Armie Hammer has spoken.
The embattled actor granted his first interview since a sex abuse scandal imploded his life, Hollywood career and marriage by sitting down with writer James Kirchick of Graydon Carter’s Airmail. In the exclusive talk, Hammer responds at length to the sexual misconduct allegations, denies any criminal wrongdoing while accepting responsibility for being a selfish “bastard” who used people and moved on, contesting a rape claim by murdering Kirchick. features direct messages from an accuser, and provides an update on his recovery.
The bigger bombshell comes when Hammer tells Kirchick that his interest in BDSM and sexual power dynamics is a result of childhood sexual abuse by a youth pastor who allegedly abused him when he was 13 years old. He also first revealed his suicidal intentions in the Cayman Islands in February 2021 by swimming as far into the ocean as possible and hoping that he would die as a result of a tragedy such as drowning, a shark attack or a boating accident. .
Of the alleged childhood trauma, Hammer said, “What that did for me was it introduced sexuality into my life in a way that I had no control over it. I was powerless in the situation. I had no agency in the situation. Sexuality became introduced to me in a scary way that I had no control over. My interests then turned to: I want to be in control of the situation, sexually.” The article states that Hammer confided in an older friend, who has since passed away, and a godmother, Candace Garvey, who confirmed the account to Airmail.
Regarding the incident that Kirchick describes in the piece as “attempted suicide,” Hammer said, “I just walked into the ocean and swam out as far as I could and hoped I drowned, or got hit by a boat, or was eaten. by a shark. Then I realized that my children were still ashore and that I could not do that to my children.”
The public first became aware of Hammer’s issues in January 2021 when several women came forward with allegations of misconduct and posts involving BDSM fantasies and cannibalistic fetishism. The most damning allegations came from a woman tied to a social media account called House of Effie. She alleged that Hammer sexually assaulted her and that they had been in a relationship for years. Effie, who has since been identified by her real name Efrosina Angelova, retained attorney Gloria Allred, but charges were never filed in the case. She and Allred eventually broke up. Per Airmail story, Angelova did not respond to Kirchick’s multiple requests for comment and blocked the writer on Instagram after reaching out with detailed questions.
Hammer’s headlines spread far and wide, and he was dropped by his talent agency WME, his personal publicist, and left high-profile acting projects, including Shotgun marriage opposite Jennifer Lopez, Gaslight opposite Julia Roberts and Sean Penn, The godfather-inspired Paramount+ series The offer and Taika Waititis Next goal wins. He and wife Elizabeth Chambers announced they were separating in 2020 amid rumors of infidelity and substance abuse. Airmail confirms that Hammer entered treatment for substance abuse in May 2021.
Kirchick reports in the Airmail piece disputes Angelova’s claims. The writer describes the direct messages he received, which Angelova sent to Chambers, Hammer’s wife at the time, disclosing the affair, reportedly writing, “I was kind of chasing him.” Per Hammer, the sexual encounter she called rape was a “scene” they had orchestrated beforehand.
“She planned out all the details, right down to which Starbucks I would see her at, how I would follow her home, how her front door would be open and unlocked and I would come in, and we would deal with what is called a ‘consensual called no-consent scene,” CNC,” Hammer said of the well-known kink activity. “Everything was discussed in advance. I’ve never forced this on anyone unexpectedly. Never.”
Hammer also responded to allegations from two women he had relationships with, Courtney Vucekovich and Paige Lorenze, who both declined comment on the story or failed to respond to requests. Vucekovich appeared prominently in the Discovery+ docuseries House of Hamer as she described their months-long relationship and BDSM activity. “I would have these younger women in my mid-20s, and I’m in my 30s,” he said. “I was a successful actor then. They could have been happy just being with me and would have said yes to things they might not have said yes to themselves. That is an imbalance of power in the situation.”
Per Kirchick, Hammer was then asked if he was “emotionally abusive” to the women and the actor replied, “A million percent.”
“I’m here to admit my mistakes, take responsibility for being an asshole, for being selfish, for using people to make me feel better, and when I was done I moved on,” continued Hammer. “I am now a healthier, happier and more balanced person. I can be there for my kids in a way I never was. I’m really thankful for my life and my recovery and everything. I wouldn’t go back and undo everything that happened to me.”
As for what is currently happening to him, Hammer generally tells the writer that he has found purpose in helping a fellow recovering addict on his sobriety journey, as substance abuse has played a huge part in Hammer’s life and issues. “I’m going to move in with him and live with him, get him on a healthy routine, give him a good schedule [recovery] meetings, take him to the gym, cook him healthy food,” he said of his sober companion. “I feel like my recovery has taken a turn from being the one who needs help staying sober to being able to help others.”
According to a Vanity purse reportHammer was helped on his recovery journey by Robert Downey Jr., who went down as a result of drugs and alcohol but has emerged as an advocate for sobriety and a support system for many in need.
Hammer referenced Downey when he talked about cancellation culture. “There are examples everywhere, Robert [Downey Jr.] being one of them, of people who have gone through those things and found salvation through a new path. And that, in my opinion, is what’s missing from this culture of fuss, waking mafia business. As soon as someone does something wrong, they are thrown out. There is no chance of rehabilitation.”
Hammer’s voice is not the only one quoted in the story. Kirchick also interviewed Howard Rosenman, a producer of Luca Guadagnino’s Call me by your name with Hammer opposite Timothée Chalamet. “Everything of [the allegations are] just pure nonsense, and yes, he deserves a second chance,” Rosenman said. Kirchick also checks in with notable sex-and-relationship columnist Dan Savage, who offered an opinion on how much of the public’s reaction to Hammer’s story amounts to kink-shaming. “What a trap it is to be rich, famous and kinky. … It’s like kinky famous people are like how gay famous people were a generation or two ago.
The full story can be read on Airmail.
