Just when we thought the Topher DiMaggio story had played out, underwear brand Andrew Christian has just released a new video on YouTube starring, you guessed it, Topher DiMaggio.
If you need a refresher course:
Adult star Tegan Zayne penned a long Twitter post that accused DiMaggio, who also works as an adult performer, of rape.
He claimed DiMaggio strongly pressured him into having sex the night before they filmed the scene.
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Days later, two more men came forward to accuse DiMaggio of rape.
The following week, YouTuber Bryan Hawn and another man who does not wish to be identified shared stories of sexual assault and harassment at the hands of DiMaggio, one of which took place at an official Andrew Christian event in Seattle, WA.
Andrew Christian placed DiMaggio on “indefinite suspension” while they investigate the many claims against him, doing their best to scrub him off their website in the meantime.
He’s still featured on the site, just with no head and his stomach tattoo photoshopped off:
So what to make of this branded episode of Model Behavior titled “Model Meltdown with Michael Silas” that prominently features DiMaggio? Has AC investigated all claims against the model and found them to be entirely false?
It’s also possible the segment was filmed and edited before the controversy struck, but still, why release it now?
The show touts itself as “showing behind-the-scenes drama of a real life underwear company”, but it definitely leaves out the whole “what to do when people keep coming forward with horror stories about one of our models?” dilemma.
Maybe they’ll tackle that in the next episode?
Watch below:
UPDATE:
We reached out to Andrew Christian to ask how and why the episode was released this week.
In an emailed statement to Queerty, a representative for the brand said:
“This episode of Model Behavior was filmed last year, May 2017, long before any allegations of inappropriate behavior were made against Topher. We aired the episode because it was shot last year and Topher is an important part of the storyline in this episode and our fans like to see the real behind-the-scenes workings of an Andrew Christian photoshoot.
We are currently still investigating the alleged claims against Topher but to date, we are not aware of any criminal or legal claims of any kind that have been filed against him by any of his alleged accusers.”
Polaro
Wait, we’re we going to castrate Topher? Or were we going to tar and feather him? So hard to remember with all these lynchings lately.
happiness17
It was good not coming to this site and seeing Topher DiMaggio’s picture.
I’ve seen his interviews and use to watch his porn. This guy is nothing but a wanna be porn actor. DiMaggio is a little boy in an adult body. He needs to get over himself. There’s really nothing special about him at all.
Polaro
so many things wrong with what you typed. Wanna be? No, is. Nothing special? Really? You don’t like him, I get it, but get real.
DCguy
Interesting that the guy has been credibly accused of rape by multiple people and yet you are painting him as the victim.
I notice that you also left out what he’d been accused of, and that it was multiple people doing the accusing. Funny how you wanted to avoid that.
Greg
Being supposedly pressured into having sex isn’t rape. Give me a break.
heath0043
Topher has always been a sleazy little bitch and AC shouldn’t even be using him.
happiness17
heath0043- I agree with you. Is Topher DiMaggio even his real name? Or is it a name that was given to him by his manager or the studio. Unfortunately the days of Dean Phoenix and other good porn actors are long gone. DiMaggio is a joke.
DarkZephyr
@happiness17, well Dean Phoenix has been releasing some hot content at NextDoorStudios lately. Watched one of the hottest videos I have seen in a long time just the other night that was released last July and he had a few others put up after that just a few months ago. He makes a super hot authority figure.
Greg
Oh, okay. Because you say so.
tham
I have to agree with AC on this…when it’s only social media posting. If there was a crime, go to the police.
Polaro
Wait. I agree with tham. I must be coming down with something. 🙂
troyfight
^actually agree with tham as well (sometimes i don’t)….& yeah, Topher is slime…looks hot though…but slime…(didn’t watch the above video…uggh)
barkomatic
Many commenters who seem to know him claim that he probably committed these assaults, but I’m not comfortable advocating for punishment for a person based on accusations alone. We have a legal system and I know it’s not perfect, but if someone gets assaulted it’s best to report it immediately so that evidence can still be collected.
