By Daily Mail (World News) | Created at 2024-10-30 09:50:16 | Updated at 2024-10-30 15:22:09
8 hours ago
A Miss Switzerland-turned actress has described having to fight off predatory Hollywood producers.
Nadine Vinzens, 41, has revealed the horrifying experiences she had with powerful and well-known film producers while trying to make it in Hollywood.
After winning the Miss Switzerland title in 2002 and working as a model in Germany for two years, Vinzens moved to Los Angeles in 2004 to follow her acting dreams.
For 15 years, she met various celebrities while attending high-profile parties - but also saw the horrors lurking in the shadows of glamourous Hollywood.
During one particularly terrifying encounter, the Swiss actress was forced to lock herself in a bathroom to escape a producer after he allegedly started to grope her, telling her she would have to 'sleep there with him'.
She said she was even once told by another producer who could have helped kick start her career: 'If you don't open your legs for me, I won't help you.'
Nadine Vinzens (pictured), 41, has revealed the horrifying experiences she had with powerful and well-known film producers while trying to make it in Hollywood
For 15 years, she met various celebrities while attending high-profile parties - but also saw the horrors lurking in the shadows of glamourous Hollywood
After winning the Miss Switzerland title in 2002 (pictured above after being crowned in September 2002) and working as a model in Germany for two years, Vinzens moved to Los Angeles in 2004 to follow her acting dreams
Vinzens claims she was flown to New York by a film producer in 2009 who reportedly wanted to take her to a film gala and introduce her to important people in the industry.
He reportedly suggested they meet in the hotel lobby. But when the producer picked her up, Vinzens claims he told her they 'had to go up to his room quickly'.
'He closed the door behind him and told me to make myself comfortable, that the hotel was fully booked and that I would sleep there with him,' she told Swiss tabloid Blick.
'Then he started to grope me.'
She fought back and pushed him away before running into the bathroom and locking herself in, she told the newspaper.
In a panic, she called her family and friends back in Switzerland to ask for advice.
While on the phone with one friend, she left the bathroom and told the producer she had to leave immediately.
She said he then 'grumpily' unlocked the door.
When she went to reception to ask for a free room, they told her that there were indeed a few rooms available - contrary to what the producer had claimed.
She booked herself a room, where she locked herself in before taking the next flight back to LA. Vinzens said she never heard from the producer again.
But this wasn't the only time predatory men used the introduction of Vinzens to 'important people' as a smokescreen for unwanted sexual advances.
The incident in New York wasn't the only time predatory men used the introduction of Vinzens to 'important people' as a smokescreen for sexual advances
Another of her horror stories from her time with the rich and famous in Hollywood saw a producer telling her he would take her to an event, but then urged her to go to his hotel room with him - which Vinzens did, saying she trusted him
Miss Switzerland 2002 Nadine Vinzens attends the opening ceremony and 'Green Book' premiere during the 14th Zurich Film Festival at Kino Corso on September 27, 2018 in Zurich, Switzerland
Another of her horror stories from her time with the rich and famous in Hollywood saw a producer telling her he would take her to an event, but then urged her to go to his hotel room with him - which Vinzens did, saying she trusted him.
He allegedly told her to get into his bed. Even though she said no, he touched and pushed her.
She said: 'I was beside myself with shock and fear, but I managed to free myself and ran out. I suspect he wanted to rape me. I would never have suspected such behaviour from him.'
Vinzens did not report the producer, since she said it would be a 'he said she said' situation and she had no proof.
Five years ago, the model said she was invited to audition for a role at Warner Bros. Studios.
'The producer was thrilled, called me shortly afterwards and said I had done great. He wanted to meet me at his house,' she told Blick.
But when she told him that she would take her boyfriend to accompany, the producer alleged shouted insults at her, saying he didn't want to 'push women who have a partner' before hanging up the phone.
'They lure you with career boosts, but all they want is sex. Nothing else,' Vinzens, who also works as a DJ, said.
One producer allegedly told Vinzens to get into his bed. Even though she said no, he touched and pushed her
Vinzens said it was the 'sick Hollywood system' that was keeping these practices under wraps
She said these men knew that a lot of stars are prepared to do this, but refused to say who these women are - for her own safety - but indicated that the men she was talking about were 'behind the camera' and 'not yet on the radar'.
Vinzens said it was the 'sick Hollywood system' that was keeping these practices under wraps.
'I know that this system, sex for career opportunities, is still the order of the day today and will continue to exist,' she told Blick.
'That makes me all the more grateful to every woman who rebels against the perversion of men in power and pillories them.'
