Back on the stand for the first time in five years, ex-actress Jessica Mann gave a moving testimony to a New York jury about the rape she claims was committed against her by disgraced film producer Harvey Weinstein. The 38-year-old actress wept as she described the horrifying experience inside a Midtown DoubleTree Hotel room in 2013, when Weinstein lured her there, injected himself with a drug to treat erectile dysfunction, and subjected her to penetrative sex.
This is about the moment when I just gave up,” Mann said, describing how Weinstein blocked the door and forced her to undress. The trauma carried over even beyond the attack itself—she discovered a needle in the garbage marked with a word that looked like “necro-something.” “I looked it up on Google and it meant ‘dead penis,'” she told the jury. “I was creeped out. Did I get exposed to something? It was frightening.
Despite the trauma, Jessica Mann testified that she began a complicated and agonizing relationship with Weinstein subsequently. “I just decided to have a relationship with him. I’m sorry if that’s a bad decision. I just did. I also just wanted to buy time because I didn’t know how to handle it,” she testified, crying on the witness stand. This admission highlights the complex and frequently stigmatized reactions of sexual violence survivors.
Subhead: A Two-Faced Monster
Mann characterized Weinstein as a “Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde” type, recalling the old legend of a man with two personalities—one flattering and affirming, the other brutal and violent. “Sometimes he would affirm me so much. But the word ‘No’ was like a trigger to him. This other personality, I referred to as ‘The Monster side,’ would emerge,” Mann disclosed.
She also recounted an earlier assault, when Weinstein forced oral sex on her during their first private meeting in Los Angeles, under the guise of discussing a script. She called the encounter a “battle,” highlighting the coercive and forceful nature of Weinstein’s abuse.
Subheading: Fear and Power Dynamics
Jessica Mann also testified to the widespread fear that had silenced her and others for so long. She described why she had been afraid to speak out against Weinstein, given his influential relationships, including with then-US President Bill Clinton. “I can remember thinking if ever I said something, he’d call his friend and the Secret Service would come pick me up,” she testified.
Notably, Mann explained she never took money from Weinstein, saying, “It just felt like you’re trying to pay me like a dirty prostitute. I never wanted his dirty money. I wasn’t for sale.” This statement dispels any myth that money drives survivors.
Subheading: The Retrial and Its Significance
The retrial comes after the reversal of Weinstein’s 2020 conviction on Mann-related charges. The 73-year-old could face 25 years in prison if convicted on the most severe charges. Mann is the third and last accuser to take the stand, having followed testimony from former teen model Kaja Sokola and production assistant Miriam “Mimi” Haley, each testifying to similar assaults. Prosecutors seek to prove a pattern of predatory conduct, bolstering the case against Weinstein.
As this high-profile trial plays out, Jessica Mann’s raw and emotional testimony is a poignant reminder of the strength it takes for survivors to pursue justice. It also sheds light on the complicated nature of abuse, the abuse of power, and the ongoing fight to hold predators accountable.
