That Piece on Why Charlie Sheen is no Hero for his HIV Admission
Originally published on madamenoire.com
On Tuesday morning, Charlie Sheen went on The Today Show and revealed to the world that he is HIV positive. During the in-depth interview, Matt Lauer confronted Charlie Sheen about extremely personal matters in his private life. Not only was his HIV status disclosed, but Sheen also answered questions about his diagnosis, his bank account, his revolving door of past prostitute companions, and how he revealed his status to his former wife Denise Richards and his family. Even his doctor got in on the action (with Sheen’s approval), divulging his health info while Lauer chimed in about whether or not Sheen could be trusted actually to take his medication. It was uncomfortable, invasive and easily one of the most exploitative interviews I’ve seen in years. But at the end of the day, Charlie Sheen approved every single question that came from Lauer’s mouth.
None of his admissions are shocking. But what did shock me was reading the angle that some publications were taking on the matter: They were actually calling Charlie Sheen brave for his admission, and many were sympathetic toward him and his story. I don’t think there was anything brave about what Sheen did. It was all self-serving, like most of Sheen’s controversies.
Sheen is no stranger to controversy or exploiting the public for attention. He has been in and out of trouble for decades; the long-reigning Hollywood king of second, third, fourth, and fifth chances. From accidentally shooting his fiancée in the arm to serious substance abuse and alcohol issues and dating porn stars and prostitutes, Sheen has been upfront about every single one of his digressions and the public has welcomed him time and again, an opportunity very few people, let alone celebrities, get.
After publicly dissing his boss and co-workers in 2011, he was fired from his million-dollar-an-episode gig on Two and a Half Men and went rogue. He had a meltdown where he publicly showed off multiple girlfriends that he called “goddesses,” said he had “Adonis DNA” and was “winning.” He even went on a tour, ‘My Violent Torpedo of Truth/Defeat is Not An Option’ where he was able to share his rants. The tour sold out in minutes.
And a year later, he found himself with another high-profile job, bad behavior be damned. He starred in Anger Management on FX, which ran for 100 episodes. Charlie Sheen really was winning.
Or at least it seemed like it. Around that time, he was diagnosed with HIV and quickly discovered that the company he kept was toxic, which led him to tell all his business to Matt Lauer.
Four years later, he is insisting that he is under attack and he just wants to share his truth. It’s a great plea. However, Charlie Sheen has not proven himself to be anything but a victim of White privilege. His PR team has been top notch and they undoubtedly held the puppet strings in Sheen’s big interview, especially when Sheen used his children, whom he claimed blackmailers were really taking his millions from, as a reason for the public to pity him:
“What people forget is that that’s money they’re taking from my children. I trusted them and they were deep in my inner circle, and I thought they could be helpful. My trust turned to their treason.”
Pretty low to use his kids to gain the public’s pity. Especially when ex-wife Denise Richards, whom he has publicly disrespected many times, had full custody of the four young children he has (including their two daughters and his sons from another relationship) while he lived recklessly. Last year, ex-wife Brooke Mueller was granted full custody of her twin boys with Sheen.
The truth of the matter is that Charlie Sheen is a reckless man who is suffering from more than just a slew of health conditions. He is using this as a moment for yet another chance. He didn’t come out to help others who share his diagnosis, but rather, he came out to save face and money.
I do want Sheen to receive all the help that he needs in the coming years to keep his condition under control. May he continue to have success in fighting his HIV. But I just think it’s best to be honest: Charlie Sheen is many things, brave is not one of them.
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12 Comments
ken
November 21, 05:47Whenever I listen/read people criticisizing Charlie’s honesty, all I can pray is that the good lord afflict them with similar circumstance/disease as a way of practical teaching on the need to STFU
Pink Panther
November 21, 05:50LOL. I had you in mind as I drafted this post. I knew you’d come out with your guns blazing, no matter how early in the morning it may be.
And the Good Lord doesn’t listen to such prayers biko. lol
ken
November 21, 06:51PP if I catch u ehn!
Lol
Pink Panther
November 21, 06:56Heheheheee 😛
Mandy
November 21, 05:58His honesty was not what the writer was calling into question though.
Dennis Macaulay
November 21, 05:54**Inserts very long hiss**
People can like to play judge judy over other people’s lives. So dating a porn star is now a digression? I cannot stand the bile that is in this article. Charlie made poor choices in the past? Well yes and so have ALL of us before, that is a core component of our humanity! The fact that we are flawed.
Did he reveal this to make money and create buzz? In my opinion its NO! I believe he got tired of paying to hide it and he had to spill. Plus I heard a major tabloid was going to spill every detail so he went ahead of them.
This man has made mistakes he has even gotten burnt and he is dealing with his pain, Awon saints and judges of the world please let him live.
I like that HIV has another high profile face, it will help. The only problem I will have is if he doesn’t use his star power to create awareness on issues centred around HIV.
This time I believe in second chances (blows kisses to PP)
Dubem
November 21, 05:57‘The only problem I will have is if he doesn’t use his star power to create awareness on issues centred around HIV.’
That right there is the bedrock of my argument on the former Charlie Sheen post. Before his soldiers came after me and started mouthing off ridiculous comments about how I was comparing myself to him. *smh*
Pink Panther
November 21, 06:00Mschhheeewwww! This your belief in second chances that you’re just handing out like UN relief at a refugee camp… Hmmph.
Duke
November 21, 09:36Charlie Sheen is the leopard that never changes its spots. I agree with the writer, Charlie has one of the strongest PR team. His misfortunes and mistakes are easily turned to gold spinners. If this is indeed the end of a riotous Charlie, I am happy for him. If not, which is most likely, then I see books and sold out shows. Hollywood has a thirst for bad guys and he wears the crown.
Delle
November 21, 09:45My thoughts exactly! Charlie Sheen is just an attention-seeking whore. I’m not glad he got the virus or anything, but this guy has a way of making any situation he finds himself an avenue for popularity. Like Michelle Visage would say, IT’S GETTING OLD!
This is exactly what Sheen wants; 5 posts about him on Kitodiaries in one week! Wow, what more could he possibly ask for? Maybe he should go back to his drawing board and get tips on ‘How To Pull A Good Publicity Stunt.’ You shouldn’t always be the villain!
*stomping away on stilettos*
Chizzie
November 21, 11:09White privilege kwa? I didn’t see that coming.
Isn’t this Madamenoire a black site? And trust the average African American to pin everything to race. I suppose Magic Johnson should blame society’s acceptance of his status especially at a time where HIV was more or less a death sentence ,on black privilege too?
Regardless of what ever point was made, they lost me at “white privilege.. “
Eddie
November 21, 17:45Hmmmmmmm