Forum - View topicINTEREST: 'Far From Perfect': Fans Recount Unwanted Affection from Voice Actor Vic Mignogna
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xchampion
 Posts: 370 Location: Idaho Falls, Idaho |
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I'm pretty confident that I can tell you exactly what is going to happen and its already started. A few conventions will start to rescind invites. He won't be cast in any new anime for a while. He will lay low for a few months. He may or may not address the matter one more time publicly, but I assume he will. Then the few conventions that haven't rescinded invites he will attend. He will institute no hugs like he said on twitter and more specifically no touching. Then starting next year a few conventions will still invite and many will not. He will start to be cast in anime again because he still has many fans and the dubbing companies will realize that. As aside he most likely wont be fired from any current dubbing gigs more specially Diamond is Unbreakable mostly because even though it hasn't aired on Toonami yet he has probably finished dubbing most if not all of his lines. Then eventually it will go back to normal and the people who have been vocal will go on to the next target. I'm not saying its right or you have to agree but that is exactly what is going to happen. If any of you remember Channel Awesome the same thing pretty much happened to them.
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Arking
Posts: 10 |
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The self-centeredness has been a staple of his personality going way back, that's not going to change I dare say and it was the first thing people jumped on when it came to finding him somewhat repellant. So no, there's no real defense for that other than accepting he's the type of person who puts his own worth and value above others, and likely feels he's the savior or star of anything he's involved in. Sadly these people are everywhere and they typically somehow find themselves in positions of authority and power and doting insincere gratitudes to those whom they work alongside. The affectionate stuff could very well be true and I think is defensible as it was sort of weened on early Con culture. That he didn't have the foresight to change the behavior as he matured and the con industry grew is less defensible yes. But again ego plays a big role into understanding why he wouldnt and why he would feel he's done nothing wrong. Given the allegations, again the majority being unwanted affection in the form of hugging and pecks on the cheek in public locations, he probably feels somewhat justified and protected by his lack of documented salacious and sexually predacious behavior save for that of J. Proudmore. |
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Arking
Posts: 10 |
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Yes people can be cruel and ethnocentric or just downright malicious because they dont understand that behavior isn't coming from a place of ill intent but rather harmless and familiar cultural norms. To your point about Vic I will sadly have to defer to Todd Haberkorn's screenshots. I've largely been avoiding delving into it but it does lend some understanding as to what weight outside opinions had on Vic when he was accused or informed of his behavior by peers, and friends. In that chat log J. Proudmore boasts proudly about how she mocked Vic openly regarding issues such as his taste in women, sexuality, and though less so his con behavior to someone she recognizes is a friend of his. It's sad to say that Todd neither defends Vic nor supports Proudmore rather taking a silent observer approach as she shared her story. This is a good illustration of how familiar Vic likely was with the allegations, as they would likely come up as light humor from people he was familiar with, Proudmore in this case. Other guests at cons had been also sharing somewhat teasing jabs about Vic openly as well and while it all comes across as red flags now, to anyone at the time the humor just seems innocent roasting rather than coming from a place of genuine concern. To that end you could justify Vic as having been deluded by his own ego and the lack of sincerity by his peers and employers in the industry. Sure he's combated with Yaoi fans, and some staff who don't like him but those are easily dismissed as disgruntled individuals whom bare a grudge. Until now he's not been seriously taken to bat, and sadly everyone is now crying foul. I can't imagine the sort of mental place he's in, but with chat logs being exposed of his friends saying this was a long time coming, and colleagues as well he's probably going to do a lot of soul searching. |
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Cutiebunny
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This is exactly the reason why most conventions, despite there being numerous allegations of Vic’s inappropriate behavior for well over a decade by multiple parties, that he continues to be invited. And these are the same conventions whose “Cosplay is Not Consent” campaigns I openly mock when they invite Vic time and time again (looking at you, SakuraCon and Anime Expo). You can’t tell me that a convention seriously cares about the welfare of their attendees when they continue to invite Vic on an almost yearly basis. The “he brings in revenue” such a cop out by a convention. It is 2019. There are plenty of ways to make up the revenue that Vic’s absence could create. Invite other guests that can bring in sizable (or wealthier) patrons. Ask the more well heeled attendees what they would like in exchange for a price. Run a crowdfunding campaign. All of these are things a convention could do if they were willing to put in the effort to do so. But, they’re not because it’s easier to invite Vic and then, if something bad happens, push it under the rug and claim the convention didn’t know about his tendencies. By reasoning to yourself that this behavior and that of some of the sermons he’s given at conventions like AWA is because he’s a diva, a convention is acting as a knowing accomplice of this behavior. They are showing that they approve of Vic’s behavior because it brings in money, and after all, that’s what truly matters to the business. The accusations by attendees, particularly those of vulnerable minors, means little because losing one or two of those kids isn’t going to affect the bottom line. All of this is disgusting. Cons who continue to invite Vic, especially after this, are showing that they don’t mind enabling Vic to prey on others. |
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Chrono1000
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Arking
Posts: 10 |
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Thank you. This was largely my point in that lengthy diatribe. Cons have been actively complicit in putting their attendees in awkward positions with their guests by conceding to inappropriate requests to save money. By doing so they slowly break down the barriers that separate what is appropriate, and in theme with their events, further opening themselves up to problems of this nature. |
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Arking
Posts: 10 |
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My last point on this whole topic and one I've been struggling with as it's the final point made by ANN in their article.
