Emily Ratajkowski has spoken out about why she decided to break her silence over an alleged sexual assault at the hands of Robin Thicke.
Back in October, the 30-year-old model released her new book, titled My Body. In it, she writes how Thicke allegedly groped her while the pair were filming the music video to his 2013 hit, 'Blurred Lines'.
Per The Sunday Times, writes that she initially had no issues with the nudity required of her in the music video, but this changed when Thicke, now 44, "returned to the set a little drunk to shoot just with me."
Writing in her book, Ratajkowski states:
"Suddenly, out of nowhere, I felt the coolness and foreignness of a stranger’s hands cupping my bare breasts from behind. I instinctively moved away, looking back at Robin Thicke."
Ratajkowski adds: "He smiled a goofy grin and stumbled backward, his eyes concealed behind his sunglasses. My head turned to the darkness beyond the set." The model then writes that director Diane Martel yelled out to ask if Ratajkowski was okay.
"I pushed my chin forward and shrugged, avoiding eye contact, feeling the heat of humiliation pump through my body," the chapter adds. "I didn't react – not really, not like I should have."
Now, in a new interview with People TV (which is available to stream on Flash), Ratajkowski has spoken out about why she shared her story after eight years.
She said that the alleged claim was never supposed to be a "gotcha" moment against Thicke, but rather, an opportunity to help protect others.
"For me, the reason I shared that experience was because for so long I talked about how that video had been so empowering and how it felt so great," Ratajkowski said. "That’s still true, I had a lot of fun on that set.
"Especially, I was 21 and compared to other jobs I was doing at that time, it was a really good time. I was surrounded by women."
She continued:
"Then this one thing happened and I think that it says so much about power dynamics and all these amazing women who were there. None of us were in a position to do anything to protect each other and that’s why I told that story."
When questioned about how she would react if facing a similar situation now, the Gone Girl actor said: "I’m really in a different position.
"I have a name for myself so I would be in a position to say something, but I think there’s so many young women who aren’t. They’re not just models, they’re working all kinds of jobs. I think that’s why it’s important to talk about these things."
In another interview with People back in October, Ratajkowski made similar comments, telling the publication: "I was an unknown model and if I had spoken out or complained, I would not be where I am today, I would not be famous."
Prior to the release of Ratajkowski's book, director Martel spoke to The Times and appeared to confirm the incident took place - but that it would not have happened "had [Thicke] been sober".
"I remember the moment that he grabbed her breasts. One in each hand. He was standing behind her as they were both in profile. I screamed in my very aggressive Brooklyn voice, ‘What the fuck are you doing, that’s it!! The shoot is over,'" Martel told the newspaper. She also added that Thicke apologized after the incident.