The first thing I want to do is apologize: to Leeann, to everyone else who was part of that tour, to everyone who has worked for me, to everyone I represent, and to everyone who counts on me to be an ally and supporter and champion of women. Theres more I want to say, but the first and most important thingand if its the only thing you care to hear, thats fineis: Im sorry.
I respect women. I dont respect men who dont. And the fact that my own actions have given people a good reason to doubt that makes me feel ashamed.
But I want to say something else, too. Over the last few months, all of usincluding and especially men who respect womenhave been forced to take a good, hard look at our own actions and think (perhaps, shamefully, for the first time) about how those actions have affected women.
For instance, that picture. I dont know what was in my head when I took that picture, and it doesnt matter. Theres no excuse. I look at it now and I feel disgusted with myself. It isnt funny. Its completely inappropriate. Its obvious how Leeann would feel violated by that picture. And, whats more, I can see how millions of other women would feel violated by itwomen who have had similar experiences in their own lives, women who fear having those experiences, women who look up to me, women who have counted on me.
Coming from the world of comedy, Ive told and written a lot of jokes that I once thought were funny but later came to realize were just plain offensive. But the intentions behind my actions arent the point at all. Its the impact these jokes had on others that matters. And Im sorry its taken me so long to come to terms with that.
While I dont remember the rehearsal for the skit as Leeann does, I understand why we need to listen to and believe womens experiences.
I am asking that an ethics investigation be undertaken, and I will gladly cooperate.
And the truth is, what people think of me in light of this is far less important than what people think of women who continue to come forward to tell their stories. They deserve to be heard, and believed. And they deserve to know that I am their ally and supporter. I have let them down and am committed to making it up to them.
