Filed under: Uncategorized | Tags: defamation, eva longoria parker affair, paressant affair, parker lawsuit, tony parker affair, X17online apology
In an apology statement somewhat buried in their Web site, X17online.com admitted on April 5, 2008 that almost a dozen stories concerning NBA star Tony Parker’s alleged affair with French model Alexandra Paressant were completely false. Whew.
The statement reads, “In December 2007, X17online.com published over ten articles concerning Tony Parker and a woman named Alexandra Paressant. Various articles asserted that, after Mr. Parker was introduced to Ms. Paressant by Thierry Henry at this wedding to Eva Longoria, Mr. Parker engaged in sexual relations with Ms. Paressant. Since the publication of these articles, X17online.com and X17, Inc. have discovered that Mr. Parker has never met with, or spoken to, Ms. Paressant nor has he ever had sexual relations with her. X17online.com and X17, Inc. regret having been misled by Ms. Paressant and her representatives and apologize to Mr. Parker for any damage or inconvenience this may have caused him or his wife.”
Paressant originally reported to the celebrity blog site that she and Parker met at the ceremony where he wed his current wife, Eva Longoria, in July 2007. The scandal started in December 2007, when Paressant claimed to have had several steamy sexual encounters with Parker in Paris and San Antonio, Texas following their introduction at the wedding.
These articles posed problems for Parker and Longoria, as they quickly resulted in a slew of coverage within the blogosphere that was then picked up by more prominent news outlets, such as E! Online. This scenario goes to show that a publicist must remain vigilant in monitoring the usually unofficial, opinionated blogs for information concerning his or her clients. By remaining aware of the chatter, a publicist heightens his or her chance of squashing inaccurate information in its infancy. Quick recognition allows for a quick response that can re-frame an issue in a more positive light and increase the amount of control both the publicist and client have of the topics being discussed.
Soon after Parker realized the situation, he repeatedly made statements denying all claims of an extra-marital affair. He did the right thing in responding to the public with his side of the story, as it was a proactive way to take control of the situation and dispel the rumors to prevent any further damage to his reputation.
The numerous celebrity coverage blogs would be wise to check their sources before publishing. X17online.com has now lost much credibility that will prove difficult to gain back. Inaccurate information has no place in journalism nor public relations, and no professional in either field can afford to work with entities they are even remotely unsure of.
X17online.com is now being sued by Parker for $40 million in damages for posting “false and defamatory” stories, proving just how valuable a reputation can be.
Filed under: Uncategorized | Tags: celebrity support, Jessica Simpson, Jessica simpson publicity, troop support
Jessica Simpson’s visit to U.S. troops stationed outside of Kuwait City finished with a three-hour performance that was broadcast live on MySpace. With all regards to the troops, Simpson said she was “signing autographs, meeting them, and showing all the support I can.”
Concerning this visit, which took place in early March 2008, Simpson’s publicist, Cindy Berger, rebutted reports that the young star was enjoying luxuries such as a private jet and large personal entourage while in Kuwait. “She flew commercially, she is staying in the barracks,” Berger tells PEOPLE. “She’s been with the troops all day. She’s had her meals with them.”
Berger adds that performing for the troops is a genuine desire of the Texas-born celebrity. “This was done purely to support the troops and entertain them.”
This is not Simpson’s first troop visit. She and then-husband Nick Lachey visited Ramstein Airforce Base in Germany as part of a USO-hosted tour in 2005.
Independent of Simpson’s intentions, appearances such as this one, especially when done voluntarily, serve to create positive attitudes of a celebrity in the minds of their fans and the general public.
The public generally enjoys stories of celebrities taken out of their impeccable A-list existence in order to get down and dirty with real people. This type of story is outside of the typically reported celebrity spending spree or “party like a rock star” coverage. As such, the public can see a real individual emerge from a celebrity’s A-list aura, someone with whom they can better identify with. Additionally, this meaningful and novel media coverage, more often than not, will rise above the clutter of a mundane, and I must say less impacting celebrity piece, such as this one entitled “Penelope Cruz Takes Dog to the Vet.”
Gen. William Tecumseh Sherman famously said “war is hell.” Relative to Simpson and similar entertainers though, troop presence in the Middle East is actually an opportunity for publicity, providing an audience to communicate with and plentiful media coverage. Additionally, Simpson captures this opportunity in a fairly benign manner. That is, she shows support for the troops by entertaining them without having risk her image to explicitly state her own feelings concerning the notorious war and its validity.
Simpson’s image conveys compassion through her actions and appreciation of her fans through her words; As Simpson recently posted on a fan site: “I love you all and am so blessed by the support and love you show me everyday!! xoxo Jess.” I predict she will continue to be admired not solely for her talents as a singer-actress, but for her refreshing commitment to others besides herself.
Highlights of her performance in Kuwait can be seen here.
Image may be found in it’s original context here.
