Epstein Emails Uncover Soon-Yi Previn's Private Criticisms and College Admissions Assistance
Recently released government documents have unveiled a series of private email exchanges between Soon-Yi Previn, the wife of acclaimed filmmaker Woody Allen, and the late convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. These unsealed communications provide a rare and revealing glimpse into the personal correspondence of one of Hollywood's most controversial couples, touching on topics ranging from Hollywood gossip to college admissions.
Previn's Disparaging Remarks About Timothée Chalamet
One particularly attention-grabbing exchange features Previn's critical comments about actor Timothée Chalamet, who has since emerged as one of Hollywood's leading young performers. In her messages to Epstein, Previn wrote, "I'm glad that prick Chalamet's movie did not get a good review," specifically referencing Chalamet's starring role in Woody Allen's 2019 romantic comedy A Rainy Day in New York.
The timing of Previn's comment coincided with a broader cultural reckoning surrounding the #MeToo movement and longstanding allegations against Allen, which he has consistently denied. The film itself was completed in 2017 but faced significant distribution challenges, ultimately being shelved by Amazon Studios amid public backlash. Both Chalamet and his co-star Selena Gomez later donated their salaries from the project to anti-harassment charities, highlighting the difficult position many actors found themselves in regarding Allen's work during that period.
Epstein's Alleged Role in Bard College Admission
The documents reveal another significant email from Previn concerning her daughter's college application process. In a 2017 message that appears to have been sent from Woody Allen's email account, Previn expressed profound gratitude to Epstein for his assistance in securing their daughter Bechet Allen's admission to Bard College in New York.
Previn wrote, "I think it's best that Bechet struggles and doesn't know ahead of time that she got in so that when she gets into Bard she will have sweated it out a bit and will really want to go. Thank you for coming through for us. I can't tell you how much this means to me. Woody said when Bechet sets fire to the school they'll have you to thank."
Bard College, a respected liberal arts institution in upstate New York, did not immediately comment on the emails when approached by reporters. However, a representative for its president, Leon Botstein, told The New York Times that Epstein was "a serial liar who apparently took credit for the sun rising each day," and maintained that Bechet was admitted based solely on her own qualifications. Bard College admits approximately 40 percent of applicants, reflecting a competitive but not hyper-exclusive admissions process.
Bechet Allen, who graduated from Bard in 2021 according to public records, has not commented publicly about the correspondence or her parents' involvement. Neither Allen nor Previn responded to repeated requests for comment from news outlets regarding these revelations.
Additional Controversial Opinions Revealed
Other unsealed emails from Previn showcase her controversial perspectives on various high-profile scandals. In a 2016 exchange about disgraced politician Anthony Weiner, Previn described the 15-year-old girl involved in that case as a calculated manipulator, writing that she "knew exactly what she was doing" and calling her a "despicable and disgusting person."
In a separate 2018 message, Previn claimed that the #MeToo movement had "gone too far," comparing it to excessive Botox use, according to reporting by People magazine. Her communications also included references to her half-brother, journalist Ronan Farrow, a pivotal figure in the #MeToo movement whose investigative reporting helped expose sexual misconduct in Hollywood. Previn's tone in some emails suggested animosity toward Farrow and his work, adding further complexity to the public understanding of her private views.
Broader Context of the Epstein Document Release
These document releases form part of a broader initiative by the U.S. Department of Justice to increase transparency regarding records connected to Epstein, who died in 2019 while awaiting trial on federal sex trafficking charges. The files contain thousands of communications between Epstein and high-profile individuals across politics, business, and entertainment. Previous reports have demonstrated that Epstein maintained relationships with powerful figures long after his initial conviction in 2008.
The revelations underscore how deeply intertwined privilege, celebrity, and influence have been within the circles surrounding Epstein and the Allens. They raise significant new questions about the nature of relationships between powerful figures and the leverage that personal connections—even with discredited individuals—can provide in elite educational and social spheres.
