At first speaking event in 5 years, Kevin Spacey to receive lifetime achievement award
Kevin Spacey will receive a lifetime achievement award from the United Nations on Monday, his first public appearance since allegations of sexual abuse came to light last week that he had settled with dozens of women for sexual assault and battery claims.
Spacey was scheduled to receive the award from Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon at the U.N. headquarters in Manhattan. The award is given in recognition of “exceptional service.”
It was one of the evening’s major highlights, aside from the speech, which was made available online to the public as a video-stream.
In a live, televised address, Spacey will say at the end, “There are many women out there who did not come forward during the course of this controversy. It’s time to let them go.”
Spacey’s wife, Camila Alves, has announced she will take the year off from appearing in Hollywood productions in order to dedicate herself to their two children. She has been with Spacey for 17 years and their children were born in 2017.
Spacey is set to appear on Saturday at the Broadway Musical “Grease,” starring and directed by Robert Guillaume.
Spacey was previously set to be honored at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, in February. That award ceremony has been canceled.
The awards, which have been given annually since 1996, are presented to “exceptional service” to humanity, according to the World Economic Forum.
“I am proud that the United Nations is taking action regarding the important work they do for women, women’s empowerment and children and I will continue working with them to promote and protect the rights of women and girls,” Spacey said in a statement. “I am grateful to the many people who have contacted me directly to express their continuing support.”
Spacey’s speech will mark the first public appearance of the actor since allegations of sexual abuse came to light against him