Neil Gaiman: British Author Denies Sexual Harassment Allegations, Calling 'Smear Campaign'

Liputan6.com, Jakarta - Renowned British author Neil Gaiman has returned to the public spotlight after vehemently denying allegations of sexual harassment against him.

In his latest statement in February 2026, Gaiman called the allegations a "smear campaign" that was "completely and utterly untrue," claming to have substantial evidence, including emails, text messages, and videos, that refuted the allegations.

Gaiman, known for works such as Coraline and American Gods, has faced numerous allegations of sexual harassment and coercive behavior since mid-2024.

These allegations have significantly impacted his professional reputation, including the postponement of several adaptations of his work.

Gaiman's latest statement comes after nearly a year of not speaking publicly about the issue, expressing his disappointment with journalistic investigations that he believes have ignored or dismissed the evidence he has obtained.

Neil Gaiman has responded to several allegations of sexual assault, writing on his personal blog, “I have never engaged in non-consensual sexual activity with anyone. Ever.”The author expressed regret for how he has handled personal relationships, writing that “I was… pic.twitter.com/XRcKx5Toft

— Variety (@Variety) January 14, 2025

In response to New York Magazine's investigation in January 2025, Gaiman issued a statement asserting that he "never engaged in non-consensual sexual activity with anyone. Never."

He stated that he had reread the messages exchanged with the women and believed they still reflected a consensual relationship.

Gaiman admitted that he was “emotionally unavailable while sexually available, selfish, and not as conscientious as he should have been.”

He expressed deep regret for his recklessness with others’ hearts and feelings, calling it a selfish act.

However, he did not accept that there was any abuse and would not admit to things he did not do.

In February 2026, Gaiman issued another statement on his Facebook page, stating that he had “learned firsthand how effective a smear campaign can be.”

He asserted that the allegations against him were “completely and utterly false” and claimed to have “emails, text messages, and video evidence that blatantly contradict these allegations.”

Allegations of sexual harassment and coercive behavior against Neil Gaiman first surfaced in July 2024 through a podcast produced by the Tortoise Media team.

In the podcast, five women described receiving unwanted sexual advances from Gaiman, some of which escalated to sexual harassment.

Gaiman previously acknowledged some of these encounters, but characterized them as consensual BDSM relationships.

In January 2025, New York Magazine published a broader investigation, in which eight women accused Gaiman of assault, harassment, and coercion.

The article detailed allegations from various women, including former fans, Gaiman's former nanny, and a single mother.

One woman even accused Gaiman of sexually assaulting her in his garden bathtub.

Nine women have come forward with allegations against Neil Gaiman, including Scarlett Pavlovich, the former nanny for Gaiman and his wife, Amanda Palmer.

Pavlovich filed a lawsuit against Gaiman and Palmer, accusing the pair of human trafficking.

In her lawsuit, Pavlovich alleged that she was repeatedly raped and sexually assaulted by Gaiman while working for the couple unpaid in New Zealand in 2022.

The lawsuit also alleged that Gaiman called Pavlovich “slave” and ordered her to call him “master.”

“None of Pavlovich’s claims are true,” he wrote. “She is a fantasist who has fabricated a tale of abuse against me and Ms. Palmer.”