Ansel Elgort denies sexually assaulting teen in 2014 – but apologizes for ‘cruel’ way he ended ‘consensual’ relationship
ANSEL Elgort has broken his silence to deny claims he sexually assaulted a 17-year-old girl in 2014 after meeting her on Snapchat.
The actor's accuser, a young woman named Gabby, came forward on Friday claiming that she first began messaging the now 26-year-old shortly before her 17th birthday.
Gabby, who did not reveal her last name, made a statement on Twitter claiming that she and Elgort had spoken over Snapchat and that the alleged sexual assault took place in 2014 - the year Elgort turned 20.
After reading the allegations on social media, a “distressed” Elgort took to Instagram on Saturday to deny the accusations against him.
The Baby Driver star said he “cannot claim to understand Gabby’s feelings” but insisted that “her description of events is simply not what happened.”
The actor continued: “I have never and would never assault anyone. What is true is that in New York in 2014, when I was 20, Gabby and I had a brief, legal and entirely consensual relationship.
“Unfortunately, I did not handle the breakup well.”
Though the actor said the relationship was "consensual" and "legal" — as the age of consent in New York is 17 — he admitted that he was “immature” about the situation by not responding to any of her messages, which was a “cruel thing to do.”
He continued: “I know this belated apology does not absolve me of my unacceptable behavior when I disappeared.
“As I look back at my attitude, I am disgusted and deeply ashamed of the way I acted.
“I am truly sorry. I know I must continue to relfect, learn, and work to grow empathy.”
Elgort chose to speak out after Gabby accused him of sexually assaulting her when she was 17, back in 2014.
In a post on Twitter, she claimed: "I was sexually assaulted a couple days after I just turned 17.
"I was only f**king 17. And he was in his 20s. He knew what he was doing.
"I'm not posting this to 'clout chase' because I simply don't care for that.
"I'm posting this so I can finally heal and I know I'm not alone and he's done this to other girls."
Gabby also said that she was "sobbing in pain" during the alleged assault and claimed that the actor said: "We need to break you in."
TWITTER ACCUSATION
Elgort, set to star as Tony in an upcoming adaptation of West Side Story, was accused of giving his private Snapchat username to Gabby, after she had messaged him.
She continued: "I had dmed (direct messaged) him on when it was two days before my 17th birthday and I got his private Snapchat.
"I didn't think he'd ever see my dm I was just a kid and was a fan of him.
"So when it happened instead of asking me if I wanted to stop having sex knowing it was my first time and I was sobbing in pain and I didn't want to do it the only words that came out of his mouth were 'we need to break you in' I WASNT there in that moment mentally.
"I disassociated myself and felt like my mind was gone I was in shock I couldn't leave I was only 5'2 and 98 pounds. He made me think this was how sex was supposed to be. I WAS SO YOUNG AND HE KNEW THAT."
Gabby also alleged that the actor asked to have a threesome with her and one of her friends, who was also underage at the time.
She added: "He as well said stuff like 'you're going to be such a beautiful young lady when you're older.' I was f**king 17. He not only did that but asked me for nudes.
"I was only 17. As well as asked to have a threesome with me and one of my 'dance friends'... and I didn't tell anyone because he said it could 'ruin his career' i sat there for months wondering what I did wrong."
'RUIN HIS CAREER'
"Wondering why I felt so used. Years later I have ptsd, I have panic attacks I go to therapy. Finally I'm ready to talk about it and finally heal.
"I just want to heal and I want to tell other girls who have been through the same s**t as me, you're not alone.
"It's a lot for me to even come on here and tell my story but I know it's needed.
"There so much more to my story I simply don't want to post it all. I will tweet screenshots and pictures of me and him down below."
Gabby also shared what appeared to be a photo of herself, covering her face, sitting next to the actor.
Another photo shows a direct message exchange from 21 December 2014, which she claims was between herself and Elgort.
The timestamp means that the alleged assault would have taken place that same month, making Elgort 20 years old at the time.
Gabby later, in a separate tweet, wrote: "It's a lot for me to post this but I think it's time I finally talk about my story of me being sexually assaulted I need to heal and I want others to know they're not alone."
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Ansel started his acting career playing a role in the 2013 horror film Carrie, and recently starred in the film adaptation of The Goldfinch.
He also starred in romantic teen dramas The Fault In Our Stars and The Divergent Series.
