Phylicia Rashad defends former co-star Bill Cosby
By Tribute on January 8, 2015 | 10 Comments
The Cosby Show‘s Phylicia Rashad, 66, has spoken out to defend her television husband Bill Cosby, 77, amid the increasing sexual assault allegations against him. At a luncheon at Manhattan’s Metropolitan Club to celebrate the new movie Selma, Phylicia spoke to Showbiz411 columnist Roger Friedman about her co-star’s scandal and told Friedman to “Forget these women.” She stood by Cosby and stated, “What you’re seeing is the destruction of a legacy. I think it’s orchestrated. I don’t know why or who’s doing it, but it’s the legacy. And it’s a legacy that is so important to the culture.” At the mention of the allegations from models Beverly Johnson and Janice Dickinson, Phylicia quickly dismissed them with an “Oh, please.”
Phylicia joined fellow co-stars Keshia Knight Pulliam and Raven-Symoné who also praised Cosby. Phylicia assured Friedman that Cosby’s wife, Camille Cosby, would not turn a blind eye for 50 years, stating that Camille “is a tough woman, a smart woman. She’s no pushover.”
Phylicia added her belief that, “Someone is determined to keep Bill Cosby off TV. And it’s worked. All his contracts have been cancelled.” She commented on the legacy of their show, saying, “This show represented America to the outside world. This was the American family. And now you’re seeing it being destroyed. Why?”
Since Phylicia’s statements, two of the alleged victims have responded to Phylicia’s support, claiming it to be immoral. Sarita Butterfield, a former Playboy Bunny and alleged victim responded, “What if something like this happened to her daughter? Shame on her and shame on Bill.” Another accuser, Angela Leslie said, “I looked at her as a woman with morals, and it’s sad that she’s speaking like this.”
Attorney Gloria Allred announced three more accusers in a news conference yesterday and vowed to go after Phylicia for supporting Cosby and calling the women liars. ~Janine Wyslobicky
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Hm. Makes you stop and think. Maybe people should stop judging him until all the facts are in.
Keshia Knight PULLIAM. Check your spelling!
I think this woman should keep her mouth shut…suggesting this is a ‘set-up’ is further victimizing the people who suffered under this man. There are just too many stories to discount it and it always bothers me how ‘people of colour’ defend other ‘people of colour’ no matter what….even when they ARE proven guilty.
@ MA – Too many stories to discount? There seem to be three, two of which only popped up conveniently shortly after the first. There’s just as much possibility of this being a hoax right now as there is of this being true. Considering how sue-happy you Americans are, a few people coming out of the woodworks to sue Cosby TODAY for transgressions waaaay in the past means very little.
In other words, it’s just as likely that these women are scheming together for the sole purpose of taking Cosby for every cent they can get out of him.
She’s black, of course she defends him. She wasn’t there. Thirty women who do not even know each other are not lying. Just because he might not have tried anything with her when she was his TV wife doesn’t mean it never happened to anyone. The stories are ALL the same – drugged with a drink and raped.
At the age of 77 why doesn’t he just retire instead of sticking his face into the public amidst all the rape uncoverings? He’s flaunting the fact that there is no “physical” proof after all this time, further victimizing his victims and taking advantage of the good faith of the public, therefore victimizing them as well. Go away Cosby, you stink of so much guilt it’s sickening.
Maybe, just maybe, Kitty, he’s “sticking his face into the public” because he’s INNOCENT? Could that be possible? Because what Summon is saying, is that once one woman went public, and a bunch of other women go public with the EXACT SAME STORY, it could be that they’re copycats. Maybe not, but maybe yeah, he could possibly be innocent. That’s why we have courts. Judge not…. until he’s gone up in front of a judge.
Debbie – This rapist does not have so much money that 30 women would think they could all get rich out of targeting him. Many of the victims are also black and if it didn’t happen you wouldn’t find a black saying that it did – they all stick together no matter what one has done, even when they are wrong.
Furthermore, many years ago a FAMOUS and monied woman made these allegations but it was discounted. She most certainly did NOT need his money. This discouraged others from coming forward for obvious reasons.
Kitty, just thought you should know comments like they all stick together no matter what one has done could be taken as you having an issue with people of color. Everyone has a right to their opinion but why do you have to bash someone who has not even been tried in court. And by your own words they would stick together even if they are wrong so could it not mean that others are saying the same thing just to stick together….I don’t think you realize how you sound…but hey again everyone is entitled to their opinion even if seems ridiculous. I’m not saying I would trust him because of what has been said but that does not mean I think he is guilty. If someone said something about you and even though you deny it how would you feel if people started making all kinds comments about you… just food for thought
What I ifnf disturbing in the comments are the slants towards race & nationality. This isn’t about anything but a possible crime or crimes that have yet to be proven. It’s the word of a number of women against one man. I find it interesting that so many people in these cases wait so very long to come out with accusations when they profess such huge atrocities against themselves, particularly someone like Janice Dickinson who is so very outspoken. I do t find it surprising Phylicia stands by Cosby, given their longstanding past relationship wherein she believed his character to be of a good person. I’m not sure how I feel about him, but I am interested in the outcome.
I think her speaking up for him speaks volumes. Obviously in all the time she was working with him she never saw him do anything inappropriate, either to her or anyone around them.