Shaun White Regrets Calling Sex Misconduct Allegations 'Gossip'

CARLSBAD, CA — Shaun White, who was asked about a 2016 sexual misconduct lawsuit against him hours after winning a gold medal in the men's halfpipe at the 2018 Olympic games, says he regrets calling the allegations "gossip." White settled the lawsuit for an undisclosed amount in May.

Numerous social media users brought up the allegations by Lena Zawaideh, a former drummer in White's rock band, Bad Things. Zawaideh accused White of sexually harassing her and refusing to pay her wages after he fired her.

She said White forced her to watch pornography and told her how to get her hair cut. Her lawsuit included screenshots of text messages allegedly sent by White asking about the haircut and suggesting she wear a provocative outfit.

The lawsuit also said White grabbed Zawaideh's buttocks shortly after leaving a band practice and that he once shoved a bottle of vodka into her mouth and forced her to drink from it. It also said that "White stuck his hands down his pants, approached Zawaideh, and stuck his hands in her face trying to make her smell them." The lawsuit also says White tried to kiss Zawaideh at a Halloween party.

When asked whether her accusations could damage his reputation, White only said: "I'm here to talk about the Olympics, not gossip and stuff. I don't think so."

US Snowboarding and Freeskiing Event Director Nick Alexakos shut down reporters who tried to ask him follow up questions about the lawsuit. White immediately left the stage following the conference while reporters continued to question him.

"I have to get to the medal ceremony," he said while being ushered away by Alexakos.

White later told Savannah Guthrie, host of NBC's "Today" show he regretted the "gossip" remark.

"I'm truly sorry that I chose the word gossip to describe such a sensitive subject affecting the world today. I'm just truly sorry," he said. "I was so overwhelmed with just wanting to talk about how amazing today was and share my experience."

White said he's grown as a person over the years and said it's amazing how life works with twists and turns and lessons learned.

"I feel like a I'm a much more changed person. I'm proud of who I am today," he added.

Phone calls and an email to Zawaideh's attorney from the lawsuit were not immediately returned.

Bad Things signed with Warner Bros. Records in 2013. The rock group released a self-titled album in January of 2014 and toured briefly.

Praise for White's performance in Pyeongchang caught backfire on social media at a time when #MeToo and other movements are calling for more accountability about harassment and abuse.

White was born in San Diego and grew up in Carlsbad. He went to Carlsbad High School and ranks third among Americans in individual winter gold medals, behind speedskaters Bonnie Blair and Eric Heiden, who have five each.

By JAKE SEINER, AP Sports Writer

Photo credit: Lee Jin-man/Associated Press