Today, Rose McGowan is at the frontlines of the #MeToo movement, pushing for change and transparency. But getting to this point has been a two-decade long journey of planning and strategizing for the actress and activist. McGowan told Cheddar that ever since Harvey Weinstein sexually assaulted her in 1997, she “set about going after him.” “[In] a very David vs. Goliath sort of way, I took a TV show that was not my pace,” she said, referring to her role as Paige Matthews in the hit show “Charmed.” “But strategically...I knew if I could go into the show and hang on, when it was time to press the button so to speak, it would be newsworthy all over the world.” Her determination to bring down Weinstein and upend Hollywood’s male-dominated structure is also driven by her childhood experience as part of the cult “Children of God,” which she said has many parallels with Hollywood. “Anytime you have a power structure with a few people at the top [who] are benefiting, and you aren’t, and you’re all doing things collectively that make it better for them…that really is the definition of a cult,” she explained. Hollywood “is a pretty beastly place” that is “making the mirror for you to look in,” which puts it in a dangerously powerful position, she said. Still, McGowan said she’s “inherently optimistic” and hasn’t let her experiences harden her. She recounts her journey of dealing with sexual assault in her new book “Brave.” For the full interview, [click here](https://cheddar.com/videos/rose-mcgowan-on-the-hollywood-cult).

Share:
More In Culture
The Deep End: The Great Outdoors
On this episode of "The Deep End," we're venturing outside. Whether it's spending time in a national park, turning streets into public spaces to relax in, or having an outside date near the beach, there's plenty to do in the great outdoors.
The Deep End: Food
In this episode of "The Deep End," Cheddar News is taking a closer look at something that we are all intimately familiar with: food. Whether it's a sign of cultural identity, the foundation of many businesses, or simply as a means of nourishing our bodies, food is an essential part of what it means to be human.
The Deep End: Entertainment
From Broadway to NFT art to TikTok, the world is getting more creative. On this episode of "The Deep End," Cheddar News explores the world of entertainment.
The Deep End: Social Justice
In this episode of "The Deep End," Cheddar News explores the social justice movements defining the start of a new decade. From systemic racism and climate change to police brutality and women's rights, these are just a few of the harsh realities America has reckoned with amid the COVID-19 pandemic. We're taking a closer look at where the nation stands today.
The Deep End: Taboo Topics
On this episode of "The Deep End," Cheddar News takes a closer look at taboo topics. Some people call them vices, while other people call them hobbies. But what we do know is the line between what is accepted and what is illicit is getting blurred more and more each day.
2022 Golden Globe Nominations
The Hollywood Foreign Press Association announced the nominees for the 79th Annual Golden Globe awards. The ceremony is set to take place on January 9, 2022. Gerrad Hall, senior awards editor at Entertainment Weekly, joins Cheddar News to discuss the nominations.
Women Say They Do Most Chores, Child Care: AP-NORC Poll
A University of Chicago Harris School of Public Policy and The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research poll finds that 35% of mothers report doing more than their partner for each of eight specified household responsibilities.
Load More