!["Side Show" Broadway Opening Night - Arrivals & Curtain Call "Side Show" Broadway Opening Night - Arrivals & Curtain Call](https://api.time.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/459142258.jpg?quality=85&w=2400)
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 The Ed Sullivan Show](https://api.time.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/bill-cosby-01.jpg?quality=75&w=2400)
![Bill Cosby Bill Cosby](https://api.time.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/bill-cosby-02.jpg?quality=75&w=2400)
![Cosby Cosby](https://api.time.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/bill-cosby-03.jpg?quality=75&w=2400)
![Comedian Bill Cosby holding cigar Comedian Bill Cosby holding cigar](https://api.time.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/bill-cosby-04.jpg?quality=75&w=2400)
![The Second Bill Cosby Special The Second Bill Cosby Special](https://api.time.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/bill-cosby-05.jpg?quality=75&w=2400)
![Ron Galella Archive - File Photos Ron Galella Archive - File Photos](https://api.time.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/bill-cosby-06.jpg?quality=75&w=2400)
![The Bill Cosby Show The Bill Cosby Show](https://api.time.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/bill-cosby-07.jpg?quality=75&w=2400)
![The Cosby Show The Cosby Show](https://api.time.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/bill-cosby-08.jpg?quality=75&w=2400)
![The Tonight Show with Jay Leno The Tonight Show with Jay Leno](https://api.time.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/bill-cosby-09.jpg?quality=75&w=2400)
![Bill Cosby Bill Cosby](https://api.time.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/bill-cosby-12.jpg?quality=75&w=2400)
![The 2011 Jackie Robinson Foundation Awards Gala - Dinner The 2011 Jackie Robinson Foundation Awards Gala - Dinner](https://api.time.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/bill-cosby-13.jpg?quality=75&w=2400)
![2011 Temple University Commencement 2011 Temple University Commencement](https://api.time.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/bill-cosby-14.jpg?quality=75&w=2400)
![2014 American Comedy Awards - Press Room 2014 American Comedy Awards - Press Room](https://api.time.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/bill-cosby-15.jpg?quality=75&w=2400)
Read next: Bill Cosby’s Youngest Daughter Defends Him Against Sex Assault Allegations
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Write to Tessa Berenson Rogers at [email protected]