Given the screenshots and Proudmore's self proclaimed familiarity with Vic, her testimony may actually ring somewhat true. That is to say in light of how comfortable she proclaims to have been in that chat with Todd towards Vic she shows that the two of them shared a familiarity that was previously unknown to the general public. The humor and jabs she claims to have used were of a personal nature and as such one would think Vic himself could and would feel comfortable returning in-kind. That is to say Proudmores allegations of the incident very well could have taken place, albeit under a very different context and intent. Proudmores claims are muddied however and as my previous comments here have illustrated one must always believe a victim's emotions and trauma but not immediately truth or seek the accused. There is no doubt in my mind that J. Proudmore is experiencing and processing this in a way that is causing her to feel pain and vulnerability. But you see Proudmores statement is a public one, a public statement done in a public place and thus sculpted and thought out for a public audience. Likewise Todd Haberkorn, and his friend Adam have also provided public statements each portraying their own omissions and versions of themselves during the era this all allegedly took place. As Haberkorn and Adam's responses were not manufactured in a vacuum, independent and unaware of Proudmore's own claims, they hold little to no weight. But even still Proudmores testimony itself is subject to influences of emotional trauma and awareness of public perception. The only evidence of use then is the questionably appropriate screen captures taken from the time that show the intimate and uncensored personalities not meant for public view. Last edited by Arking on Fri Feb 01, 2019 2:33 pm; edited 1 time in total |
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Redbeard 101
Oscar the Grouch
Forums Superstar  Posts: 16941 |
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Most due have such a guideline for those under 18. Whether or not it's enforced is a separate topic.
I don't disagree that this has been the normal response and way things have played out in the past for others with similar allegations. All throughout the entertainment industry. In his case specifically I agree many cons have continued to invite over the years despite all the stories and complaints. That is part of the problem. Those conventions all share part of the responsibility for enabling this to go on as long as it has. It is one of the key things that needs to stop. Whether or not any sort of legal ramifications come of this majority of this conduct could be stopped simply by cons not inviting him. Stop giving everyone bullshit lip service about how you care about your attendees and actually prove it. Especially the cons where these incidents occur. To quote Zombieland, "it's time to nut up, or shut up." |
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Advent_Nebula
Posts: 932 Location: Colorado |
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One of the media partners on the YouTube channel I am a part of was talking to us last night. One of the convention guest handlers he knows told him that this incident is going to change quite a bit on how guest and attendee interaction goes this year. I expect that their is also likely to be some changes on the press side as well. Not likely to the extent it will be between guests and attendees.
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TarsTarkas
 Posts: 5873 Location: Virginia, United States |
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There are plenty of people who are over friendly. Over the years this keeps getting brought up. Honestly, I don't know who or what to believe. Is he criminal, is he not woke, or is he just a gregarious individual.
