Publicist Heathcliff Berru has finally spoken up about the abuse claims recently made against him.
This will be his first statement in light of the accusations, and will be part of an article in Brooklyn Magazine based around sexual assault in the music industry. Berru spoke to a reporter over the phone from a California rehab facility, where he is being treated for drug, alcohol and sex addiction. “My behavior was wildly inappropriate, hurtful, and terrible,” he said. “But I have never raped or drugged anyone. I can’t accept that.”
The founder of Life or Death PR & Management, Berru is a well-known publicist the music industry with a roster of high-profile artists under his belt, including Killer Mike and Cloud Nothings. Therefore, it came as a surprise when these accusations of sexual assault came to the surface.
Amber Coffman of Dirty Projections initially made the announcement on Twitter that she had been assaulted by the high-profile music publicist, and she was then joined by several other women claiming the same had happened to them. Even big names such as Best Coast’s Bethany Consentino and Motormouth Media publicist Judy Miller Silverman shared their thoughts and experiences on Berru.
Berru gave an initial statement to LA Weekly shortly after these allegations emerged, in which he addressed his decision to go to rehab and step down as the CEO of his company, among other things.
However, Berru has now apologized for his initial statement, calling it “dry” and “insincere.” He goes on to say that he finds it bold and brave when people stand up for themselves, and hopes that the topic of assault and sexism in the music industry is addressed further from now on. His follow-up statement is as follows:
“I am so sorry to everyone that I hurt. I was made an example of in a way that was necessary given the circumstances. It was time for me to pay for all my mistakes and accept responsibility and face what I did do. When I first spoke out and made that statement, that was me reacting as a f—ing publicist. That dry, almost insincere response was the last bit of publicist in me, trying to put out a fire. I tried to live this lifestyle with disgusting disregard to those I hurt.
I was a terrible husband, a terrible friend, a terrible human being on every level, and I found my escape through my drugs, alcohol, and sex addiction. That’s something that’s hard, and really hard to admit. In the blind throes of my addiction I tried to live this lifestyle and disgusting fantasy out. What am I left with? Just a path of destruction out there. The life I built was a joke based on an unstable foundation. I can’t believe it went this far and I did so many things that upset so many people to such a degree that it consumed their lives and it is an issue they have to deal with in a very real way.
I made mistakes, but I am not a mistake. I had a hard time coming to that realization. I’m in detox and treatment right now; I’ve surrendered everything. I look back, and I can’t help but obsess over it. I look at the things I did, I have to say this: My behavior was wildly inappropriate, hurtful, and terrible. But I have never raped or drugged anyone. I can’t accept that.
I think it’s very brave and bold when people stand up. I hope this motivates women and anyone to stand up, and put one foot forward in a situation that makes them feel uncomfortable. Particularly sexism in music or entertainment, or in industries where people drink, use drugs and do other things that they’ll use to excuse themselves the next day when they clean up. I want to be a good example for people that have addiction issues. The reason I’m even speaking today is to express sincere apology and to acknowledge that I was a really shitty person and upset a lot of women. Men everywhere are shaken as a result of these stories, and you know what? It’s time that people own up.”
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