Photo: FilmMagic
Nev Schulmanis opening up about what it was like to faceallegations of sexual misconducton his hit showCatfish.
While appearing onJosh Peck‘sCadence13 podcast,Curious, Schulman said the allegations and investigation took a negative toll on his health.
“I was so stressed and I was so out of control and desperately trying to get it into my control that I actually got shingles,” he said. “Most people get it around their chest or ribs. I got it on my head.”
While he said getting shingles (a viral infection that causes a painful rash) was certainly not ideal, it taught him the importance of remaining calm under pressure.
“It’s been a really meaningful, eye-opening, emotional and physical experience,” he said.
In May, Schulmandenied the woman’s claims of sexual misconduct.
“The behavior described in this video did not happen and I’m fortunate that there are a number of former colleagues who were present during this time period who are willing to speak up with the truth,” Schulman said in a statement to PEOPLE. “I have always been transparent about my life and would always take responsibility for my actions — but these claims are false.”
“Immediately I was like, ‘Uh-oh, this could be a problem,’ ” he recalled. “This girl is saying some really nasty stuff and it’s probably going to come out and we are going to have to deal with it.”
During the length of the investigation, Schulman was suspended from the show and production was put on hold.
“In the moment I was very frustrated and I was confused,” he said. “[I thought] ‘Why aren’t they communicating with me? Why are they suspending the show when there’s never been a complaint like this before?’ ”
After the investigation was complete and Schulman was cleared, he understood why things were handled the way they were.
“I was waiting, counting the seconds for them to say ‘Hey it’s all good, Nev’s not a creep,’ ” he said. “I wanted them to do it sooner, but what I wasn’t thinking was the bigger picture and moving forward with the show.”
He added: “Now, looking back, they did a great job.”
“On every break from filming, every time they said cut, they’re like, ‘Oh, well when can I take you on a date?’ Mind you, this was 20 minutes in from us meeting for the first time,” she said in the video. “I was in such an uncomfortable place and a freaking hard time in my life as well. I’m at my most vulnerable.”
Morgan could not be reached for further comment.
source: people.com
