Armie Hammer Breaks Silence on Sexual Abuse and Cannibalism Allegations

Embattled actor Armie Hammer is speaking out for the first time since facing alarming allegations of sexual abuse and cannibalism in 2021. Reflecting on the tumultuous experience, Hammer compares it to a "hero's journey" and expresses gratitude for the lessons he has learned.

Armie Hammer is breaking his silence years after facing alarming allegations of sexual abuse and cannibalism. The accusations, made by several women, ultimately stalled Hammer's once-successful career.

In an appearance on the "Painful Lessons" podcast, Hammer opened up about the profound impact of the allegations. He likened the experience to a "hero's journey," as described by writer Joseph Campbell.

Armie Hammer Breaks Silence on Sexual Abuse and Cannibalism Allegations

"The hero must die, so the hero can be born again," explained Hammer. "If you don't experience these deaths, you're gonna just keep going with whatever that life is. But if you can access the idea of death as a transitory phase, into the next part of your life, then you end up being grateful for all of these little micro-deaths."

Hammer emphasizes the transformative nature of the allegations, which led to the loss of his career, friends, and ego. However, he also expresses gratitude for the opportunity to learn and grow from the experience.

Armie Hammer Breaks Silence on Sexual Abuse and Cannibalism Allegations

"I'm really lucky that my death wasn't a physical death," Hammer said. "Because the path that I was on before, you know, I was burning the candle pretty hard. On both ends. And you know, there's only a couple different ways that that story ends. And I'm really grateful that - It's almost like a neutron bomb went off in my life, right? It killed all the people. It killed me. It killed my ego. It killed all the people around me that I thought were my friends that weren't. All of these people [gone] in a flash. Went away, but the buildings were still standing. I'm still here. I still have my health. And I'm really grateful for that."

The allegations against Hammer first emerged in January 2021, when an Instagram account named House of Effie shared screenshots of alleged graphic conversations between him and a woman. The messages showed Hammer reportedly calling an unknown individual his "slave" and admitting to being "100% a cannibal."

Armie Hammer Breaks Silence on Sexual Abuse and Cannibalism Allegations

After the initial allegations went viral, other women came forward with similar stories. Courtney Vucekovich told Page Six that during her and Hammer's relationship, he allegedly expressed interest in eating her body parts. Paige Lorenze, another of Hammer's exes, told Fox News Digital about her relationship with the actor, alleging that he wanted to remove her ribs and smoke and eat them.

"When all of this really kind of started for me, it felt like I was in a tornado," Hammer told podcast host and friend Tyler Ramsey. "It felt like the only thing I could do was cover my head and protect my neck, even though I had instincts of lashing out, even though I wanted to go out there and be like, ‘This is crazy. Like, what is everyone talking about?’”

Armie Hammer Breaks Silence on Sexual Abuse and Cannibalism Allegations

Hammer acknowledges the outlandish nature of the allegations, particularly the claim that he was a cannibal. "It was bizarre," he said. "But here's what I will say about it, even in the indiscrepancies…whatever it was that people said, whatever it was that happened, I'm now at a place in my life where I'm grateful for every single bit of it."

Hammer explains that the allegations have led him to a place of self-discovery and growth. Prior to the scandal, he admits to feeling unfulfilled and lacking self-esteem. However, he now believes that the experience has enabled him to develop a deeper understanding of himself and his relationships.

Armie Hammer Breaks Silence on Sexual Abuse and Cannibalism Allegations

"I never knew how to give myself love. I never knew how to give myself validation," he said. "But I had this job where I was able to get it from so many people, that I never learned how to give it to myself. If ever I was feeling sty about myself, I'd go on Instagram. And look at the comments under a selfie that I posted."

Hammer emphasizes that the external validation he received through social media was ultimately unsustainable. When the allegations emerged and his popularity waned, he was confronted with a profound crisis of self-worth. However, he ultimately chose to view the experience as an opportunity for transformation.

"Now at the time, I didn't have the wherewithal or frame of mind to understand that this was a lesson," Hammer said. "But now, being, not only removed from the initial chaos of it, but also having learned everything that I've learned as a result from it, I look at it now and I go, ‘You know what, like, it was awful. And I wouldn’t wish that on my worst enemy, but, for the people in my life that I truly love, I hope some version, preferably smaller than what I went through, will happen to them as well so they can learn everything that I've learned. And I feel great about it now."