The Rookie star Afton Williamson names alleged on set harassers

The Rookie actress Afton Williamson has accused her co-star Demetrius Grosse and an on set hairstylist of sexually harassing her.
The TV star released a statement via Instagram on Sunday (04Aug19), revealing she will not be returning to the ABC police drama for a second season, claiming she experienced racial discrimination, inappropriate comments and was sexually harassed by a guest star.
On Monday evening, the actress thanked her fans and friends for their support, and went into further detail about her allegations, accusing Grosse of harassing her and claiming hair department head Sally Nicole Ciganovich racially bullied and sexually assaulted her.
The 34-year-old told her Instagram followers she was, “A victim of injustice. victim of assault. A victim of abuse and harassment.”
Naming those allegedly responsible, she added: “This season on The Rookie, I was sexually harassed by fellow actor Demetrius Grosse. I was Racially Bullied and Discriminated against and Sexually Assaulted by Hair Department Head Sally (sic) Nicole Ciganovich.”
She also stated “God” had given her the power and strength to speak up about the issue of harassment and urged her followers to fight for change in society.
Grosse and Ciganovich are yet to publicly address the allegations, which have not been independently verified.
Detailing her allegations in her original post, Williamson wrote: “Throughout the filming of the pilot, I experienced Racial Discrimination/Racially Charged inappropriate comments from the hair department and bullying from Executive Producers. During the Season, it continued along with Sexual Harassment from a recurring guest star and the racist commentary & bullying from the Hair Dept. Head escalated into Sexual Assault at our Wrap party.”
According to Variety, ABC president Karey Burke addressed Williamson’s bombshell claims at the network’s Television Critics Association summer press tour, saying ABC chiefs are “waiting for the results of that investigation” before deciding upon action.
Williamson, who played trainee officer Talia Bishop alongside the show’s star Nathan Fillion, alleges the only time she was asked to participate in an investigation was after a meeting she called in June (19), following the announcement of season two.