Sheryl Lee Ralph claims a “famous TV judge” sexually assaulted her at a business event years ago — in front of several network executives.
“I’m at a very public place,” the “Abbott Elementary” star recalled on the “Way Up With Angela Yee” podcast Monday. “I was suited. I had my suit on. I was handling my business for the television show I was on at that time. He and I were on the same network.”
Ralph, 66, said her alleged assailant, whom she did not name, then walked in and “grabbed” her by the back of her neck and “rammed his nasty-ass tongue down [her] throat.”
“And everybody at the network saw it,” she claimed.
The “Moesha” alum shared that she prepared to report the incident and even called former New Orleans Mayor Marc Morial, who quickly came to her defense and was ready to go to the police.
Sheryl Lee Ralph claimed a “famous TV judge” sexually assaulted her.Instagram/Sherly Lee Ralph
The “Abbott Elementary” star said the incident took place in front of several network executives.Getty Images for Critics Choice AssociationHowever, Ralph alleged that people from the network in question, which she did not name either, urged her to remain silent to prevent “bad press.”
“Somebody on the network tapped me on the shoulder saying, ‘Please don’t,'” she said. “They did not want any bad press around their show and did not care what had just happened to me.”
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The Emmy winner claimed executives and onlookers questioned whether the alleged assault was even “that bad” and reminded her that she had a “new show” on television.
“That’s the kind of stuff that happens,” she said. “That’s what makes it hard for women to speak up about these things.”
Ralph alleged that the judge “grabbed” her by the back of her neck and “rammed his nasty-ass tongue down [her] throat.”FilmMagic
The “Moesha” alum shared that she was told not to report the incident in order to prevent “bad press” on her “new show.”Getty ImagesWhile Ralph did not expose the judge’s identity, she did note that it was not Greg Mathis.
“I love him. He’s a great man,” she said of the “Judge Mathis” star. “Not him at all. He’s a great man. This was another one.”
The “Dreamgirls” star said she wanted to share her story in hopes that other women will find the courage to speak out.
“Speak up, tell your truth, do not carry the burden of the pain,” she said, “especially if you feel like it’s something you can’t work through.”
A rep for Ralph did not immediately respond to Page Six’s request for additional comment.
