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.
-
Magazine solutions - December 27, 2024 / January 3, 2025
Puzzles and Quizzes Issue - December 27, 2024 / January 3, 2025
By The Week US Published
-
Magazine printables - December 27, 2024 / January 3, 2025
Puzzles and Quizzes Issue - December 27, 2024 / January 3, 2025
By The Week US Published
-
Why ghost guns are so easy to make — and so dangerous
The Explainer Untraceable, DIY firearms are a growing public health and safety hazard
By David Faris Published
-
Honda and Nissan in merger talks
Speed Read The companies are currently Japan's second and third-biggest automakers, respectively
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Taylor Swift wraps up record-shattering Eras tour
Speed Read The pop star finally ended her long-running tour in Vancouver, Canada
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Drake claims illegal boosting, defamation
Speed Read The rapper accused Universal Music of boosting Kendrick Lamar's diss track and said UMG allowed him to be falsely accused of pedophilia
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
'Wicked' and 'Gladiator II' ignite holiday box office
Speed Read The combination of the two movies revitalized a struggling box office
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Jussie Smollet conviction overturned on appeal
Speed Read The Illinois Supreme Court overturned the actor's conviction on charges of staging a racist and homophobic attack against himself in 2019
By Peter Weber, 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