Shortly after capturing his third Olympic gold medal in the snowboard halfpipe on Wednesday, Shaun White called sexual harassment allegations against him "gossip" and said they wouldn't harm his reputation.
The allegations stem from 2016, when musician Lena Zawaideh filed a lawsuit against him alleging prolonged sexual harassment while she was a drummer in his band, Bad Things. She later requested the lawsuit be dismissed and there were reports the two had settled out of court.
White, who has been competing in the Winter Olympics in South Korea, was asked about Zawaideh's allegations during a press conference after his first-place performance Wednesday. He responded by calling her claims "gossip" and declined to comment further.
In response to my question whether sexual harassment claims against him would tarnish his legacy, @shaunwhite said… https://t.co/AlYyAKGWnA
"I'm here to talk about the Olympics, not gossip and stuff," he said in response to a question from an ABC News reporter, who then followed up by asking whether he felt the allegations would tarnish his reputation. "I don't think so," White said.
"I am who I am, and I am proud of who I am," he went on to say. "My friends, you know, love me and vouch for me and I think that stands on its own."
Other reporters attempted to ask White about the allegations, but he quickly rushed off stage. The press conference moderator shut down further questions, according to the Associated Press.
Shaun White on if he thinks the sexual harassment allegations against him will tarnish his legacy: "You know, hones… https://t.co/qVEeumRldX
In a statement released through her lawyer late Wednesday, Zawaideh said until White’s comments, she had believed the incident was “in the past,” and “was happy to put the situation behind her."
His response “minimized the problem of sexual harassment in this country,” her statement continued, adding that White’s remarks “on the world stage," served to "directly impugn" her character.
“No woman wants to be called a 'gossip' or a liar by the harasser," she said. "Hopefully, before our country declares someone the ‘best of the US,’ there will be investigation and due diligence."
Full statement:
Later, White spoke to the Today show and apologized for his "poor choice of words to describe such a sensitive subject."
"I was so overwhelmed with just wanting to talk about how amazing today was and share my experience," he said.
"I've grown as a person over the years," White continued. "It's amazing how life works and twists and turns and lessons learned. Every experience in my life I feel like it's taught me a lesson. I definitely feel like I am a much more changed person than I was when I was younger. I am proud of who I am today."
Shaun White apologizes for using the word "gossip" in reference to sexual misconduct allegations
In the lawsuit filed by Zawaideh in 2016, she alleges sexual harassment, wrongful termination, and breach of contract against White.
Zawaideh later requested the lawsuit be dismissed. USA Today reported that the pair reached an out-of-court settlement agreement in May 2017.
The suit claims White sent explicit and graphic images of "engorged and erect penises" to Zawaideh. She alleges he forced her to watch "sexually disturbing" porn sexualizing human fecal matter.
Zawaideh, who was fired by White from his band in 2014, claims the snowboarder stuck his hands down his pants and then thrust them in her face. He also, according to the lawsuit, made "demands" that she change her hair, outfits, and makeup for the band's shows.
White has consistently denied the allegations. In 2016 he issued a statement through his lawyer, calling Zawaideh's accusations "totally bogus."
"There is absolutely no coincidence to the timing of her claims, and we will defend them vigorously in court," he said through a representative.
A representative for White did not return a request for comment by BuzzFeed News.
