“Blindspot” actress Jaimie Alexander defended Chris Hardwick in a pair of tweets, writing that she will “support my friend.”
“Guys- I’ve know [sic]. Chris Hardwick for over 10 years. I knew him through his breakup with said accuser,” she wrote on Thursday. “With the personal knowledge I have regarding this situation I am choosing to follow my heart, my instincts, and support my friend,” added Alexander.
https://twitter.com/JaimieAlexander/status/1012414504498532355
Hardwick was accused by ex-girlfriend Dysktra in a Medium post of mental and sexual abuse during their three-year relationship, and that he tried to derail her career after they broke up four years ago. Though Dykstra did not name identify Hardwick by name in the post, the timing and key details suggested that she was referring to the former “@Midnight” host and Comic-Con mainstay.
Alexander also supported a Change.org petition aimed at AMC to bring Hardwick back. AMC declined to comment.
https://twitter.com/JaimieAlexander/status/1012407806912327680
AMC, which has collaborated for years with Hardwick on aftershows for hit series like “Breaking Bad” and “The Walking Dead,” has indefinitely shelved “Talking With Chris Hardwick.” NBC is also considering dropping Hardwick as the host of its game show, “The Wall,” which begins production on its next season in September.
Nerdist employees who worked under Hardwick told TheWrap that the controlling behavior described by Dykstra was consisted with their personal experience interacting with the podcast host.
But Hardwick has had some notable defenders, including his wife, Lydia Hearst, his mother-in-law, Patty Hearst, and fellow podcast host Adam Carolla, who described Hardwick on his show as a “gentle soul of a guy.” Hardwick’s ex-girlfriend, “Bloodline” actress Jacinda Barrett, said on Instagram Monday that Chloe Dykstra’s story “bears no resemblance to the one I shared with him all those years ago.”
Hours after Dykstra’s post was published, Nerdist Industries, the podcast-based digital media empire launched by Hardwick and sold to Legendary Entertainment in 2012, removed Hardwick’s name from the website. In a statement, Legendary said Hardwick had not had any operational involvement with Nerdist for more than two years.
Hardwick has also stepped down as moderator on Hall H panels for AMC’s “The Walking Dead” and BBC’s “Doctor Who” at this year’s San Diego Comic-Con.