Corey Feldman Warns About Hollywood Abuse, Faces Backlash

In October 2013, former child actor Corey Feldman made a bold statement on the ABC talk show The View, warning the hosts about the prevalence of sexual abuse in Hollywood. Feldman, who rose to fame as a child star alongside Corey Haim, discussed the trauma they both experienced at the hands of powerful individuals in the entertainment industry. During the segment, he claimed, “There were people that did this to both me and Corey that are still working, they’re still out there — and they’re some of the richest, most powerful people in this business.”

His revelations were met with skepticism, particularly from then-host Barbara Walters, who criticized his statements. When a co-host asked Feldman for advice to parents wishing to enter their children into the industry, he cautioned them, “Be careful what you wish for.” Feldman advised against viewing Hollywood as a glamorous place, stating, “Don’t go into it with naivety. Don’t go into it thinking that it’s all roses and sunglasses.”

Walters responded by implying that Feldman was harming the industry, saying, “You’re damaging an entire industry.” Feldman maintained his stance, stating, “I’m just trying to say that it’s a very important, serious topic.”

Fast forward to mid-October 2017, Feldman reiterated his stance in an interview with Access Hollywood, declaring, “Pedophilia is the number one problem in Hollywood.” This marked a pivotal moment as the #MeToo movement began to expose numerous cases of sexual misconduct within the industry, drawing attention to the darker aspects of Hollywood life.

Reflecting on the backlash he faced from Walters in 2013, Feldman expressed his disappointment in a recent conversation. He described it as “like a knife in the heart” when she dismissed his warnings. “It was shocking to me that somebody who I admired so much and I looked up to so much could be so deaf and so just completely wrong and off base,” he stated. Despite the lack of acknowledgment from Walters, he noted that some social media followers have offered apologies on her behalf, indicating a desire for accountability.

Feldman remains hopeful that one day victims of abuse will have the opportunity to speak out and seek justice. “I still am praying that one day my voice, Corey’s voice, all the voices of all the victims that I experienced and saw in my time as a child, get their voices heard,” he said. He expressed frustration over the lack of support from the industry, stating, “Honestly, nobody in Hollywood has really stood with me during this, and it’s been really rough.”

The conversation surrounding sexual abuse in Hollywood has gained significant traction, especially in the wake of the Jeffrey Epstein scandal, which has prompted widespread public outrage and calls for accountability. Feldman’s earlier warnings now resonate more profoundly as the industry grapples with its past.

In light of these developments, Feldman remains optimistic that change is on the horizon. “Tides seem to be changing,” he remarked, expressing a desire for his story to be told properly. As the conversation around abuse in Hollywood evolves, the importance of addressing these serious issues has never been more critical.