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Bill Cosby’s Co-Star Phylicia Rashad Defends Him: ‘Forget These Women’

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"Side Show" Broadway Opening Night - Arrivals & Curtain Call
Phylicia Rashad attends the Broadway Opening Performance of 'Side Show' on Nov. 17, 2014 in New York City.Walter McBride—Getty Images
By Tessa Berenson Rogers

Bill Cosby’s former TV wife defended him against sexual assault allegations Tuesday, sticking up for him amid a growing scandal that now includes a defamation lawsuit against Cosby.

“Forget these women,” Phylicia Rashad said to Roger Friedman of Showbiz 411 about those who have accused Cosby of sexual assault.

After initially hesitating to speak about Cosby, Rashad continued, “What you’re seeing is the destruction of a legacy. And I think it’s orchestrated. I don’t know why or who’s doing it, but it’s the legacy. And it’s a legacy that is so important to the culture.”

Rashad also lamented the effect the rape allegations will have on the Cosby show: “This show represented America to the outside world. This was the American family. And now you’re seeing it being destroyed.”

Bill Cosby’s Public Life in Photos

The Ed Sullivan Show
Bill Cosby performs on The Ed Sullivan Show in 1964. CBS/Getty Images
Bill Cosby
A portrait of Bill Cosby taken in 1965.Hulton Archive/Getty Images
Cosby
Bill Cosby poses with his Emmy for his role in I Spy at the Primetime Emmy Awards in New York City in 1966. AP
Comedian Bill Cosby holding cigar
A portrait of Bill Cosby taken in 1969.Alfred Eisenstaedt—The LIFE Picture Collection/Getty Images
The Second Bill Cosby Special
Bill Cosby performs on The Second Bill Cosby Special in 1969.Fred Sabine—NBC/Getty Images
Ron Galella Archive - File Photos
Bill Cosby attends the "Concert at Town Hall" at Town Hall in New York City in 1971.Ron Galella—WireImage/Getty Images
The Bill Cosby Show
Bill Cosby as Chet Kincaid on The Bill Cosby Show.NBC/Getty Images
The Cosby Show
Bill Cosby as Dr. Heathcliff 'Cliff' Huxtable in The Cosby Show.Frank Carroll—NBC/Getty Images
The Tonight Show with Jay Leno
Bill Cosby is interviewed by Jay Leno on The Tonight Show With Jay Leno in 1992.Wendy Perl—NBC/Getty Images
Bill Cosby
Bill Cosby speaks to an audience on the campus of the University of the District of Columbia in 2006, in Washington D.C.LAWRENCE JACKSON—AP
The 2011 Jackie Robinson Foundation Awards Gala - Dinner
Host Bill Cosby speaks onstage at the 2011 Jackie Robinson Foundation awards gala atThe Waldorf Astoria in 2011 in New York City. Stephen Lovekin—Getty Images
2011 Temple University Commencement
Bill Cosby attends the 2011 Temple University Commencement at the Liacouras Center in 2011 in Philadelphia, Pa.Gilbert Carrasquillo—Getty Images
2014 American Comedy Awards - Press Room
Bill Cosby attends the 2014 American Comedy Awards at Hammerstein Ballroom on April 26, 2014 in New York City. Andrew Toth—FilmMagic/Getty Images

Read next: Bill Cosby’s Youngest Daughter Defends Him Against Sex Assault Allegations

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Write to Tessa Berenson Rogers at tessa.Rogers@time.com