CNN
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Armie Hammer and his estranged spouse Elizabeth Chambers’ contentious cut up in 2020 was extensively publicized, however extra is coming to gentle about why which will have been the case.
Because the latest Discovery+ docuseries “Home of Hammer” has introduced allegations of sexual abuse by Hammer again into the headlines, CNN has obtained emails and textual content messages that allegedly present that Chambers, a enterprise proprietor and TV character, used a good friend’s electronic mail account to contact media retailers about Hammer, each months earlier than and after information of his extramarital affairs and the allegations of abuse by the actor, which he has denied, first turned public. (Discovery+ and CNN share the identical mother or father firm.)
A now former good friend of Chambers, who allowed Chambers entry to her electronic mail account, offered emails and display photographs of textual content messages to CNN, which present that Hammer’s ex allegedly posed as this lady and despatched messages to press retailers utilizing her account. The girl, who has requested to not be named in CNN’s report, citing privateness for her household and youngsters, stated she is coming ahead as a result of she feels issues “went too far” as she was making an attempt to “assist my good friend whereas she was going by means of a tough divorce.”
CNN has additionally obtained screenshots of textual content messages between Chambers and her former good friend discussing the impersonation.
The girl informed CNN that she would typically converse to reporters on the cellphone, whereas Chambers stood beside her and informed her what to say, including that she felt “strain” to maintain up the charade.
CNN has reached out to representatives of Chambers who declined to remark.
Hammer’s lawyer, Andrew Brettler, declined to remark when reached by CNN.
Hammer, who has appeared in movies like “Name Me By Your Identify” and “The Social Community,” and Chambers have been married for 10 years. They share two youngsters collectively. Chambers filed for divorce from the actor in July 2020, citing irreconcilable variations.
On October 15, 2020, in line with screenshots of an electronic mail message seen by CNN, Chambers contacted a media outlet utilizing her good friend’s title and account. Within the electronic mail, she claimed that Hammer had deserted her and their youngsters in Grand Cayman the place they have been residing collectively through the early months of the pandemic, earlier than their separation, to spend time with actress Lily James. The e-mail tip by Chambers was despatched simply weeks earlier than Hammer and James’ film “Rebecca” was set to debut on Netflix.
James’ consultant has beforehand denied the allegation the 2 co-stars had an affair.
It’s unclear if any of the retailers used the data offered by Chambers, though they did repeatedly cowl the previous couple’s cut up and Hammer’s skilled downfall.
Chambers publicly addressed the dissolution of their marriage for the primary time in an interview with E! final week, stating the previous couple is now in a “actually excellent spot” with their co-parenting and that their divorce is just not but finalized.
Her remarks sparked a response from one of many ladies who has accused the actor of abuse. That lady, recognized solely as Effie, first shared her story on Instagram on January 10, 2021 by creating an nameless account known as Home of Effie.
Final Wednesday, Effie shared a sequence of messages on Instagram, allegedly between her and Chambers from that point, wherein Chambers requested if she had retained a lawyer and appeared to encourage her to come back ahead along with her account. The messages additionally present that she urged Effie search authorized illustration, which she did with legal professional Gloria Allred.
CNN has not been capable of independently confirm the messages, however in a press release to Individuals, a consultant of Chambers stated: “Given the extent and nature of allegations that have been made, Elizabeth sought to find out the veracity of these allegations. She was very delicate to all events concerned. The security and well-being of their youngsters stays her precedence.”
Two months after first sharing her allegations of abuse, Effie accused Hammer of raping her in 2017. She made the allegation throughout a press convention with Allred. Allred informed CNN that as of final week, she is now not representing Effie. She didn’t elaborate why.
CNN has reached out to Effie for remark and has not heard again.
Hammer has not been charged with any crime and has denied any wrongdoing. On the time, his legal professional known as the allegation “outrageous” and stated Hammer’s interactions with the lady and different companions have been “utterly consensual, mentioned and agreed upon prematurely.”
A spokesman for the LA County District Legal professional’s Workplace informed CNN earlier this month that the case stays beneath investigation. “A specifically assigned prosecutor is working with regulation enforcement as they proceed their investigation,” he stated, including that the proof can be evaluated as soon as it’s submitted.
In pictures of emails obtained by CNN and dated January 13, 2021, allegedly writing beneath the guise of her good friend, Chambers offered screenshots from Hammer’s personal Instagram account to the identical reporter she had beforehand contacted. Within the correspondence, Chambers writes that Hammer had been photographed poolside, regardless of the allegations from ladies coming ahead on social media, “smugly residing his most privileged life as his profession burns to the bottom.”
Two days later, the outlet printed a narrative about Hammer’s personal Instagram account, although it’s unclear whether or not the story was prompted by the emails.
Within the texts and emails obtained by CNN, Chambers seems to acknowledge a number of instances that she is impersonating her good friend. In a single screenshot of a textual content message despatched from Chambers to her good friend, she writes, “Omg. I’m at present writing an electronic mail out of your account to the [media outlet].”
In Chambers’ interview this week, she stated their entire household is now centered on therapeutic.
“Armie has been centered on his therapeutic. There’s the oxygen masks principle: You may’t actually care for somebody till you’re taken care of,” she stated. “He has been very busy securing his personal masks. My masks has been secured, [the kids’] masks are on, so proper now it’s actually been loads about specializing in them, defending them.”