Winona Ryder Calls for Mel Gibson to Confront ‘His Demons’ Amid Anti-Semitic Allegations Resurgence. Hollywood Reacts to Stirring Controversy

“I wish him well on this lifelong journey,” Winona Ryder said of Mel Gibson in a statement obtained by PEOPLE

winona ryder, mel gibson

Winona Ryder; Mel Gibson . Photo: Noam Galai/Getty; Barry King/Getty

Winona Ryder is standing by her account of an allegedly anti-semitic encounter with Mel Gibson after it resurfaced in a recent interview.

The actress, 48, recalled comments the Braveheart star, 64, made toward her in an interview with The Sunday Times as she promoted her new HBO series The Plot Against America. Ryder previously spoke about the incident in a 2010 interview with GQ.

“I believe in redemption and forgiveness and hope that Mr. Gibson has found a healthy way to deal with his demons, but I am not one of them,” Ryder said in a statement obtained by PEOPLE.

“Around 1996, my friend Kevyn Aucoin and I were on the receiving end of his hateful words,” she said. “It is a painful and vivid memory for me. Only be accepting responsibility for our behavior in this life, can we make amends and truly respect each other, and I wish him well on this lifelong journey.”

The actress touched on her own experiences with anti-semitism in an interview with The Sunday Times in which she alleged Gibson had singled her out for being Jewish, asking if she was an “oven dodger.”

Ryder said she remembered being at “at a crowded party with one of [her] good friends” when Gibson made his alleged comments.

74th Annual Golden Globe Awards - Arrivals

Winona Ryder. Steve Granitz/WireImage

“Mel Gibson was smoking a cigar, and we’re all talking and he said to my friend, who’s gay ‘Oh wait, am I gonna get AIDS?'” Ryder told the outlet.

“And then something came up about Jews, and he said ‘You’re not an oven dodger, are you?'” she said.

Ryder added that Gibson “tried” to apologize at a later date.

A representative for Gibson said in response to her allegations, “This is 100% untrue. She lied about it over a decade ago, when she talked to the press, and she’s lying about it now. Also, she lied about him trying to apologize to her back then. He did reach out to her, many years ago, to confront her about her lies and she refused to address it with him.”

The Plot Against America is centered around World War II and is told through the eyes of a working-class Jewish family in America during the presidential rise of Charles Lindbergh as he turned the nation toward fascism.

It is currently available to stream on HBO Max.

Related Posts

Travis Kelce drops another retirement hint as Chiefs star reflects on Sunday’s game in native Cleveland

Has Travis Kelce played his final NFL game in Cleveland?The Cleveland Heights native discussed Sunday’s win over the Browns, which marked only the second time in his career he’s…

PHOTO: Caitlin Clark’s Younger Brother Puts WNBA Team Owner On Blast Following Her Ludicrous Comments About The Indiana Fever Superstar

Caitlin Clark (Photo by Getty Images)Caitlin Clark’s younger brother has put a WNBA owner on blast over her bizarre comments on the Indiana Fever star. Washington Mystics owner Sheila Johnson…

Taylor Swift sparks rumors she’s ENGAGED as fans spot bizarre detail at bash with Travis Kelce

Taylor Swift has sparked rumors she’s engaged to boyfriend Travis Kelce after fans noticed a bizarre detail in photos from her recent 35th birthday bash. It all kicked off on Wednesday…

VIDEO: A’ja Wilson Sends Social Media Into A Frenzy After Claiming She Would Beat Josh Hart In A 1v1

A’ja Wilson (Image Credit: @KnicksMuse/X)Las Vegas Aces star A’ja Wilson has emerged as one of the most prominent figures in women’s basketball. Her outstanding achievements and dominant performances…

NFL strikes landmark new deal in bid to capitalize on Taylor Swift interest boom after most-watched Super Bowl ever

THE NFL have struck a landmark new partnership deal in a bid to boost football’s popularity among women.According to reports, the NFL reached a partnership agreement with…

Taylor Swift makes huge security decision after Travis Kelce’s $6m mansion was targeted by crime gang

With the Eras Tour over, Taylor Swift is expected to spend the next few weeks in Kansas City with Travis Kelce – despite the Chiefs star being targeted by an international crime ring.Kelce’s $6million mansion was raided…