Actor and Comedian, Chris D’Elia, has been let go from Creative Arts Agency (CAA) due to allegations that he was soliciting underage girls on social media.
D’Elia’s co-star, Whitney Cummings from their comedy series ‘Whitney,’ spoke on his allegations prior to the agency’s decision.
“[I’m] devastated and enraged by what I’ve read and learned,” Cummings wrote. “This is a pattern of predatory behavior. … This abuse of power is enabled by silence. Now that I’m aware, I won’t be silent.”
Networks, including Comedy Central, Hulu, and Amazon Prime, followed suit by removing an episode of ‘Workaholics,’ where D’Elia preys on minors from their platforms.
Last week, D’Elia released a statement obtained by Deadline, addressing the allegations of harassing underage girls online, denying all claims.
“I know I have said and done things that might have offended people during my career, but I have never knowingly pursued any underage women at any point,” D’Elia stated. “All of my relationships have been both legal and consensual, and I have never met or exchanged any inappropriate photos with the people who have tweeted about me. That being said, I really am truly sorry. I was a dumb guy who ABSOLUTELY let myself get caught up in my lifestyle. That’s MY fault. I own it. I’ve been reflecting on this for some time now, and I promise I will continue to do better.”
D’Elia is also known for a three-episode reoccurring appearance on Netflix’s popular serious #You. In the series, D’Elia’s character “menaced a 15-year-old girl,” the outlet reports. His character was killed off of the series and thus won’t be returning in any future productions for the series.
Still, “You” star Penn Badgley opened up about D’Elia’s allegations, as well as the similarities between the allegations and D’Elia’s character, saying, “I also am thinking about how to somehow not—the idea that a show like ours would indirectly, unwittingly be a haven for people who are abusive is disturbing. It’s very disturbing,” he said. “What does it take to change that? Because it’s not just vetting individuals. There needs to be a change in culture and attitude so that that kind of behavior is so clearly reprehensible, it’s so clearly, like, anti-human.” He also said the allegations led producers to reach out to the 17-year-old actress that worked with D’Elia on the show “to make sure she felt safe.”
Aside from his talent representatives at CAA, D’Elia has also been dropped by his talent agents, manager and touring agent across WME and 3 Arts Entertainment as well.
