Who Is Antonia Jenae? Richard Branson Responds To Singer's Sexual Misconduct Claims
Businessman Richard Branson was accused of sexual misconduct by a backing singer for music star Joss Stone. On Saturday, the billionaire Virgin boss responded to the allegations, saying he has "no recollection" of the alleged incident, which took place on Necker Island in the British Virgin Islands.
Antonia Jenae, 44, claimed Branson put his face in her cleavage after she had been invited to his Caribbean home. Jenae told United Kingdom tabloid, the Sun, the alleged incident happened "totally out of the blue" and she was "shocked." Jenae also said Branson's "behaviour was disgusting."
“We were by the bar and he was saying bye to everyone. He came up to me and put his face in my breasts," she told the Sun. “Joss and I were like, ‘What the hell was that?!’ Everyone was wondering why I wasn’t angry because I’m usually a firebrand. But I was just too shocked.”
Jenae also took to her Facebook account to post a message joining the #metoo campaign.
"When you tell the truth.... there’s bound to be a troll or two trying to prove you wrong. Don’t pay attention to the trolls. They are a distraction. Stay focused in truth. It will set you free. #metoo," she wrote.
A spokeswoman for Virgin Management said: "Richard has no recollection of this matter and neither do his family and friends, who were with him on the island at the time."
"There would never have been any intention to offend or make anyone feel uncomfortable in any way and Richard apologizes if anyone felt that way during their time on the island," she said.
Virgin also issued a statement from Stone’s father, Richard Stoker, who was on the island at the time.
"Joss and the group had a wonderful afternoon on Necker Island, everybody entered into the party spirit and it was wonderful getting to know Richard and his family," he said.
Jenae has been part of the Konchus Collective record label and has an album titled "For Medicinal Purposes," which released in 2005.
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