Ashley Judd gets the praise she deserves for being first to speak publicly against Weinstein

Judd was the first celebrity to go on the record about Weinstein in the original 'New York Times' report.

As more and more damning sexual harassment and assault allegations pile up against Harvey Weinstein, people who make their living in Hollywood are praising the bravery of the women who came forward — in particular Ashley Judd, who was the first celebrity to speak on the record in last week's New York Times report.

Judd — who described being sexually harassed by the Hollywood producer during a breakfast meeting in his hotel room when the 1997 film Kiss the Girls was shooting — said Weinstein made her feel “panicky, trapped,” and as though her career could be put in jeopardy if she ruined their relationship by refusing his advances.

“I said no, a lot of ways, a lot of times, and he always came back at me with some new ask,” the actress told The New York Times, describing shooting down a persistent Weinstein. "It was all this bargaining, this coercive bargaining.”

In wake of Judd's courageous decision to speak up about Weinstein's harssment and reveal her identity, women in Hollywood are praising her bravery and strength. (We've contacted Judd for comment.)

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Rose McGowan, an actress who reached a settlement with Weinstein in the late '90s, has also been vocal in criticizing the Hollywood machine that allowed the producer to act with impunity for decades. She too was the subject of abundant praise.

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And of course, some male celebrities stepped up to the plate to praise the women, too.

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"Women have been talking about Harvey amongst ourselves for a long time, and it’s simply beyond time to have the conversation publicly,” Judd told The New York Times. That's exactly what's happening.

Since the original report — which featured accounts from eight women — came out, The New Yorker published a scathing exposé, in which more women accused Weinstein of not just harassment but sexual assault. (He's denied rape allegations through a spokesperson.)

On Tuesday afternoon The New York Times published another article featuring interviews from a more celebrities — Gwyneth Paltrow, Angelina Jolie, Rosanna Arquette, Katherine Kendall and more — who all accused Weinstein of sexual harassment.

In response to the women revealing their chilling accounts of Weinstein's behavior, other women were eager to publicly offer their support and celebrate the survivors' bravery. The tweets were notable both for their supportive nature in a cutthroat industry and on a social media platform known more and more for bullying and hate speech than expressions of solidarity.

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Weinstein has been a Democratic donor — Hillary Clinton released a statement on Tuesday afternoon following the additional New Yorker and New York Times pieces published.

The former secretary of state said she was "shocked and appalled" to hear the revelations.

"Their courage and the support of others is critical in helping to stop this kind of behavior," Clinton said.