Why Charlize Theron refuses to name her harasser — and what it means

On Alex Cooper’s Call Her Daddy podcast, Oscar-winning actress Charlize Theron opened up about a disturbing 1994 encounter with a “very famous director” who lured her to his home under the guise of an audition. She recounted how he greeted her in silk pajamas and touched her leg. Although she quickly left, the incident lingered with her, becoming part of a wider pattern of abuse many women face in the entertainment industry.

Theron said she’s chosen not to name him—not to protect him, but to keep the focus on her story, not his identity. “I don’t want the story to be about him,” she said, adding that she takes comfort in knowing he’s likely living in fear that she could expose him at any moment.

Charlize Theron Describes Director’s “Pretend Apology” After Harassment Allegation

After Theron first spoke publicly about the incident in 2019, she received a letter from the director—one she describes as a “classic” example of a panicked and performative apology. Rather than owning up to the harm, the letter tried to frame the encounter as a “misunderstanding.” Theron rejected the gesture outright, saying it only solidified her belief that he hadn’t changed. Instead of helping his image, it highlighted his unwillingness to take real accountability.

Blaming Herself: Charlize Theron Calls Out Victim-Shaming in Sexual Harassment Cases

During the interview, Theron reflected on how society teaches victims to blame themselves for sexual harassment. She admitted that for years, she questioned how she handled the situation and struggled with shame. “There’s this narrative that if you don’t say something right away, you’re complicit or protecting the abuser,” she said. Theron criticized this mindset, saying it isolates survivors and pressures them into silence. Her decision to share her story now is part of an effort to break that harmful pattern.

Charlize Theron on MeToo and Storytelling Without Naming Names

Rather than naming her abuser, Charlize Theron emphasized the importance of sharing her truth as part of the broader #MeToo movement. She believes there’s power in being vulnerable and speaking out, even without identifying the perpetrator. By doing so, she hopes to give voice to other survivors who may feel silenced, showing that it’s possible to reclaim your story without being forced to “out” someone.

Why Charlize Theron Hasn’t Named Her Harasser — And May Never Do So

Though Theron has shared her experience with journalists privately in the past, she said media outlets have chosen to redact the director’s identity, likely due to legal fears. Still, she insists she has no current plans to name him publicly, especially if doing so would shift focus away from her message. “There’s a right time for everything,” she explained, and this moment—while promoting a podcast or film—isn’t it.

Charlize Theron Reclaims Her Narrative in Hollywood Harassment Conversation

Ultimately, Theron’s decision is rooted in narrative control and self-empowerment. By choosing how and when to tell her story, she resists sensationalism and reaffirms that survivors have the right to speak on their terms. Her story is not about one man—it’s about a system that enables abuse and a woman who found the strength to confront it, even if she never says his name.