Phylicia Rashad: I never said 'forget those women'

Luther Vandross was outed as gay after his death.

Just one day after Phylicia Rashad broke her silence by coming to the defense of Bill Cosby in a red carpet interview with Roger Friedman of Showbiz411, the Tony Award-winning actress sat down with ABC News correspondent Linsey Davis.

The Cosby Show actress continued to mount praise on her former TV husband. “He’s a genius, he is generous, he’s kind, he’s inclusive,” she said in the segment airing on “World News Tonight with David Muir.”

“You were quoted online as saying forget those women,” Davis said to Rashad.


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“And that was a misquote. What I said is that this is not about the women; this is about the obliteration of legacy,” Rashad responded. “I am a woman; I would never say such a thing.”

The Claire Huxtable actress refused to speak to the details of the rape allegations. However, she didn’t back down from her criticism of the media. “What has happened is declaration in the media of guilt, without proof,” she said.

During her interview with Showbiz411, Rashad alluded to a conspiracy against Cosby.

“Who would have a vested interest in attacking the legacy of Bill Cosby?” Davis asked.

“That’s my question too,” Rashad replied.

More of ABC’s exclusive interview with Phylicia Rashad will air tomorrow morning on Good Morning America.

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