Phylicia Rashad breaks her silence on Cosby rape claims: 'Forget these women'

Jan 7, 2015

Phylicia Rashad has reportedly broken her silence on the rape allegations against Bill Cosby. The actress spoke to Roger Friedman of Showbiz411 on the red carpet for a screening of the movie Selma at the Metropolitan Club.

When asked about the scandal plaguing her TV husband, she defended Cosby, saying that she “loves him.” She says she’s never seen Cosby behave in the manner described by the more than 15 women who claim that he sexually assaulted them.

“Forget these women,” she said. “What you’re seeing is the destruction of a legacy. And I think it’s orchestrated. I don’t know why or who’s doing it, but it’s the legacy. And it’s a legacy that is so important to the culture.”

When Friedman brought up the names of two of Cosby’s most recognizable accusers, Janice Dickinson and Beverly Johnson, Rashad responded by saying, “Oh please.” However, she had nothing but praise for Cosby’s wife Camille, calling her a “tough and smart woman.”

Rashad alluded to a conspiracy to keep Bill Cosby off the air, pointing to the fact that his deals with NBC and Netflix have been nixed. She believes the legacy of The Cosby Show is also being tarnished.

“This show represented America to the outside world. This was the American family. And now you’re seeing it being destroyed. Why?”

Rashad said she stayed silent for so long because she “didn’t want to come a part of the public debate.” She also doesn’t fault Cosby for remaining mum. “If he spoke now, what do you think the media would do with it?” she asked.