overcome the label of victim and reclaim your identity.” Cornes also stated that she is ‘eternally grateful for Olivia munn’s action’… “she spoke up for me. She took a stance for me. In turn she stood for all who have suffered like I have.”
Shane Black, the director of the movie, casted his friend Striegel in not only this movie but in others like Iron man 3 and The Nice Guys after knowing about his conviction in 2010. Black released a comment stating that he was ‘misguided by a friend’ but was extremely disappointed in himself and apologized to all people involved in the past and present.
So the question arises of whether people can be forgiven for their actions after serving their due time in jail, or if their life from now on should change because of their poor actions? Other questions also arise as to how no one knew about his conviction until now? Did the other cast members believe Striegel deserved a second chance at his career? Why did everyone stay silent except for Munn? Regardless of the questions, I think we can all commend Munn for standing up for what’s right and for putting her career on the line to be the voice for the voiceless.