Golden Globes 2018: Sarah Hyland accused of 'glorifying rape culture' with 'drunk' elevator video

Last night’s [7 January] Golden Globes were more political than ever before as celebrity nominees and guests showed unity against sexual harassment within the industry by wearing black in the Time’s Up initiative.

The stars were fighting back in light of the recent Harvey Weinstein scandal, which saw dozens of women come forward with stories of sexual assault, abuse, and even rape within their careers.

Given the circumstances of the night, Modern Family star Sarah Hyland has come under fire for an elevator video that she made at the InStyle magazine after party.

Stars including Vanessa Hudgens, Miranda Kerr, and the cast of Stranger Things all had a turn in the iconic lift, but Sarah was the only one to spark controversy after she opened the scene swigging from a bottle of champagne and acting “drunk”.

Draping herself over the elderly attendant, Sarah steals the man’s hat as she prepares to leave before stumbling backwards, into the attendant’s arms, giggling.

Both InStyle and Sarah posted the video to their Instagram page, with Sarah adding the caption: “2018 starting off great. Tip #1: When you drink alone. Drink alone w/ #JohntheBellHop @instylemagazine #goldenglobes party [sic]”.

She then tweeted: “#JohntheBellHop is a very nice old man. FYI. *completely sober* [sic]”.

But her fans were unimpressed, with followers accusing the 27-year-old star of “missing the mark” with her giggly, drunken act on a night that had women fighting back against men taking advantage of them.

Commenting on Instagram, one critic wrote: “The idea of wearing black tonight was for the #TimesUp movement against sexual assault & this video completely contradicts every piece of hard work being done to stand up for our rights.

“It’s sending the wrong message and it’s morally inappropriate. How can we demand respect when this kind of behaviour is considered funny, cute and ok. #NotOkay”.

Others added: “Disgusting way of glorifying rape culture and making light of it. And on a night like tonight where so many women were standing up against abuse and sexual harassment? This is so tone deaf. ”

“I feel this was in poor taste but okay.”

“Ah, yes, a sober man grabbing a drunk young woman around the waist as the elevator doors close…. that’s not creepy at all.”

Sarah has not commented on the backlash and Yahoo Celeb UK have contacted her reps for comment.

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