After the expose from theNew York Times published this week alleged movie producer Harvey Weinstein had sexually assaulted or harrassed multiple women in Hollywood and paid them off, one question many have been asking is why it has only come out now.

In fact, many of his alleged victims have been dropping hints about his apparently well-known behaviour for years, including Rose McGowan.

Now footage has recently re-emerged of the moment Gwyneth Paltrow tried to out Harvey Weinstein’s alleged abuse almost 20 years ago.

In a 1998 televised interview with David Letterman, the then-26 year old described the disgraced movie mogul as a “coercer”.

The host asked the actress about her Thanksgiving plans, to which she replied, “I would have ordinarily gone not on Thanksgiving but I’m here for you.”

Jokingly, Letterman responded, “Are you here of your own free will? Has someone coerced you into being here?”

“Do you count Harvey Weinstein as a coercer?” said Paltrow.

The conversation about Weinstein continued.

“I do all my movies for Harvey Weinstein, that’s Miramax, and I’m lucky to do them there but he will coerce you to do a thing or two,” Paltrow elaborated

When asked what she got in return, the actress said “nothing”.

While much of the exchange is in a jokey, almost resigned manner, her comments are chilling in the context of the allegations that have emerged against the former studio film executive.

Along with a growing list of other women, including Hollywood heavyweights such as Angelina Jolie, Paltrow claimed earlier this week she’d been sexually harassed by Weinstein early on in her career.

LISTEN: On Mamamia Out Loud, Mia, Rachel and Jessie discuss everything that is happening with Harvey Weinstein….

The incident allegedly occurred when Paltrow was just 22-years-old and had just been hired by Weinstein – the man heralded as kickstarting her career which eventually led to an Academy Award – to star in the lead of the Jane Austen adaptationEmma.

Before the film began shooting, she said he summoned her to his hotel suite for a work meeting, that allegedly ended up with him placing his hands on her and suggesting they go to his bedroom for massages.