Joe Budden Apologizes to Olivia Dope Following Sexual Harassment Allegation: “I Take Accountability For This”
Just a day after DJ and podcast host Olivia Dope accused the rapper and media personality Joe Budden of sexual harassment, he’s now speaking out to apologize.
In a statement issued Tuesday, May 18th, to Rolling Stone, Budden responded: “As a podcaster, it is my job to address topics and create dialogue around them. During the conversation on the See, The Thing Is podcast I didn’t handle the topics with the sensitivity they deserved. I recognize my words and power in that situation created an upsetting environment for Olivia. Upon reflection, both the network and I take accountability for this.”
As we previously reported, Olivia bravely spoke out to detail her experience working on the Joe Budden Network for the “See, The Thing” podcast where she explained that he made sexually suggestive remarks. She called the experience overall “traumatizing” and “embarrassing” and proceeded to mention several specific points during the episode where she said Budden was harassing her. In Budden’s lengthy statement, he also said: “I apologize sincerely to Olivia, her former co-hosts, our staff, and the public. In an effort to not further any trauma, the episode will be removed from all platforms. We support all women’s rights to feel comfortable and protected in the workplace.”
He went on to say, “We fell short of that in this instance. We support Olivia in her quest to heal, applaud her for finding the strength to share her experience, and wish her the best in all her future endeavors. I am taking the time to listen and learn; we have already begun to make the necessary changes to ensure this is a safe environment for all moving forward. We at the network endeavor to continue to elevate Black women’s voices and create opportunities to have constructive conversations to impact change.”
Olivia has yet to respond or react to Budden’s apology.
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