Chris Hardwick’s Ex-Girlfriend Jacinda Barrett Comes Out in Support of the AMC Talk Show Host

Jacinda Barrett
NEW YORK, NY - MARCH 03: Actress Jacinda Barrett attends the "Bloodline" New York Series Premiere at SVA Theater on March 3, 2015 in New York City. (Photo by Mike Pont/FilmMagic)

Actress Jacinda Barrett, who had a four year relationship with Chris Hardwick including a short engagement, came out in defense of embattled AMC Talk Show Host and Nerdist co-founder after another ex-girlfriend, Chloe Dykstra, accused Hardwick of sexual assault.

Barrett took to Instagram to share her own experience with Hardwick and defended him against the accusations calling for due process in the #MeToo movement.

She writes:

“This past week I have watched someone I once loved and shared four years of my life with be publicly accused of misconduct and abuse, then swiftly fired and shunned. The accuser’s story bears no resemblance to the one I shared with him all those years ago, but what is of supreme importance here is that every woman and every man deserves a voice. Accuser and Accused. Everyone deserves to be heard. A rush to judgement denies the right to due process; the Metoo movement deserves due process. #metoomovement #dueprocess#chrishardwick @hardwick

She accompanies her call for due process with a photo that reads:

“Image you are sitting in a courtroom. A person walks in and in their own words reads a statement accusing you of wrongdoing. The punishment for this crime is to lose your livelihood, legacy, reputation and to be publicly shamed. Without examination of evidence, without due course the judge turns to everyone there and says what do you think? Guilty?”

https://www.instagram.com/p/Bkc7SGhnCxM/?utm_source=ig_embed

Hardwick’s wife, Lydia Hearst also made a statement of defense regarding the accusations. She also called for due process.

“This is not a statement in defense; this is a statement of defense — defense for all the women who have been sexually abused, raped, trafficked and tortured; defense of all the people who this movement was started for. Over the last year, the #MeToo movement has rightly aimed a spotlight directly on women whose stories needed to be told. As someone who has been involved in toxic relationships in the past, I know firsthand the importance of sharing these stories and do not take this situation lightly.

I have made the decision to come out in support of my husband not out of obligation, but out of necessity to speak the truth about the person I know. Chris is nothing but loving and compassionate and is the only person who has stood by me, never judged me, helped me heal and feel whole. To defend my husband would be giving credence to any of these accusations. I will not do that. Chris Hardwick is a good man.

I believe that the truth will always win. #TimesUp because I know my truth and I believe in due process.”

Hardwick denied the accusations:

“These are very serious allegations and not to be taken lightly which is why I’ve taken the day to consider how to respond. I was heartbroken to read Chloe’s post. Our three year relationship was not perfect—we were ultimately not a good match and argued—even shouted at each other—but I loved her, and did my best to uplift and support her as a partner and companion in any way and at no time did I sexually assault her.

When we were living together, I found out that Chloe cheated on me, and I ended the relationship. For several weeks after we broke up, she asked me to get back together and even told me she wanted to have kids with me, ‘build a life’ with me and told me that I was ‘the one,’ but I did not want to be with someone who was unfaithful. I’m devastated to read that she is now accusing me of conduct that did not occur. I was blindsided by her post and always wanted the best for her. As a husband, a son and future father, I do not condone any kind of mistreatment of women.”

His story matched up with text messages between himself and Dykstra which were obtained by TMZ.

Despite Hardwick’s denial of the accusations, he still lost a number of employment opportunities including his AMC show, Talking with Chris Hardwick. AMC also removed him from moderating panels at the upcoming San Diego Comic-Con. Nerdist also removed all references to Hardwick on their site. His comedy spot at the KABOO Del Mar festival was also pulled.

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