Trigger Warning: This article includes discussion of alleged sexual assault.
After a seven-year absence from social media, James Franco is back. The 48-year-old actor, who largely stayed out of the public eye after 2018 allegations of sexual misconduct, has sparked conversation with a series of unusual TikTok and Instagram videos, including a claim that he encountered an alien.
James Franco’s TikTok mystery reaches its biggest reveal as viewers question the video’s authenticity
After teasing a major reveal for weeks, Franco, who has starred in films such as 127 Hours and Milk, posted a video on July 13 featuring what he claimed was evidence of extraterrestrial activity. The footage appeared to show an alien-like figure outside his home looking through his windows, reports Parade.
He said in the video, “I saw something, and I thought, you know what? I can’t keep this quiet. I need to get this out for that very reason that people are trying to stop me.” Many viewers were unimpressed by the reveal, with some calling the video staged. One commenter wrote, “Seriously?? We waited for this??” While some questioned how the alleged alien appeared to know the camera locations.
The Oscar-nominated actor has faced multiple allegations of sexual misconduct since 2018. Former students of Franco’s now-closed Studio 4 acting school, founded in 2014, Sarah Tither-Kaplan and Toni Gaal accused Franco of creating an environment where young women were allegedly subjected to sexual exploitation under the guise of education, states BBC.
In 2021, Franco settled a class-action lawsuit for $2.2 million and later admitted to relationships with students, acknowledging the power imbalance. The allegations also led to the end of his long-running friendship and professional partnership with Seth Rogen.
Have you or someone you love been sexually assaulted or abused? You are not alone. Contact RAINN 24/7 to connect with a real, live person who’s trained to help. https://rainn.org/help-and-healing/hotline/.
Originally reported by Meenakshi Sengupta for Reality Tea
