Jason Momoa apologizes for ‘tasteless’ rape joke after video resurfaces

Jason Momoa was criticized
after a 2011 video of him making a rape joke went
viral.
Jason Merritt/Getty
Images

The INSIDER Summary:

• Jason Momoa played Khal Drogo on “Game of
  Thrones.”
• In the show, Drogo raped Daenerys Targaryen on their
  wedding night.
• At 2011’s San Diego Comic-Con, Momoa said he
  loves the fantasy genre because you can “rape beautiful women
  and then have them fall in love with you.”
• The clip resurfaced on Twitter and went
  viral.
• Momoa posted an apology on Instagram for his comment
  years ago: “I made a truly tasteless comment. It is
  unacceptable and I sincerely apologize with a heavy heart for
  the words I said.”

Early Thursday morning, an old video of “Game of Thrones” actor Jason Momoa making a joke
about getting to “rape beautiful women” on the show
was shared on Twitter. People who hadn’t seen the 2011 San Diego
Comic-Con panel were freshly horrified by the comments.

On Friday, Momoa shared an apology for the insensitive remark on
his Instagram page:

I awoke in Australia to the justified reactions by many people to
a distasteful joke I made years ago in Hall H for which I am
sorry. I am still severely disappointed in myself at the
insensitivity of my remarks that day. I know my sincerest apology
now won’t take away those hurtful words. Rape and sexual
harassment can reach anyone and I have seen first hand its
painful torment among members of my own family and friends.

I made a truly tasteless comment. It is unacceptable and I
sincerely apologize with a heavy heart for the words I said.

All apologies, Jason.

The quote people took issue with in the video happened
when Momoa was discussing what it was like working with
HBO. He said he enjoyed being a part of “Game of Thrones.”

“As far as sci-fi and fantasy, I love that genre,” Momoa said.
“It’s just that there’s so many things you can do, like rip
someone’s tongue out of their throat and get away with it. And
rape beautiful women and then have them fall in love with you,
you know what I mean?”

A Twitter user named Elizabeth (
@peeanofreek
) posted the clip which garnered
a lot of attention, and was retweeted more than 6,000 times. You
can watch the video below:

If you are a victim of sexual assault, you can visit RAINN or
call its hotline at 1-800-656-4673 to receive confidential
support from a trained staff member.