A Male Director Once Patted Debbie Allen On The Butt On Set

It’s hard to imagine anyone disrespecting the famed Debbie Allen, but as the actress, director, dancer, producer, and choreographer recently told us, “This has been the good ol’ boy business forever.”

Allen found that out early on when she worked on the set of Fame in the ’80s. The show is actually how the 66 year old got her start directing and, unfortunately, her introduction to sexual harassment in the workplace. Because the directors on set didn’t know how to shoot dance, Allen said, “I would write out notes to help directors.” But not everyone was appreciative of her work. “I remember this director one day he actually patted me on my butt and said ‘Don’t you worry your little self about what the shots are.'”

So not only was Allen sexually harassed she was also patronized and demeaned because she’s a woman. Rest assured that was the last day said director pulled that move, as Allen told us, “Honey, by the time I got through sassing him, I was saying ‘action’ and ‘cut’ that day.”

Check out the full clip of Allen talking about her ordeal in the video below. Have you had a similar experience in the workplace?