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Kevin Clash, the puppeteer/voice behind the popular Sesame Street character Elmo has been facing harsh criticisms over the past few days after some scandalous reports surfaced recently.
[READ: Tickle Me Elmo Leaves Sesame Street After Allegations of Inappropriate Relationship With Teen]
Clash is now officially off the hook after accusations of him having a sexual relationship with a teenage boy have been dropped.
Details below:According AlwaysAList.com, Clash’s accuser has officially recanted his initial claims, which he made to “Sesame Street’s” parent company Sesame Workshop this past summer.
“[The accuser] wants it to be known that his sexual relationship with Mr. Clash was an adult consensual relationship. [The accuser] will have no further comment,” his lawyer, who also represented one of the victims in the Jerry Sandusky case, said in a statement today.
Details as to why the accuser recanted his story were not released, but the 54 year old puppeteer, who has voiced Elmo since 1985, released a statement as well.
“I am relieved that this painful allegation has been put to rest. I will not discuss it further,” he said.
As previously reported, the accuser (now 24) claimed he had a sexual relationship with Clash that started when the puppeteer was 45 and the accuser was 16.
While it’s great news that the accusations have been recanted, the big question is….
Will Clash’s be able to recover his lengthy career with Sesame Street?
Thoughts?
I think it’s over for him and he’ll be fired.
50/50
Depends on the media! The media was quick to put out the story ( I read reports that said the boy was 18 which to me means no crime took place, and they both were consenting adults),and if 18 is the true age. when this took place. Then I understand why the man recanted. "He didn’t have a case". once the facts were put on the table
He can rebuild because "No crime" was commited and he should put out a statement to the effect of Being accused of a horendous crime of has hurt his faimly, himself, and the children who tune, my reputation was almost ruined etc I humbly privacy at this time etc I ‘m sure his PR person can work it out
He should not loose his job because "no crime" was committed etc. etc. etc
No interviews..then after a while the story will die down.
Now! People will refocus on the "Scandal" of Petraeus’s , His Mistress Broadwell (who is also married) sent emails to the woman she thought he was creeping with, another general is involved, and then find out she took secreat info from his house. This ..This is "messy" and will make a great made for tv movie. Wouldn’t surprise me if one was already in the works
All I’m saying…there’s a joke at the end of this equation
Puppeteer x Elmo / Consenting Adult = his hands up somebody’s ass
All it takes is an accusation to ruin a person. Anything that happens after that doesn’t matter.
I completely agree …its a wrap , once the word is out true or not it doesnt matter after that cause everyone still is going to be wondering now …I mean come on its ElMO…if it was any other entertainment he may have been able to but since its Elmo he is f@###d
I still think there is a problem here. Even though there was not a sexual relationship until this guy was of age,I’m willing to bet Kevin was grooming and talking to this boy prior to that> Kevin Clash was wrong on so many levels. He should be fired. Its easy for a person who is 45 to manipulate the mind of a sixteen year old. Kevin needs help if doesnt feel wrong in this situation.
I agree, Michael. I also think he was grooming this young guy. Yeah, they might not have actually had sex until he was 18 (or maybe they did and there was some money paid to make the guy change his story and go away), but it still doesn’t pass the smell test that a gay guy Keven Clash’s age had a relationship with a gay guy the accuser’s age. Also, there needs to be a discussion as to why a gay youth would be involved in a guy who is old enough to be his dad. I’m sorry, but I don’t consider the young guy a victim. He was 16, not six. Anything that a gay guy in his 40s does with a 16-year-old boy has been agreed on between both parties. Are most 16 year olds stupid and can easily be manupilated by older folks? Absolutely. However, just as we teach young girls that certain types of men are only out for one thing, we need to teach young gay boys the same thing. However, I think this young guy knew exactly what he was doing and had dollar signs in his head. I’m proud to say that I’m gay, but I grew up with both parents in the home. I grew up with a father. I didn’t look to old dudes for money, companionship, sex, etc. When I was 16, a guy who was older than 18 was ancient to me. Because of this Clash announced that he’s gay. Had it not happened I don’t think he would have announced his sexual orientation. And I don’t think one has to tell the world their sexual orientation. Clash used to be married and has at least one child–a daughter. Could this be the reason why he and his ex-wife divorced? It’s possible. Anything is possible.
Michael: Probably not true about Kevin, Elmo puppeteer, grooming Sheldon before sex occurred. Closeted gay men have few options and short-term, hidden sex is one of them.Sheldon was 18,Kevin was 48 at the time. Advantage goes to younger man if he is a jerk like Sheldon, cause Kevin had much to lose from being outed.Sheldon already had criminal history, robbing music manager at gunpoint of $250,000 necklace, ring but charges dropped. Humm, bet music manager had a tryst with Sheldon but didn’t want to be outted either.
Just a shame that no one fact checks nowadays before running with a story
Amazing that they never published the accusers name nor face. Shame on him for ruining that man’s reputation. I hope Mr Clashes long standing and pioneering career is not affected.
If his career don’t recover I will boycott Elmo too!
I agree. That dude should b ashamed for stating something like that if it wasn’t true.
Dana T.
THE SMOKING GUN HAS RELEASED A "MUGSHOT" OF THE ACCUSER !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Whatever one thing for sure Clash has put down a six figure mouth shot on the accuser.either way his reputation has taints,and when did he find out he was gay since he was married to a woman and had one child with her……yes yes he is divorce but still smh at his mess.
I think his career will be just fine. Little kids 123456 year olds never meet Kevin, sit on his lap or read or hear about the news. All they want to know is whether they"re getting the new Elmo for xmas. Elmo didn’t screw anyone. In priest’s cases they have access to kids. Same with MJ except in MJ’s case kids STILL love him. Kevin will be just fine. Dude said and signed extortion papers, extracted his PBS loot and poof be gone! Also, I believe Kevin. And since it worked this time, he should ask for ID because next time will be a wrap. Dudes will stalk him big time now. He’s their new MJ, and I don’t think he took advantage of anyone. Bet dude was white.
Hell, the Fairy Godmother ran over and KILLED Pluto years ago in Disney parade. I’m waiting for somebody to do something about that! I go to Disney every few years and when I see that bitch comin’ down Main Street I just wanna climb up there and shove some of those roses down her throat! Whew! Sorry yall…havin’ flashbacks.