Actress Jessica Szohr has spoken up about the rape allegations against her "Gossip Girl" co-star and ex-boyfriend Ed Westwick who has categorically denied the claims raised against him. Westwick has vowed to work with authorities in order to clear his name as soon as possible.
In a recent interview with Cosmopolitan, Szohr, 32, addressed the highly-controversial issue and allegations against her ex-boyfriend.
"I have known Ed for years and know how lovely he is, and don't think he would ever put someone in a position like that," Szohr said, "It's difficult, because you don't want someone you know to go through that or do that to someone, or knowing them well, knowing that you don't think they would, and you don't want, for the girls that are coming forward, it's like, are they stretching the truth? It's just, it's a touchy, tough thing that you pray it's not true and that with, outside of even him, all these different topics coming up, I'm glad that there's notice being put on it for women that are going through it."
Szhor also revealed that she has talked to Westwick since the publicity of the allegations, and noted that the 30-year-old actor is going through a difficult time saying "He's being accused of something that he's publicly saying he didn't do. So it's, you know, tough on him." Szohr and Westwick dated from 2008 to 2010.
Szohr also emphasized that speaking from her experience, she does not think Westwick would be able to do what is accused against him. She noted, however, that she was not there when the alleged rape occurred, so she is not in the position to speak for his ex-boyfriend.
In the midst of the allegations, Westwick's BBC show "Ordeal by Innocence" has not been airing. The filming for the second season of "White Gold" in which Westwick stars as Vincent Swan has also been put on hold.