The movement to raise awareness of sexual assaults has reached a point where unfortunately there are opportunists who will greatly exaggerate an event or make it up entirely to get media attention, which these days can translate into a lot of money.
If this guy is as out of control as he is believed to be, then it’s just a matter of time before he assaults someone again. I hope that victim decides to take action immediately–even though it may be a difficult thing to do.
Polaro
People can say anything. People lie. People exaggerate. People now can ruin another person just because that person made them upset, fragile little snowflakes. This is wrong.
Paco
And we all know just how scary vindictive sassy queens can be, which they ALL seemed to be of the sassy variety. Even that “professional bottom” with a beard that wasn’t professional enough to clench it tight and get away from Topher. Or does “professional bottom” mean you can’t say no and mean it when you aren’t in the mood?
Godabed
Sound logic but no. The legal system doesn’t work. Especially for sex workers, lgbtq ppl, or minorities. And especially not victims. Last i check bill cosby still isn’t getting jail time, harvey weinstein with kevin spacey went to rehab.. even though the stories are all consistent with their behavior.
You are right though that with any movement there will be opportunistic ppl. However in this case topher is not a major celebrity and these ppl gain nothing from telling their stories about him. From the witnesses accounts the pattern is clearly there, and if you choose to ignore it for whatever reason. That’s clearly on you.
AC is a sh!tty company run but clearly ppl who don’t care and all about the money. They enable this person’s ego and behavior. I for one believe the stories about him especially that who went to his boyfriend after being rape with the photo.
Godabed
That one story where the guy went to his bf*
TalkAboutGaySex
Why can’t Andrew Christian hold off on releasing the new series until the investigation is complete or they feel they have answers? They can also reshoot Topher’s part with another model. They should take note from shows like HOUSE OF CARDS. By moving ahead with the web series it can give the message that the company really doesn’t take the charges seriously, but they care more about their brand. I think AC can afford to hold off or reshoot.
LABrad
I just watched that thing. It’s so bad, having an accused rapist in it is the only thing it has going for it! Otherwise, no one would watch it at all.
In fact, since it has no plot and no point, they should make an episode just about that. Have all his accusers confront him face to face. I would watch that.
Nowuvedoneit
I don’t even wear Andrew Christian underwear and to be honest Topher’s porn doesn’t do it for me. If you are that upset with him then don’t buy the underwear or watch his porn movies.
nbrowntr
I have a very close friend who has been raped, it makes me sick to my stomach that Topher is still being used (body shots, whatever…) in the AC adverts. Even if this was filmed before the rape accusations came to light, to put these out now, it’s distasteful! and upsetting for the people who have been brave enough to come forward.
For the commenters saying he’s not been found guilty…, clearly your not aware how hard it is to get a conviction for rape, and the trauma men/women have to go through to get some sort of justice through the courts, I’ve seen this first-hand. These guys that commit these disgusting acts/crimes need serious help.
AC are irresponsible, especially when it’s main client base is gay men and this a huge issue in our community.
ChrisK
Topher does seem like a real douchebag. However, the only one we can say happened was quasi rape anyways IMO. You don’t just say..well ok. Just don’t cum in me. The rest are anonymous internet gossip.
CanadianGuy62
A couple of weeks ago, I e-mailed Queerty, as well as Towleroad and Instinct to give them a heads up that AC was still featuring Topher (without a face pic and with his tattoo airbrushed, as described in this post) in their on-line ads and on their website and expected a story to break on one of the sites. After all, AC was saying one thing and doing another.
Alas, nothing was written about that until this other story arose.
The excuse of the video being shot about a year ago may (or may not) pass muster, but what is their excuse for continuing to use his static images?
It seems that AC is being disingenuous at best, or, at worst, lying (by saying they’ve scrubbed him – when it seems that they’ve only scrubbed his tattoo – from their site).
Polaro
Wow, you’re a stalker. I suggest getting a hobby.
DCguy
I think Queerty did do a story on the fact his body without a head was still appearing in the AC ads.
