Casey Affleck has withdrawn from presenting the best actress award at the 2018 Oscars.
Traditionally, he would have been expected to present the award for best actress as the reigning best actor winner. Amid continued concerns about sexual harassment allegations, however, Affleck’s publicist said Thursday that the actor would not attend the ceremony. An Academy of Motion Pictures Arts & Sciences spokesperson told NBC News that they “appreciate the decision to keep the focus on the show and on the great work of this year.” Affleck faced sexual harassment allegations in 2010 in two public civil suits during the production of the mockumentary I’m Still Here. The allegations gained additional attention last year before the release of Manchester by the Sea, the film that earned Affleck his best actor Oscar. Actress Brie Larson made headlines when she did not clap while presenting Affleck with the award at the 2017 ceremony. The spotlight recently turned back to Affleck and the allegations when the #MeToo movement exploded in October.
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