Apr 9, 2007 01:27 PM
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Hollywood, 4:39 AM
Tue Feb 9
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Recent, overly appreciative Walk of Fame honoree Halle Berry has some cross words for Parade, which she accuses of dredging up an old suicide story that she only grudgingly shares with the press each time she has a movie to promote for the purpose of helping other potential ticket-buyers women struggling with the same desperate thoughts:
"It wasn't my wish to go into all of that again in this time of my life. I talked about it on Larry King Live and Oprah when it was relevant, and I felt like it was important to help other women and share it with them. Back in the day, I did feel empowered when I told that story and I felt, 'This might help somebody because I survived it and I learned a lot.' "
But it's just not where I am today and I really hate that it's been presented like it is... I'm in such a great time in my life right now it wouldn't be my wish to really revisit that period, but this outlet did and made it seem as if it were current again. Because I have a movie out some magazine has sensationalized some old material and it's not something that I want to talk about. It's 10 years old and I'm so past it."
Parade, indignant that Berry would so publicly push them away as they tried to envelop her in their warm, celebrity-cuddling embrace, has issued a statement of its own claiming that they've got Berry on tape willingly exploring (yet again) that dark day from her past:
"All of the quotes in the April 1 PARADE profile on Halle Berry came from a candid sit-down interview between Ms. Berry and PARADE writer Emily Listfield on January 25, 2007. Ms. Berry talked very freely (on tape) about the challenges she has faced in her life, including her failed marriages and suicide attempt. It is unfortunate that Ms. Berry has chosen to respond to media interest by backing away from what she originally told PARADE. Anyone who actually read the article is sure to see it as a very positive profile of a strong woman who has overcome many challenges in her life and is now on a clear path to happiness."
Despite Parade's statement, we find it hard not to side with Berry in her attempts to stand up to the reputation-assassinating, bullying Sunday paper insert obviously desperate to steal away housewives' eyeballs from equally scandalous headlines (2 FOR 1 BRAWNY PAPER TOWELS COUPON SHOCKER!) in the competing Ralphs weekly specials circular. How could she know that the reporter holding that tape recorder intended to use the inspirational tale of how she overcame her demons to help promote her upcoming movie, and wasn't just saving it for her personal use should the scribe ever find herself the victim of persistent suicidal ideation? Such a breach of trust certainly imperils the possibility of Berry ever again sharing the uplifting story during a future publicity junket, depriving millions of women of the now-happy actress's many past experiences that could save their lives.
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