Bill Cosby backs out of 'Queen Latifah Show' appearance as Barbara Bowman rape allegations surface again

Bill Cosby may be a beloved comedian, but his treatment of women is in focus again, as Barbara Bowman came forward to discuss her own experiences with Cosby. The former sitcom dad was supposed to appear on The Queen Latifah Show soon, but has pulled out of that appearance.

On Thursday, TMZ claimed that Latifah producers cancelled the appearance due to rape allegations. However, they later told TheWrap that it was Cosby’s decision to back out.

The move comes as the rape allegations are back under the spotlight, likely triggered by comedian Hannibal Buress calling Cosby a rapist during a set earlier this month.

Buress was referring to the 2006 case of Andrea Constand, who claimed she was drugged and sexually assaulted by Cosby in 2004. She eventually settled, although her lawyers found 13 other women claiming being assaulted, drugged and or abused by Cosby.
Earlier this week, Bowman told her story to MailOnline, saying that she was happy that Buress brought the allegations up again.

“I was drugged and raped by that man,” Bowman said. “He is a monster. He came at me like a monster. My hope is that others who have experienced sexual abuse will not be intimidated into silence by the famous, rich and powerful. If I can help one victim, then I've done my job.”

Bowman, 47, said that she first met Cosby in 1985 for an audition and was drugged, assaulted and even raped more than once by Cosby.

According to the Washington Post, this was not the first time Bowman has spoken out. She did talk with Newsweek in February. Cosby’s publicist's response to the Newsweek interview was, “This is a 10-year-old, discredited accusation that proved to be nothing at the time, and is still nothing.”

For Cosby professionally, these allegations have resurfaced in the middle of his career comeback. He did a Comedy Central stand-up special last year and has an NBC show in development.

image courtesy of INFphoto.com