Chris Hardwick's ex-girlfriend, Chloe Dykstra, published a revealing piece yesterday accusing her former boyfriend of mental and sexual abuse. Though she didn't mention him by name in the essay, there clues that pointed to Hardwick as the abusive ex. Hardwick is now denying all of the accusations.
"These are very serious allegations and not to be taken lightly which is why I’ve taken the day to consider how to respond," read the statement, according to Variety. "I was heartbroken to read Chloe’s post. Our three-year relationship was not perfect—we were ultimately not a good match and argued—even shouted at each other—but I loved her, and did my best to uplift and support her as a partner and companion in any way and at no time did I sexually assault her."
Hardwick also accused Dykstra of infidelity. “For several weeks after we broke up, she asked to get back together with me and even told me she wanted to have kids with me, 'build a life' with me and told me that I was ‘the one,’ but I did not want to be with someone who was unfaithful,” he said.
With the #MeToo movement in full force, Hardwick reiterated his alleged innocence and said he's against any "mistreatment of women."
"I’m devastated to read that she is now accusing me of conduct that did not occur. l was blindsided by her post and always wanted the best for her. As a husband, a son, and future father, I do not condone any kind of mistreatment of women," it read.
After Dykstra's piece went up, Nerdist distanced themselves from Hardwick, who founded the site, with claims that he does not have creative control over it anymore. Hardwick also became a trending topic on Twitter. Although he denied the claims, Dykstra warned him that she had proof of the alleged abuse.
"I have audio/video that will support and prove many of the things I’ve stated in this post," Dykstra says at the end of her piece. "I’ve chosen not to include it for your sake, in the hopes that the person you’ve become will do the right thing."
