Felt upset, humiliated and embarrassed: Aziz Ansari addresses sexual assault claims

While Ansari previously issued an official statement, he addressed the accusations candidly in a stand-up set recently

It has been over a year since a sexual assault allegation against the Master of None star Aziz Ansari surfaced online.

While Ansari previously issued an official statement on the matter, he addressed the accusation more candidly this time around. According to Vulture, who had a reporter in attendance at the New York show, the comedian made it clear that the allegation was nothing to create a mockery out of.

He made two statements:

Firstly, he wanted time to process and evaluate what he wanted to say. Secondly, “it’s a terrifying thing to talk about.”

PHOTO: THE INDIAN EXPRESS

He continued, “There were times I felt really upset and humiliated and embarrassed, and ultimately I just felt terrible this person felt this way,” in a shivering voice.

“But you know, after a year, how I feel about it is. I hope it was a step forward. It made me think about a lot, and I hope I’ve become a better person.” Ansari recalled a conversation in which a friend made him rethink every date he’s been on.

“If that has made not just me but other guys think about this, and just be more thoughtful and aware and willing to go that extra mile, and make sure someone else is comfortable in that moment, that’s a good thing," he continued.

PHOTO: REUTERS

“And I think it also just gave me perspective on my life,” Ansari added,  stating how grateful he is for being able to perform comedy for a living.

“There was a moment where I was scared that I’d never be able to do this again." Ansari commented that he used to thank his audience at the end of every show but in reality, he never really meant it.

“But now, I really mean it. I mean it on a different level,” he said. "You did all this s**t just to hear me talk for an hour and some change, and it means the world to me, so thank you so much.”

PHOTO: REUTERS

As far as has been reported, this was Ansari’s first real attempt to address the allegation since his statement after the story initially came out.

As with all the material he’s tested, it’s unclear if this statement will continue to appear in his act as he goes out on tour or if it will evolve. After a couple of callbacks, Ansari said goodnight, and told the audience he’ll be back for a proper show in the spring.

In January 2018, a 23-year-old photographer, who shared her account anonymously, said in a story published on the website Babe that she was "pressured" into having oral sex with Ansari.

The woman, who described first meeting Ansari at an Emmy Awards event, told Babe she used verbal and non-verbal cues to communicate that she was "distressed."

PHOTO: REUTERS

"I cried the whole ride home. At that point I felt violated," she said, telling Babe she felt her experience with Ansari amounted to sexual assault.

Ansari responded to the allegation at the time, admitting that he and the women engaged in sexual activity but it was "by all indications" "completely consensual."

"The next day, I got a text from her saying that although 'it may have seemed okay,' upon further reflection, she felt uncomfortable. It was true that everything did seem okay to me, so when I heard that it was not the case for her, I was surprised and concerned," Ansari's statement said. "I took her words to heart and responded privately after taking the time to process what she had said."

The woman's account led to a broader social discussion and debate about the relationship between sex and power.

Have something to add to the story? Share it in the comments below.