Phylicia Rashad appeared Wednesday on ABC's World News Tonight to clarify her recent comments in defense of longtime co-star and friend Bill Cosby.
Rashad, who shared the screen with Cosby on NBC's The Cosby Show and CBS' Cosby, told ABC's Linsey Davis that the women who have accused the actor of sexual abuse do not appear to have sufficient evidence to back up their claims.
"What has happened is declaration in the media of guilt without proof," the 66-year-old Tony-winning actress said.
She said she never heard anything about abuse claims while she was working with Cosby. "I can't even speak to those things and don't want to," she said of the allegations, pointing out that she has always known Cosby to be a kind man.
Rashad was quoted Tuesday by Showbiz 411 as saying about the accusers, "Forget these women." But she told Davis that this was a misquote.
"What I said is, 'This is not about the women.' ... This is about the obliteration of legacy," Rashad said. She added about the reported quote: "I am a woman — I would never say such a thing."
Rashad told Showbiz 411 that the "destruction of [Cosby's] legacy" is being "orchestrated" by someone other than the accusers. When Davis asked Rashad who might want to ruin Cosby's career, the actress replied: "That's my question, too."
In a Wednesday press conference, attorney Gloria Allred introduced three new Cosby accusers and called out Rashad for her Tuesday remarks. "Phylicia, you should be supporting these women rather than joining Cosby's paid 'attack dogs' who are trying to undermine them in any way they can," Allred told the media.
Cosby has largely remained silent about the numerous decades-old allegations that have resurfaced in recent months. His legal team has denied the claims and questioned the accusers' credibility.
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