After years of public speculation, Kevin Spacey is out of the closet.
The actor officially came out as gay after he was accused by actor Anthony Rapp of making a "sexual advance" towards him when Rapp was only 14 years of age.
The 58-year-old issued a statement on Twitter on Sunday night, saying that he has had "romantic encounters with men throughout [his] life," and has chosen now to "live as a gay man."
He added that he has had relationships with both men and women.
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In his statement, Spacey said that he was "beyond horrified" to hear Rapp's allegations of sexual misconduct, which appeared in a Buzzfeed story published earlier on Sunday.
The House of Cards star said that he did not remember the incident, but if it did happen, he "owes [Rapp] the sincerest apology for what would have been deeply inappropriate drunken behaviour."
He also added it was Rapp's story that had "encouraged [him] to address other things about [his] life."
However, many on social media were unimpressed by Spacey's coming out, with some saying he was using it to divert attention.
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Rapp's allegations date back to 1986, when he was a 14-year-old child actor who had met a then 26-year-old Spacey.
Spacey had "invited Rapp over to his apartment for a party, and, at the end of the night, picked Rapp up, placed him on his bed, and climbed on top of him, making a sexual advance," Rapp, now 46, told Buzzfeed.
“He picked me up like a groom picks up the bride over the threshold," Rapp was quoted as saying.
"But I don't, like, squirm away initially, because I'm like, 'What's going on?' And then he lays down on top of me. He was trying to seduce me."
Rapp added that he managed to break free, and eventually fled the apartment.
According to Rapp, it was the recent accusations of sexual assault and harassment against Harvey Weinstein that had prompted him to speak out against Spacey.
Topics LGBTQ Celebrities