IN JANUARY 2018, Aziz Ansari found himself at the centre of a media storm when a woman named Grace accused the actor and stand-up comedian of sexual misconduct.
Grace asserted that she had gone on a date with Aziz the previous September, and was made to feel uncomfortable during a sexual encounter with the actor that same evening.
The article, which was published on Babe.net, was met with a mixed response at the time, with some showing support for Grace and others dubbing it an insult to the #MeToo movement.
Indeed, there were consistent implications among the press and public that the scenario depicted in the article was more akin to ‘a bad date’ than sexual misconduct.
Responding to the article, Aziz released a statement at the time, asserting that he was concerned to hear that Grace had felt uncomfortable.
Aziz confirmed their date, and then explained:
The next day, I got a text from her saying that although “it may have seemed okay,” upon further reflection, she felt uncomfortable.
“It was true that everything did seem okay to me, so when I heard that it was not the case for her, I was surprised and concerned,” he continued.
I took her words to heart and responded privately after taking the time to process what she had said.
This week, Aziz appeared at the Village Underground, the Comedy Cellar’s second venue, and reflected on this particular incident, with the benefit of 12 months hindsight.
“It’s a terrifying thing to talk about,” he told the audience.
According to Vulture, the comedian then offered an insight into his thought process in the aftermath of the highly-publicised allegation.
There were times I felt really upset and humiliated and embarrassed, and ultimately I just felt terrible this person felt this way. But you know, after a year, how I feel about it is, I hope it was a step forward. It made me think about a lot, and I hope I’ve become a better person.
Aziz then said he hoped the situation might have a wider impact, and ultimately turn a negative into a positive.
If that has made not just me but other guys think about this, and just be more thoughtful and aware and willing to go that extra mile, and make sure someone else is comfortable in that moment, that’s a good thing.
Twitter has now responded to Aziz’s on-stage soul-searching in the aftermath of his recent appearance.
So.....he’s learned what exactly? Being sure you have consent is “going the extra mile”? Fucking really? No dude. That’s the fucking starting line.
— Monica Byrne (@monicabyrne13) February 12, 2019
Hmmm, you know some men just don’t have any sexual misconduct allegations to address.
— CNF (@ClemondNFlinch) February 12, 2019
Did he include an actual apology in there at all? Because I have yet to see him offer one.
— Grumpy Old Manchild (@snakebitcat) February 12, 2019
He thoughtfully described how he behaved like a total creep?
— Don Quijote (@conejito_7) February 13, 2019
last night at his show in nyc, aziz addressed the sexual misconduct allegations against him in a really thoughtful way. i wish more men would do the same. https://t.co/KVh4484Tad
— Anna Silman (@annaesilman) February 12, 2019
Glad to see Aziz begin to reflect on and reckon with the allegations that came out against him last year. I wish this sort of reflection would happen more often. https://t.co/Cmye1mlQ8x
— Emma Gray (@emmaladyrose) February 12, 2019
Glad to hear it. When I saw him earlier this year he ignored it completely.
— chrissy (@chrissydid) February 12, 2019
What "sexual misconduct"? He was a shitty and over-eager date. Most men learn not to be one the hard way. That's how you grow up.
— Don Nuk'em (@don_nukem) February 12, 2019
