Boys don't cry -- but torture victims do! It's a lesson Oscar winner Hilary Swank had to learn the hard way after catching flack for her controversial decision to attend a Chechen dictator's birthday party.
The "Million Dollar Baby" actress, who likely has more than enough party buddies as it is, just had to add another to her list, which has landed her in a load of trouble. It seems that the desire for a paycheck and a failure to Google may be the downfall for some actors, Swank and Jean-Claude van Damme included, who showed up to celebrate Chechen President -- and human rights violator -- Ramzan Kadyrov's birthday.
The Guardian reports that Swank became the target of criticism not only for her attendance, but due to the fact that her rep had told Human Rights Watch the Swank wouldn't be going to the event.
During the lavish party, for which Swank and van Damme were reportedly paid six-figure sums, the Muscles from Brussels told Kadyrov, "I love you," while Swank told wished him a happy birthday and expressed her happiness over being in the formerly war-torn nation's capital.
Human Rights Watch expressed their disappointment in the actors' choice to attend, stating, "Ramzan Kadyrov is linked to a litany of horrific human rights abuses. It's inappropriate for stars to get paid to party with him. It bolsters his image and legitimizes a brutal leader and his regime. And getting paid to be part of such a lavish show in Chechnya trivializes the suffering of countless victims of human rights abuses there."
So remember, keep your friends close and your torture-happy politician buddies in Eastern Europe.
