TLC Defends 'Trading Spaces' Star Amid Sexual Assault Allegations

TLC is standing by Trading Spaces star Carter Oosterhouse, who has been accused of inappropriate behavior by a former co-worker.

Nancy Daniels, TLC president and general manager, said the network had looked into allegations that Oosterhouse had coerced his makeup artist on his HGTV show Carter Can into performing oral sex during production of the show, according to The Hollywood Reporter.

"We did look into the allegations. We also looked into everything that we did throughout our production on this [run] of Trading Spaces, and we take it all very seriously," Daniels told reporters during a Television Critics Association panel for the show Friday. "At the end of the day, we feel very comfortable continuing with Carter in the show."

According to Variety, Oosterhouse was scheduled to be on the panel for the show, but did not appear.

Oosterhouse acknowledged that he was in a relationship with makeup artist Kailey Kaminsky, but denied any coercion.

Oosterhouse's wife, Amy Smart, defended him when the news first broke in a lengthy post on Instagram.

The accusations are "taking it too far and boundaries are being crossed," she wrote. "When you are in a CONSENSUAL RELATIONSHIP, then you need to take responsibility for engaging in that and not play victim... The article is very damaging and cruel to one of the most kindest, loving, non-aggressive men I have the privilege of knowing and I am so sorry for these salacious words being thrown around, they are extremely hurtful. This type of reporting needs to stop, it's so damaging for personal lives and careers and just not fair."

We are in a climate right now where it’s so wonderful and needed to have women coming forward to break their silence; it is vital and important for female equality. Period. A lot of the stories are horrific and need to be brought to light. This story, about my husband, Carter Oosterhouse, on the other hand, is now taking it too far and boundaries are being crossed. When you are in a CONSENSUAL RELATIONSHIP, then you need to take responsibility for engaging in that and not play victim. IF a relationship does not work out the way you want it to, then sorry, but that is the risk you take when getting intimate with another person. There are plenty of relationships I wish I could go back and make different choices about, but it was on me to decide. We need to take responsibility and learn from our mistakes and choices. Women are powerful and we need to be reminded of the strength and power we hold and learn ways to take care of ourselves so we don’t find ourselves saying yes when we really need to say no. The article is very damaging and cruel to one of the most kindest, loving, non-aggressive men I have the privilege of knowing and I am so sorry for these salacious words being thrown around, they are extremely hurtful. This type of reporting needs to stop, it’s so damaging for personal lives and careers and just not fair. Enough is enough, this is a plea to the writers, outlets and media…More due diligence needs to be done before crafting headlines and stories. Have discernment when you tell a story and please consider the source and story before just printing anything to get readers and viewers. #lovethesetwo

A post shared by amy smart (@smarthouse26) on Dec 16, 2017 at 12:07pm PST

Trading Spaces is expected to return with a new season this spring on TLC.