Photo by Chelsea Lauren/REX/ShutterstockArianne Zucker is speaking out about the Donald Trump and Billy Bush conversation that continues to make front-page headlines.
In a post on social media, the Days of Our Lives star reacted to what she saw and heard in the footage.
"My name is Arianne (R-E-on) ZUCKER (Zooker) and I am a strong, independent, hard working mother, business woman and partner to a great man. I have grown to learn that the words of others cannot effect the value of my self worth or define the content of my character," she shared on Twitter Sunday afternoon. "How we treat one another, whether behind closed doors, locker rooms or face to face, should be done with kindness, dignity and respect."
She continued, "Unfortunately, there are too many people in power who abuse their position and disregard these simple principles and are rewarded for it. In understanding the magnitude of this situation, I choose to stand tall with self respect and use my voice to enrich, inspire and elevate the best of who we are as people."
The statement comes hours before Donald and Hillary Clinton will come together for the second presidential debate.
On Friday afternoon, the Washington Post obtained footage from 2005, which included audio of Billy and Donald using vulgar language while discussing women while riding on an Access Hollywood bus to the set of Days of Our Lives.
In the footage, Arianne meets the two men to film a segment. She was presumably unware that minutes before meeting them, the two men were commenting on her appearance.
"Your girl's hot as s--t. In the purple," Billy is overheard saying. Donald replied, "Yeah that's her with the gold. I better use some Tic Tacs just in case I start kissing her. You know I'm automatically attracted to beautiful... I just start kissing them. It's like a magnet. Just kiss. I don't even wait. And when you're a star they let you do it. You can do anything."
Since the footage was leaked, Billy has apologized for his behavior in the conversation. "Obviously I'm embarrassed and ashamed. It's no excuse, but this happened eleven years ago—I was younger, less mature, and acted foolishly in playing along. I'm very sorry," he said in a statement obtained by E! News.
Donald also released a statement and posted a video message on his social media Friday evening. "This was locker room banter, a private conversation that took place many years ago. Bill Clinton has said far worse to me on the golf course—not even close," he shared. "I apologize if anyone was offended."