"Bohemian Rhapsody" Director Bryan Singer Has Been Accused Of Abuse By A Former Assistant

    "I am a victim of Bryan Singer.”

    Larry Fitzmaurice
    by Larry Fitzmaurice

    BuzzFeed Staff

    This article contains descriptions of abusive behavior and references to sexual assault.

    Bryan Singer has directed critically and commercially successful films like X-Men, The Usual Suspects, and Bohemian Rhapsody.

    Singer looks at the camera at a step-and-repeat
    Jason Laveris / FilmMagic

    In an essay published by Variety, Blake Stuerman — a former assistant of Singer's — accused the director of abuse while they were in a relationship together.

    Singer holds a microphone with both hands while speaking into it
    Yuriko Nakao / Getty Images

    In the essay, Stuerman claims that he entered into a sexual relationship with Singer at the age of 18, shortly after meeting the director in 2009. They were allegedly together until Singer fired him in 2013, while making X-Men: Days of Future Past.

    Singer stands in front of lettering at a step-and-repeat
    Jeff Spicer / Getty Images

    In addition to detailing their relationship as "traumatizing," Stuerman describes an instance in which Singer allegedly physically attacked a man at a party in 2012.

    Singer smiles for the camera at an event
    John Sciulli / WireImage for Bragman Nyman Cafarelli

    "I heard loud yelling coming toward me," Stuerman recalled. "When I turned, I saw Bryan charging toward us screaming very angrily. He violently attacked one of the guests near me. I grabbed Bryan and took him back into the house. His eyes were wild and full of rage. I had never seen him like this before."

    At that party, Stuerman claims that Singer said to him, "I'll fucking kill you if you leave me." "From then on, I lived in fear of Bryan following through on his threats," he recalls.

    Singer speaks into a microphone
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    Eventually, Stuerman began experiencing panic attacks as a result of his relationship with Singer.

    Singer smiles for the camera at an event
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    "One panic attack was so severe that I collapsed from hyperventilation and was taken by ambulance to the emergency room," he claims. "I would be so exhausted from not getting more than three or four hours of sleep a night that I once fell asleep sitting upright, mid-bite, with a fork in my mouth at a dinner."

    In 2013, Singer — who has since been accused of sexual assault and rape by multiple victims — allegedly had Stuerman fired from production of Days of Future Past, drawing up a separation agreement and leaving his name out of the film's credits.

    Jean Baptiste Lacroix / WireImage

    "All my self-worth was tied to what I did and who I knew," Stuerman says. "Now I was nothing."

    Stuerman concludes the essay by recounting his experience with PTSD and severe depression following his relationship with Singer, before stating: "I am a victim of abuse by a very powerful, very wealthy and very sick man. I am a victim of Bryan Singer."

    Singer smiles into the camera
    Elisabetta A. Villa / WireImage

    As for Singer's response to Stuerman's claims, Variety writes: "Singer’s lawyer, Andrew Brettler, responded in a four-page letter in which he called Stuerman’s allegations 'uncorroborated, inflammatory, and highly defamatory' and that Stuerman 'simply has an axe to grind' against Singer."

    If you or someone you know is in immediate danger as a result of domestic violence, call 911. For anonymous, confidential help, you can call the 24/7 National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233 (SAFE) or chat with an advocate via the website.

    If you or someone you know has experienced sexual assault, you can call the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-656-HOPE, which routes the caller to their nearest sexual assault service provider. You can also search for your local center here.