Energy Ebook II: Ghost star Michael Rainey Jr. broke his silence after experiencing an alleged sexual assault throughout Tylil James’ stay stream: “I can’t take this flippantly,” he mentioned.
Supply: John Nacion / Getty
We’ve watched Rainey navigate stunning, harmful, and seemingly unimaginable conditions because the ceaselessly intelligent Tariq St. Patrick. Sadly, Rainey endured a real-life stunning and seemingly unimaginable ordeal on digicam this previous weekend. On Sunday, June 9, the main man appeared on TyTy James’ Twitch stream, the place James’ sister appeared to grope him.
Michael Rainey Jr. Is “Nonetheless Processing” After He Was Touched Inappropriately
The 23-year-old was surrounded by James and several other of his members of the family when the streamer’s sister approached him. Whereas James was distracted, his sister whispered in Rainey’s ear and reached beneath his waist. Youngsters within the foreground blocked the complete view of what she did, however Rainey immediately regarded surprised and uncomfortable.
The actor instantly reached down as properly, showing to dam the unsolicited and non-consensual touching. He appeared to chuckle out of discomfort, which is a typical response to sexual harassment, particularly in public settings. Nevertheless, it clearly disturbed him as he regarded round, probably trying to find somebody who knew her to intervene.
Panic responses like freezing or awkward laughing don’t justify that habits or qualify as consent. The incident clearly bothered the actor, who reportedly left shortly after the now-viral second.
In keeping with a press release issued to PEOPLE, Rainey is understandably “deeply saddened and shocked by the occasions that occurred throughout the TyTy James stay stream this previous weekend. He’s nonetheless processing what occurred and doesn’t fully know the way to really feel about it.”
“This case will not be being taken flippantly. Sexual harassment and assault are critical and unacceptable acts. Making the most of somebody’s movie star on this method devalues entertainers and underscores the necessity to respect their humanity. Those that entertain us are human beings identical to everybody else,” the assertion continued.
Learn Michael Rainey Jr.’s response to the incident and Tylil James’ apology after the flip.
Michael Rainey Jr. Speaks Out In His Personal Phrases: “Sexual Assault Is By no means Okay, Regardless Of Gender”

Supply: Steven Ferdman / Getty
Rainey took to social media to deal with the state of affairs in his personal phrases on Monday. He posted a press release on Instagram Tales that he was “nonetheless in shock” and condemns what occurred to him. The hypersexual myths about males typically go away them susceptible and unsupported when they’re victims of sexual harassment and assault. Rainey made it clear this violation is unacceptable when it occurs to anybody.
“At this level, everybody has seen the video circulating on-line. I’m nonetheless in shock and don’t absolutely know the way to course of what occurred final evening. That is an unlucky state of affairs that I don’t condone in any means. I can’t take it flippantly as a result of I do know I might be in deep trouble if the roles had been reversed,” he wrote on Monday.
“The actual fact is, sexual assault isn’t okay, no matter gender or standing. We’re all human, and we should always respect one another. Most significantly, we should always at all times respect ourselves,” the assertion concluded.
Other than Energy govt producer 50 Cent rapidly laughing off the incident as an “aggressive advance,” feedback flooded in to assist and defend Rainey.
Many agreed that it was inappropriate and by no means ought to have occurred, identical to when YK Osiris aggressively tried to kiss Sukihana with out consent.
Hopefully, Rainey has the assist he wants in his private {and professional} life.
Tylil James Apologizes For His Sister Violating Michael Rainey Jr.
The Twitch streamer expressed his disappointment in his sister when Rainey abruptly left following the incident. James additionally issued a press release on Instagram Tales on Monday to apologize to Rainey for his “utterly mistaken” sister.
“After the actions that occurred throughout my stream final evening, I wish to sincerely apologize to Michael and his household for what came about. My little sister was utterly mistaken and out of line. What she did was very inappropriate and unacceptable. I’m actually embarassed and disgusted by her actions,” he wrote.
“I utterly respect no matter course Michael needs to go on this state of affairs. After watching the clip, I used to be utterly taken again by what she performed. I’ll take excessive precautions with future streams to keep away from comparable points and have banned her from taking part in future streams. I don’t condone any kind of assault,” the assertion ended.