Weinstein Accused of Sexual Assault on Ex-Model at Ages 16 and 19: "My Soul Was Stolen From Me"
A Former Model Breaks Silence at Weinstein's Retrial
NYC (AP) - In an emotional testimony on Thursday, Kaja (KEYE'-ah) Sokola, a 39-year-old psychotherapist and former model, bravely shared her harrowing experiences of sexual assault at the hands of Harvey Weinstein. The trial, a replay of his 2020 trial, marks Sokola's first public account of the alleged incidents.
Sokola stood as the second of three accusers to testify and the only one who didn't feature in Weinstein's initial trial. Facing a jury, she recounted two distinct incidents, the second of which led to a criminal sex act charge against Weinstein. Sokola testified that Weinstein, now 73, allegedly forced oral sex on her in a Manhattan hotel in 2006, mere days before her 20th birthday.
Weinstein, who has pleaded not guilty, denied any sexual assaults. His attorneys are scheduled to start cross-examining Sokola on Friday, asserting that all of Weinstein's accusers consented to sexual encounters in the hope of advancing their careers.
A Tumultuous Introduction
The Polish-born Sokola ventured into modeling at 14 and swiftly found herself jet-setting around the globe for photo shoots and fashion shows. Aspiring to be an actress, she jumped at the opportunity when she met Weinstein at a New York nightclub in 2002. Believing him to be a powerful figure who could help launch her acting career, she agreed to a lunch with him to discuss her prospects.
However, Weinstein steered Sokola towards his Manhattan apartment, instructing her to disrobe, arguing actors had to be comfortable with disrobing for films. Sokola removed her blouse and followed him into a bathroom, feeling overwhelmed and vulnerable as a 16-year-old alone with a man for the first time. There, she testified, Weinstein put his hand inside her underwear and made her touch his genitals, despite her objections.
A chilling tone pervaded the bathroom as Sokola found Weinstein's "black and scary" eyes fixated on her reflection in the mirror. Afterward, Weinstein warned her to keep quiet, boasting about his influence in Hollywood and his potential to help her dreams come true. Sokola recounted feeling stupid, ashamed, and believing she was to blame for the attack.
A Second Encounter
In 2006, Weinstein orchestrated Sokola's appearance as an extra in the film "The Nanny Diaries." Separately, he also agreed to meet Sokola and her visiting elder sister for a chat. After the rendezvous, Sokola testified that Weinstein insistently told her he had a script to show her in his hotel room, and she reluctantly went up with him.
Once inside, Sokola's worst fears were realized as Weinstein allegedly pushed her onto a bed and drove off her clothing, leaving her feeling stripped bare in every sense of the word. She described the act as an experience where her "soul was removed" from her. Sokola claimed Weinstein held her down as she pleaded with him to stop and tried in vain to push him away due to his physical superiority.
Unlike the previous encounter, Sokola said nothing to her sister about the alleged assault. She felt reluctant to discuss the disrespectful manner in which Weinstein had treated her. It took several days into Weinstein's initial trial for Sokola to come forward and report the assault to authorities. Prosecutors reinstated their investigation after Weinstein's conviction was overturned as another accuser, Miriam Haley testified against him last week.
Reliving the Past
As Sokola's testimony unfolded, a riveted jury scribbled notes intently. Weinstein, appearing downcast, pressed his thumb and index finger against his face like a shield while she spoke. Later, Sokola, now a seasoned psychotherapist, recounted her emotional journey, expressing that she had "absolutely not" ever had romantic or sexual aspirations for the former movie studio tycoon.
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- Kaja Sokola, a psychotherapist and former model from Seattle, shared her horrifying experiences of being assaulted by Harvey Weinstein at his retrial in 2025.
- Sokola's testimony detailed two distinct incidents, one of which took place in a Manhattan theater in 2002, where Weinstein pressured her into disrobing and made inappropriate advances.
- Weinstein's lawyers have asserted that Sokola, along with other accusers, consented to sexual encounters with the intention of advancing their careers in the general-news dominated by the politics of Hollywood.
- Years later, Sokola found the courage to speak out about the second incident, which occurred in a hotel room in 2006, as Weinstein faced a jury in the health-and-wellness section of the Seattle theater, where she testified about the attack on her sexual-health.
- The retrial is significant as Sokola was not part of the initial trial, but her testimony, along with others, will play a crucial role in determining Weinstein's guilt or innocence, especially in light of new evidence presented in the crime-and-justice arena.
- The entire ordeal has brought to light the importance of sexual-health education, mental health support, and the need for a more protected and safe environment for young aspiring artists in the science field of theater and beyond.
