‘The Four: Battle For Stardom’ Panelist Charlie Walk Accused Of Sexual Misconduct
FOX's The Four: Battle of Stardom is concluding its first season. However, the harsh spotlight of sexual misconduct has shone on one of the panelists.
Charlie Walk Accused
Music executive and The Four: Battle of Stardom panelist Charlie Walk is the latest recording industry official to be accused of sexual misconduct.
Walk's alleged accuser is Southern California lifestyle expert and Life Lab founder Tristan Coppersmith. In an open letter that she published on Monday, Jan. 29, Coppersmith stated that Walk gave her a "once-in-a-lifetime" opportunity to work in the music industry. Under Walk's employment, Coppersmith met some of the industry's influential business leaders, including Russell Simmons and Prince.
However, Coppersmith revealed that Walk also had a dark side. Coppersmith stated that the Republic Group president flirted with her, made "lewd" comments about her body, and whispered offensive remarks when Walk's wife was around.
"You promised me the world in my career. You told me I would be one of the Top 30 music executives under 30. It's what I wanted. Cloaked in power, you know how to get me right where you wanted me. Under your control. Playing your sick games," Coppersmith wrote on her blog.
Coppersmith continued that she confided in a colleague about Walk's actions and the colleague helped her stage a graceful exit. However, she revealed that in favor of that exit and the settlement money, Coppersmith had to sign a gag order and relocate to Los Angeles.
Universal Music Group Responds
Just hours after Coppersmith posted on her blog, Walk's employers and Universal Music Group talked about the ongoing controversy.
"While it appears this blog post relates to the period prior to Mr. Walk's appointment to his position at Republic Records, we take the allegations very seriously and intend to conduct a full and complete review of this matter," said a Universal Music Group representative to Billboard.
The Four: Battle For Stardom In Jeopardy?
Walk's other employer, FOX Broadcasting Company, issued a statement regarding the incident.
"We have only recently learned of these past allegations regarding Mr. Walk. We are currently reviewing this matter and are committed to fostering a safe environment for all of our shows," the company stated to USA Today.
Walk's sexual misconduct allegations come at the worst possible time for FOX's The Four: Battle for Stardom.
This week, the FOX talent competition is expected to bring back four fan-favorite artists who were previously eliminated from the show. An original member of The Four -- Ash Minor, Saeed Renaud, Candice Boyd, and Zhavia -- will compete for one last chance to reclaim their seats.
The show, which stars Walk, Sean 'Diddy' Combs, DJ Khaled, and Meghan Trainor as The Four: Battle For Stardom's panelists, focuses on finding the next superstar in the music industry. Currently, Jason Warrior, Nick Harrison, Tim Johnson, Jr., and Kendyle Paige are up for the show's top prize.
The winner of the competition is expected to receive guidance from all four experts and be named one of iHeartMedia's On the Verge Artists.
