The administration of ACE School of Arts announced its resignation on Thursday due to the “recent public demonstrations and the debate generated” around the institution after actor António Capelo was accused of harassment by several young people. This development followed exclusive revelations earlier this week.
“The administration of ACE School of Arts announces that, following the recent public demonstrations and the debate generated around our institution, it has decided to resign,” a post on Instagram revealed.
The statement continued: “This decision stems from the belief that the current moment requires calmness, stability, and the protection of the mission and values that ACE School of Arts represents.”
The statement further expressed that “the school should remain above any controversy” and emphasized that creating a peaceful environment is essential for ensuring the smooth operation of the newly started academic year and “continuing work for the community we serve.”
“We thank all our teachers, staff, partners, collaborators, and community members for their dedication to this unique educational and artistic project, which has been around for 35 years,” the statement added.
What’s at Stake?
Actor António Capelo is accused by several young individuals, including former students, of harassment. The alleged behaviors reportedly occurred over several years. The artist insists that his displays of affection had no inappropriate purpose. The Left Bloc party confirms receiving a complaint involving “very serious acts” committed by the former mandate holder.
“Are you gay?”, “lack of sex,” and “do you want to come?” are some of the alleged messages the well-known 69-year-old actor sent to various young people through social media over the years, and were widely shared by several activists on Instagram last week.
Screenshots now made public illustrate the persistent nature of these messages, which were sent even without a response, sometimes at intervals of hours, days, weeks, months, or years. Many messages were non-sexual, but most were consistently insistent.
A young person shared with a media outlet messages dating back to 2017 when he was in his early twenties, such as “You can come to have lunch at Paço de Arcos, I’m inviting,” sent shortly after approaching the individual via Facebook.
Considering this invitation improper, the young person ceased responding. However, the messages continued the next day, two days later, three, and so on, always without any reply.
Yet, more reports emerged. The artist’s approaches reportedly extended beyond screens, with some accounts alleging classroom harassment at the ACE School of Arts – Teatro do Bolhão, leading students to bet on “who would be chosen this year” with each passing year.
Actor António Capelo faces allegations from several young people, including former students, of harassment. Reportedly, these behaviors occurred over years. The artist insists his affectionate gestures lacked inappropriate intent. The Left Bloc party confirms receiving a complaint of “very serious acts” allegedly committed by the former mandate holder.
Natacha Nunes Costa | 18:57 – 09/09/2025
Capelo Asserts: “Gestures of affection never had any other purpose”
Confronted with these allegations, António Capelo stated through his lawyer that he filed a “criminal complaint against an anonymous Instagram page,” currently awaiting “developments.”
The actor provided further explanations in a comment, sent by email, expressing that he had been “subjected to anonymous defamatory accusations” that challenged his “honor, professional life, and even private life.”
“I do not align with practices of anonymous denouncement or public lynchings that do not contribute to justice or truth,” he stressed, adding the accusations are “serious and completely distorted from reality.”
“My conduct has always been marked by professional rigor, respect, and care for students. Gestures of closeness, affection, or support — such as hugs, book loans, shared meals, or hosting in times of need — never had any other purpose but to educate, support, and train human beings and professionals,” he assured in the statement.
For these reasons, he reaffirms his “faith in truth and justice,” having already filed a criminal complaint “for defamation against those who claim to hold the truth.”
“With serenity and firmness, I will continue to defend my honor, reputation, and image and the values that have always guided my life, as well as the dignity of the institution,” he concludes.
Suppressed Harassment? ACE Denies Accusations
According to reports, ACE was contacted, as many students in their accusations against António Capelo claimed that the school “is not only complicit but actively involved” in the harassment situations, with several attempts made to lodge complaints against the former artistic director allegedly “ignored.” “Suppressed culture of harassment,” one testimony accuses.
Facing these allegations, ACE assured that no official complaint was received regarding António Capelo’s behavior.
“There were no complaints filed with any self-assessment tools or educational control bodies of the school against this former professor. Not with those in the ‘network’ of professionals who frame the daily school life and are directly in contact with the students, such as class tutors, course directors, or the educational director, nor in the anonymous individual teacher evaluation surveys conducted by the school annually since 2011. Similarly, no such complaints appeared in the anonymous surveys by the Internal Assessment Commission in 2023/24 or in surveys conducted by the Student Association in 2021.”
[Updated at 18:30]
