Brooke Nevils, the former NBC employee who accused Matt Lauer of sexual assault, has provided further insights into her allegations in her upcoming book, “Excerpted from Unspeakable Things,” set to be published on February 3, 2024. This book delves into her relationship with the former “Today” anchor and recounts her claims of rape during the 2014 Sochi Olympics.
In a previous revelation made in Ronan Farrow’s 2019 book, “Catch and Kill,” Nevils detailed her experience during the Winter Games while working alongside Meredith Vieira. Lauer has consistently denied all allegations against him. In her new work, Nevils reflects on the complexities surrounding her traumatic experience. She writes, “Despite the rounds of vodka shots, the overwhelming power differential, and the bloody underwear and sheets, I would never have used the word ‘rape’ to describe what had happened.”
The emotional weight of her experience is evident as she describes the pain and confusion she felt following the incident. “If anyone else had done this to me, I would have gone to the police,” she notes, explaining why she refrained from taking legal action. “I was in freaking Russia. Who would I call? Putin? The KGB? There was only NBC, and Matt Lauer was ‘Today’s’ longest-serving anchor with the biggest contract in the 60-year history of morning television, worth a reported $25 million a year.”
Nevils expresses feelings of guilt and self-blame, stating, “The whole thing had to have been my fault.” She recounts the emotional turmoil she faced after the incident, feeling “totally alone, drowning in plain sight.” Lauer later reached out to her, and despite her distress, she felt compelled to maintain a connection with him, leading to further interactions that she describes as confusing and damaging.
She vividly recounts a subsequent meeting at Lauer’s apartment in New York, where she felt pressured to engage with him again. “I was there to block out a memory, to erase it, to replace it with one less humiliating,” she writes. The encounter culminated in a sexual encounter, which left her grappling with the impact of her previous experiences.
Throughout her narrative, Nevils raises critical questions about the dynamics of power and consent, particularly within preexisting relationships. She reflects on the societal perceptions surrounding sexual assault, emphasizing that many victims may hesitate to label their experiences due to fear of repercussions, including job loss or damage to their reputation.
“I will be much less likely to immediately recognize it as an assault,” she explains, highlighting the complexities that victims face when navigating such situations. “I have to consider not only whether anyone will believe me but how the allegation will impact everyone else in my life.”
Nevils filed a complaint against Lauer in November 2017, leading to his swift termination from NBC within 24 hours. Following his dismissal, various allegations emerged regarding Lauer’s conduct while at the network. Lauer responded to Nevils’ accusations with an open letter, denying any wrongdoing while admitting to an extramarital affair with her.
As Nevils prepares for her book launch, she continues to shed light on the personal ramifications of her experience, aiming to foster understanding and dialogue around these difficult issues. For further insights, readers can explore the full excerpt available on The Cut’s website.
