‘The Apprentice’ Director Ali Abbasi Says He Is ‘Truly Sorry’ Following Groping Accusation, States Reports That He Was Dropped by His Representation are ‘False’: ‘I Believe in Taking Accountability for My Actions’ – Variety
By
Jack Dunn
“The Apprentice” director Ali Abbasi has released an official statement after news broke Friday of an alleged groping incident that occurred at this year’s Golden Globes.
“I want to address the recent articles about me directly and openly,” Abbasi wrote in a statement shared on X. “I fully understand that my action made someone uncomfortable, regardless of my intent, and for that, I am truly sorry.”
He continued, “I had spent time with the person concerned on multiple occasions and had reason to think we had a friendly relationship. When I saw him at the Golden Globes party, I was excited to reconnect. I made an over-familiar gesture – a slap on the rear – which I intended as playful and not in any sexual way whatsoever. I quickly realized I had misjudged the situation. I apologized to him on the spot, and the following day I made sure my apology was reiterated through my representatives.”
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Following the accusations, Abbasi was seemingly dropped by CAA and Management 360. However, Abbasi said the decision to part ways with his reps was entirely his own.
“The suggestion that I was dropped by my representation due to this interaction is false,” Abbasi said. “My decision to part ways was a long-term career decision that was not shaped by short motivations. I believe in taking accountability for my actions; I made a mistake, I apologized and have learned a valuable life lesson.”
Abbasi closed the statement by adding that he remains “grateful for the incredible work of our cast, crew and supporters on ‘The Apprentice.’” The film, which follows Donald Trump’s rise through the real estate industry in the ’80s with the guidance of lawyer Roy Cohn, has earned a fair amount of attention this awards season despite its trouble finding mainstream distributors. “The Apprentice” scored two nominations at the 2025 Academy Awards for Sebastian Stan’s leading turn as Trump and Jeremy Strong’s supporting turn as Cohn.
Abbasi was in attendance at Saturday’s Indie Spirit Awards despite the controversy. When asked by Variety why he chose to still come to the event, Abbasi said, “Like I said, my statement is out there. It speaks for itself. I’m here to do what I always do, to support [‘The Apprentice’] and celebrate cinema.”
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