Sharon Stone Names Producer Who Pressured Her To Sleep With Co-Star

During a recent revelation on Spotify's Louis Theroux Podcast, legendary actress Sharon Stone, renowned for her role in the iconic film 'Basic Instinct,' has bravely come forward to disclose the identity of the Hollywood producer who once pressured her into compromising situations on set. The shocking incident dates back to the filming of the 1993 thriller 'Sliver,' where Stone was coerced by the late producer Robert Evans, shedding light on the pervasive culture of coercion and exploitation that has long plagued the entertainment industry.

The Disturbing Encounter

During the filming of the 1993 thriller 'Sliver,' Sharon Stone found herself ensnared in a distressing and toxic  scenario set up by none other than Robert Evans, a popular figure in Hollywood who passed away in 2019. Stone, in her 2021 memoir, "The Beauty of Living Twice," had previously touched upon the incident without disclosing the individuals involved. However, Stone recounted the chilling encounter on Spotify's Louis Theroux Podcast, where she revealed the appalling details of Evans' attempt to manipulate her for the sake of the film's success. Stone recounted the harrowing experience of being summoned to Evans' office amid her filming schedule, only to be subjected to a disturbing proposition. Evans, known for his contributions to cinematic masterpieces like 'Rosemary's Baby' and 'The Godfather,' callously suggested that Stone engage in sex with her co-star, Billy Baldwin, in a misguided attempt to salvage the film.

She quoted Evans as saying, "If I could sleep with Billy, then we’d have chemistry on screen and save the movie. The real problem was me because I was so uptight, and not like a real actress who could just..."

Stone also divulged Evans' coercive tactics, wherein he shamelessly asserted that intimacy between Stone and Baldwin would translate into on-screen chemistry, thereby rescuing the faltering production. She expressed her frustration, stating, "Now all of a sudden I’m in the ‘I have to fuck people’ business," insinuating that such compromises became a consequence of poor casting choices made by studio heads.

 With casting approval and high expectations, Stone found herself in a perplexing situation. The production, initially granting her various approvals, later labeled the arrangement as a "vanity deal," stripping away her control over crucial decisions. The actress also revealed her dissatisfaction with the casting decisions made by Evans, who ignored her suggestions, including proposing her "Basic Instinct" co-star Michael Douglas. The shift from working with a seasoned actor like Douglas to Baldwin, a relative newcomer at the time, added to Stone's frustration.

Fallout and Career Impact

The repercussions of Stone's refusal to comply with Evans's demands, as per her account, were severe. She alleged that she was subsequently labeled as 'difficult', leading to a noticeable decline in the quality and prominence of the roles offered to her. Stone asserted that even after her acclaimed performance in Martin Scorsese’s 1995 gangster film "Casino," where she earned an Oscar nomination, she was denied further important opportunities in Hollywood.

Stone went on to recount an encounter with director Francis Ford Coppola, who warned her about the industry's biased nature. According to Stone, Coppola told her, "It’s because this room can’t hear opera. They don’t let us win because they don’t want us to take over the system," revealing an insidious undercurrent in the film industry, where talented actresses are allegedly marginalized and denied recognition.

In response to the challenges faced in Hollywood, Stone transitioned to television roles, featuring in dramas like "Mosaic" and "Agent X," where she also served as an executive producer. Her revelations extend beyond personal experiences, touching on broader issues within the entertainment industry, such as the  gender pay gap. In 2015, she also publicly criticized the industry's inequities, stating, "After Basic Instinct, no one wanted to pay me."

Baldwin's Response and Counterclaims

Billy Baldwin, responding to Stone's allegations on social media, questioned her motives and claimed she had once expressed romantic interest in him. He hinted at potential revelations of "disturbing, kinky, and unprofessional tales" about Stone, suggesting the possibility of writing a book. Notably, Robert Evans passed away in 2019, Stone's description of Evans' office, including malted milk balls, aligns with her 2021 memoir, providing a degree of corroboration to her account.

Stone's candid remarks about being marginalized and pigeonholed within the industry shed light on the broader issues of ageism, sexism, and discrimination that continue to plague Hollywood.  As the #MeToo movement continues to make waves across Hollywood, Stone's advocacy for gender equality and fair treatment in the workplace echos not only within the confines of the entertainment industry but across all professions.