We keep saying 'think of the children', well, if that is truly the case, then put a stop to kids (0-17) from wandering around unescorted. An anime convention, with tons of people, is not the place to let your kids graze around. A certain percentage of any group or population is going to have evil people. Doesn't matter how many guards or security is in place, there will be simply too many people to watch everyone. The idea that a big convention can be made kid safe is foolish. If you want your kids safe, then require adult supervision. Kids and minors found wandering around should be detained. Whatever the truth is about Vic, it is true that plenty of fans like the close contact with their celebrity. Should they be punished. There should be some sort of middle ground, where people who don't want personal contact and those who do want that contact, both get what they want. It shouldn't be Vic or other celebrities that have to make that determination, but rather the venue. |
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Mad_Scientist
 SubscriberModerator  Posts: 3011 |
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Regarding Vic, the subject of this thread, no one in the article specifically accused Vic of anything criminal, that I know of at least. I don't know the laws of every state, it's possible unwanted kissing/touching like some of the examples in this article might qualify under some statutes, however, I don't think any of the people mentioned in this article are interested in pursuing criminal charges for that. It wasn't mentioned at least. BUT: "sexually inappropriate around fans, including minors" and "guilty of criminal sexual assault" are not the same thing. It's possible to be the first without being the second. I've seen some suggestions in this thread and other places that we should all just let the law sort this out, people should go to the police and let them decide. But we can't, because all the law will decide is if he did something criminal, or more precisely, if they feel there is enough evidence at this late stage to potentially investigate whether he did something criminal, possible years in the past and maybe beyond the statute of limitations, and that they will uncover sufficient evidence to prove beyond all reasonable doubt that he is guilty of these specifically criminal acts, not just gross sexual conduct. It will do absolutely nothing as to determining whether he did anything inappropriate. And did he? Well, in this article there are pictures of him touching and kissing underage fans, some of which we know did not like it, and did not give him permission. That right there is more than enough to tell me that yes, he was sexually inappropriate. So then the question is, how do people in the industry want to deal with that, both regarding Vic specifically, and regarding how to stop stuff like this from happening in the future? For Vic, my personal thought is that before there can be any possibility of forgiveness, there first must be a proper apology, which he has not given. So yes, cons should cancel his appearances, companies should stop casting him and recast his roles, and so forth. If he does properly apologize and make a real commitment to change his behavior, maybe things can be different, but honestly even then I'd be hesitant, especially given the sheer pervasiveness of his bad behavior. As for cons, it's clear there needs to be a reckoning here. The fact that many cons had heard complaints about him for years but kept inviting him back is pretty bad. Cons need to take allegations like this seriously. I also think they need to seriously reconsider how they handle under 18 attendees. Because between Vic and some of the other stuff that's come out lately, it's clear that cons have been enabling some gross behavior. |
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Redbeard 101
Oscar the Grouch
Forums Superstar Posts: 16941 |
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I want to also point out that canceling con appearances does not affect his income for VA work. I Know many have said people just want him fired and feel bad if he were to not get VA work. If no charges are ever brought about but he was at least not invited to cons as a guest then the primary source for this behavior would vanish. Yet he still would have his VA work and job. I am not saying that's the best outcome or what's fair. I am simply making this point to highlight the fact there can be, and already should have been, serious change to stop this behavior, and without it affecting his wallet in any serious manner. The same applies for any other guests with a history of bad behavior. Whether or not companies still want to use him after this is, or if he deserves to be used as a VA or not, are separate topics. |
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SailorNaruto
 Posts: 195 Location: Illinois, USA |
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Wow. This is really hard to read. I wouldn't go so far to call myself a fan of his, but I respect his work because of how skilled he is. This has completely changed my view of him. An innocent little kiss on the cheek here and there is one thing, but how sick and entitled do you have to get to kiss somebody neck, stroke their hair, and literally run your hand up their shirt? Just because they're your fans doesn't give you the right to touch them like that. If these allegations are true he needs to be SEVERELY punished
Also, unless I'm crazy, where was the part about his homophobia? I didn't see any mention or recount of it. If him not liking yaoi or yuri was supposed to be it then that's a huge reach because a lot of people don't like those genres. I'm gay myself but I don't see that as homophobia. Edit: i said if because I believe in the benefit of the doubt. People's lives have been ruined by false sexual assault claims. If he's guilty then that's that he needs to face consequences, but I don't believe in blindly running with stories. Him giving a Minor his personal phone number is really creepy on his part though |
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#892319
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[quote="xchampion"][quote="darksharingan"]
Largely there in lies the problem with the narrative here. Almost every criticism of Vic is about things that happened in public spaces, in front of hundreds of people. This is not Harvey Weinstein, who is accused of sexaully assaulting women, soliciting them for sex in exchange for advancing careers. Which is why this article comes across as a tabloid article. Google news shows not a single news paper has bothered to pick it up. Having worked with Vic and seen how he operates in a green room and autograph line, I'm skeptical how many of the pictures are even 'unsolicited'. Rather they are random pictures of him giving his fan a peck on the cheek, taken from the internet and are largely autograph line. I am not a fan of Vic, or any V.A. and I understand why there is animosity towards vic. I have to say this is incredibly disappointing for the community as a whole. I understand what Vic's reputation it is what it is. Anyone who has worked with Vic know that he mostly gives his fans the moment and makes them feel loved. However, in the green room you see someone that isn't very gracious too unpaid volunteers staff and rarely tries to connect with anyone who isn't his peer. Which also tells you how he really sees his fans. This has bred a lot of resentment from con staff, especially staff at smaller cons and within cosplay community (where star cosplayers often try to also act as guests) and smaller voice actors. The loss is really for the community. Vic is a voice actor that made himself a target by being an ass. However, there are other voice actors that had the same style of trying to give their fan their personal moment and aren't targets. I think many of them will hesitate and become those people that are just signing autographs. |
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NickPenrhyn
 Posts: 35 |
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That's highly misleading, as both Polygon and Kotaku have reported on recent events, even before ANN did. @BethElderkin has also reached out publicly for information. The "tabloid/gossip rag" smear is an obvious way to try and discredit the reporting on real events that has already happened. |
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