Amy Smart Defends Husband Carter Oosterhouse Amid Sexual Misconduct Claims

In wake of HGTV star Carter Oosterhouse being accused of sexual misconduct by his former makeup artist, Oosterhouse’s wife Amy Smart has defended her husband.

Sharing a photograph of her and Oosterhouse along with their 11-month old, Smart wrote, “We are in a climate right now where it’s so wonderful and needed to have women coming forward to break their silence; it is vital and important for female equality. Period. A lot of the stories are horrific and need to be brought to light. This story, about my husband, Carter Oosterhouse, on the other hand, is now taking it too far and boundaries are being crossed.”

 

We are in a climate right now where it’s so wonderful and needed to have women coming forward to break their silence; it is vital and important for female equality. Period. A lot of the stories are horrific and need to be brought to light. This story, about my husband, Carter Oosterhouse, on the other hand, is now taking it too far and boundaries are being crossed. When you are in a CONSENSUAL RELATIONSHIP, then you need to take responsibility for engaging in that and not play victim. IF a relationship does not work out the way you want it to, then sorry, but that is the risk you take when getting intimate with another person. There are plenty of relationships I wish I could go back and make different choices about, but it was on me to decide. We need to take responsibility and learn from our mistakes and choices. Women are powerful and we need to be reminded of the strength and power we hold and learn ways to take care of ourselves so we don’t find ourselves saying yes when we really need to say no. The article is very damaging and cruel to one of the most kindest, loving, non-aggressive men I have the privilege of knowing and I am so sorry for these salacious words being thrown around, they are extremely hurtful. This type of reporting needs to stop, it’s so damaging for personal lives and careers and just not fair. Enough is enough, this is a plea to the writers, outlets and media…More due diligence needs to be done before crafting headlines and stories. Have discernment when you tell a story and please consider the source and story before just printing anything to get readers and viewers. #lovethesetwo

A post shared by amy smart (@smarthouse26) on Dec 16, 2017 at 12:07pm PST

Kailey Kaminsky, who was Oosterhouse’s makeup artist in 2008 during production of Carter Can, alleges that the TLC star coerced her into performing repeated acts of oral sex during production, which she says led to her being hospitalized for depression and ultimately losing her job.

Kaminsky told The Hollywood Reporter that the carpenter reality star threatened her employment.  “At that point I was a nervous wreck,” says Kaminsky. “I was so worn down from his advances, so I did: that day, on that occasion. It was the first time. Then thereafter it was most every time we would shoot — 10 to 15 times he put me in this position.”

“He’s like, ‘You know what would be a good idea? If you went down on me,'” Kaminsky detailed.  “I was shocked — it was so random. I said, in my sarcastic way, ‘Well, that’s not sexual harassment at all.’ He said, ‘I just think it would be fun.’ I made it clear that I did not think it would be fun. Still, I thought he was just goofing around.” Kaminsky also shared that, at the time, she continuously denied his advances, for she identifies as a lesbian.

In a statement to THR, Oosterhouse dubbed the accusation as “upsetting” and admitted to having an “intimate relationship” with Kaminsky, but assures that “it was 100 percent mutual.”

Oosterhouse also explained that the Kaminsky never indicated that she was “uncomfortable” during their relationship and “I would have never done anything that I was not sure was mutually agreeable. The reality is that I knew it was consensual because she initiated it the first time and many of the 15 or so times we had oral sex thereafter.”

Smart reiterated her husband’s defense, accusing Kaminsky of “playing the victim.” “When you are in a CONSENSUAL RELATIONSHIP, then you need to take responsibility for engaging in that and not play victim,” Smart wrote. “IF a relationship does not work out the way you want it to, then sorry, but that is the risk you take when getting intimate with another person.”

Smart adds that her husband is “kind” and “non-aggressive.” “The article is very damaging and cruel to one of the most kindest, loving, non-aggressive men I have the privilege of knowing and I am so sorry for these salacious words being thrown around, they are extremely hurtful.” 

Since the 2008 show, Oosterhouse has served as the host for other shows including HGTV’s Celebrity Motor Homes and FYI’s Rowhouse Showdown. Oosterhouse is also known to make appearances as a home improvement expert on shows such as Rachel Ray and The View.

Kaminsky no longer acts as a professional makeup artist. “He took away the joy that I got from doing makeup,” she says. “I just had no confidence.”

Read Oosterhouse’s full statement below.

First off, let me say that I am very passionate about what is a happening right now with the #metoo movement, especially because I have so many strong woman in my life, like my wife, mother, sister and of course my little baby girl. We are in a time of change for society and I am behind it 100%.

I had an intimate relationship with Kailey 9 years ago and it was 100% mutual and consensual. In no way did I ever feel, nor was it ever indicated to me, that Kailey was uncomfortable during our intimate relationship. I would have never done anything that I was not sure was mutually agreeable.

The reality is that I knew it was consensual because she initiated it the first time and many of the 15 or so times we had relations thereafter. We were together outside of work and I considered her a friend.I want to address a couple of the things she said.

First, I didn’t have anything to do with her not being invited back to the show — that was a producer decision.

And as for the fact that she identifies as a lesbian — I didn’t know that — all I knew was that she was in a sexual relationship with another guy who worked on the show. 

It’s upsetting that she now feels this way, I only wish her the best and truly hope that she can move forward.