Soon-Yi Previn breaks her long silence on husband Woody Allen and mother Mia Farrow, in controversial interview
Soon-Yi Previn, the adopted daughter of Mia Farrow and Andre Previn, has given her first real interview since her scandalous affair and subsequent marriage to Woody Allen, who had been in a long-term relationship with Farrow until Farrow discovered the affair via nude snapshots of Soon-Yi on Allen's mantle. Previn spoke with writer Daphne Merkin at New York about how she and Allen grew close, how they have stayed married for 20 years, Dylan Farrow's allegations that Allen sexually molested her, and Previn's angry and unhappy memories of life with Farrow.
"I was never interested in writing a Mommie Dearest, getting even with Mia — none of that," Previn said. "But what's happened to Woody is so upsetting, so unjust. [Mia] has taken advantage of the #MeToo movement and paraded Dylan as a victim." She and Allen — who participates in many of the interviews — sound surprised their relationship has lasted so long, Merkin writes. "That's what Mia must be the most shocked by," Previn told her. "That is so foreign to her. She probably can't get her mind around that." She insisted, though, that their relationship wasn't about getting "vengeance at Mia."
Merkin, who has written skeptically about the #MeToo movement and related topics, acknowledged that she's "been friends with Allen for over four decades" and says she "can't pretend to know what actually occurred" between him and Dylan. Seven of Farrow's children released a statement defending Farrow as a loving and caring mother and standing with Dylan Farrow, and one of the seven, Ronan Farrow, released his own statement criticizing New York for publishing Merkin's "hit job." (A second of Farrow's 10 adopted children, Moses, sided with Previn's characterization of Farrow; three of the adopted children have died.)
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
You can read Previn's account of her childhood and relationship with Allen at New York.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Peter has worked as a news and culture writer and editor at The Week since the site's launch in 2008. He covers politics, world affairs, religion and cultural currents. His journalism career began as a copy editor at a financial newswire and has included editorial positions at The New York Times Magazine, Facts on File, and Oregon State University.
-
Can AI tools be used to Hollywood's advantage?
Talking Points It makes some aspects of the industry faster and cheaper. It will also put many people in the entertainment world out of work
By Anya Jaremko-Greenwold, The Week US Published
-
'Paraguay has found itself in a key position'
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
By Justin Klawans, The Week US Published
-
Meet Youngmi Mayer, the renegade comedian whose frank new memoir is a blitzkrieg to the genre
The Week Recommends 'I'm Laughing Because I'm Crying' details a biracial life on the margins, with humor as salving grace
By Scott Hocker, The Week US Published
-
Quincy Jones, music icon, is dead at 91
Speed Read The legendary producer is perhaps best known as the architect behind Michael Jackson's 'Thriller'
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
OJ Simpson, star athlete tried for murder, dead at 76
Speed Read The former football hero and murder suspect lost his battle with cancer
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
Momofuku's 'Chili Crunch' trademark uproar
Speed Read The company's attempt to own the sole rights has prompted backlash
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
Kevin Hart awarded Mark Twain Prize
Speed Read He is the 25th recipient of the prestigious comedy prize
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Is Downton Abbey set to return for a final film?
Speed Read Imelda Staunton reveals that a third movie may be in the pipeline
By Adrienne Wyper, The Week UK Published
-
'Oppenheimer' sweeps Oscars with 7 wins
speed read The film won best picture, best director (Christopher Nolan) and best actor (Cillian Murphy)
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
'Rust' armorer convicted of manslaughter
speed read The film's cinematographer Halyna Hutchins was shot and killed by actor Alec Baldwin during rehearsal
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
The Beatles are getting 4 intersecting biopics
Speed Read Director Sam Mendes is making four separate movies, each told from the perspective of one band member
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published