Greg
and did you feel like you did your civic duty by tattling?
huealex
Mais importante ainda, esses números de usuários também colocariam o Gmail na frente do hotmail.com entrar, executado pela Microsoft, tornando o Gmail o serviço de email mais usado no mundo. Em julho de 2011, a Microsoft disse que o hotmail.com entrar tinha 360 milhões de usuários. A empresa ainda não oferece uma atualização desde então.
Rakkaus
That “Model Behavior” video doesn’t make me want to go buy AC so I can be like those fools including an alleged rapist. No idea what the “storyline” was other than loud vulgar vapid AC models cursing each other out. None are geniuses, but Topher seems genuinely slow in the head, totally vapid, nothing going on up there, his speech is slurred, possesses no self-awareness, lives in a shallow immature bubble that will pop with age, doesn’t seem to have adult understanding of the world & his own actions despite being an ‘adult film star’.
I recall Topher’s responses, when Tegan accused Topher of rape, Topher in person that day verbally laughed it off “that kid’s crazy” then a day or so later Topher or one of his reps plagiarized Russel Simmons’s response to rape charges as his ‘official’ response, then as new accusations came out Topher was strangely silent, doesn’t seem to comprehend the gravity of what he stands accused of, Topher seems like an alien from outer space with a communications barrier you can’t break through.
MacAdvisor
So far, to the best of my knowledge, no one has really accused Mr. DiMaggio of anything. They’ve flapped their gums in the press, but no one has gone to the police and filed a report about him. There aren’t any police investigations in to Mr. DiMaggio’s actions. He hasn’t been arrested, let alone, convicted of any crime. The only thing against him is a few people making utterly unsupported statements without any actions or evidence to support their claims.
I applaud AC for sticking by him. I am sorry, but I simply will not pay any heed to derogatory remarks made against someone when the accuser hasn’t done anything to support their claim. I learned in second grade when Simon claimed Tim ate other people’s snot that some people just say bad things about others to make themselves look or feel better.
Until I hear some real evidence, I am going to enjoy the view Mr. DiMaggio’s splendid body as much as he is willing to show it off. Those of you who do not find him your piece of cake, just give that cake to me.
Paco
Exactly. I don’t consider it “brave” to make unsubstantiated allegations. What would be brave is to go to the police with the claims and make sure the accused is thoroughly investigated and even stopped from harming others if they are truly guilty. The first accuser is in the same line of “work” Topher is in and another accuser admitted in the comments here on Queerty that he was not sexually assaulted by Topher even though the article headline said he was. The other guys are conveniently anonymous.
Some evidence would be nice. Five accusations and not a single shred of evidence or official investigation?
Greg
They act like girls and get on their high horse. They determine who is guilty and you better not talk to that person any more.
Josh447
They could all file police reports of sexual harassment at the very minimum. That would give the allegations more weight.
seaguy
Andrew Christian underwear for those who rape should be their new slogan.
Mark Lopez
Who is Michael silas? Is he a gay pornstar or a andrew christian underwear model?
Greg
Topher DiMaggio is the First of His Name, The Unburnt, Prince of the Andals, the Rhoynar and the First Men, Prince of Meereen, Khaleesi of the Great Grass Sea, Protector of the Realm, Sir Regnant of the Seven Kingdoms, Breaker of Chains and Brother of Dragons.
BCbreeze
Innocent till proven guilty, does everyone still remember that? Considering no charges have ever been made against him. And what the hell is… “credibly accused of rape by multiple people”? If it didn’t happen in the court of law, it’s not credibly!!!
thewords2thewise
All I’m hearing, is how the alleged victims should hog to the police, with zero discussion of statutes of limitations on reporting rape/sexual assault in their jurisdictions. What I’m NOT hearing – including from Andrew Christian et al, is why Topher DiMaggio HASN’T SUED any of the accusers yet, if the allegations are false. He certainly is within the statute of limitations to do so from the time of the accusations being made public, he can certainly show financial loss. In fact, I’m sure Andrew Christian could show some financial loss as a result of the accusations being made public, so, why isn’t Andrew Christian suing Topher DiMaggio’s accusers for THEIR financial loss? ?
thewords2thewise
Should go* to the police