Did Charlie Sheen Have an “Allergic Reaction” to the Truth?
Tags: celebrity public relations, celebrity scandal, Charlie Sheen, public relations best advice, public relations lessons from sex scandal
Charlie Sheen is back in the news again. Television’s highest paid actor was briefly hospitalized Tuesday after security at the Plaza Hotel called police to report he was disorderly and had broken furniture in his room, police said.
Major news outlets reported that Sheen appeared highly intoxicated when officers arrived to his room around 1:30 a.m., and a woman with him said they had been out drinking and partying that night, according to a law enforcement official. The Today Show reported that Sheen was found “naked and agitated” in his hotel room with a female escort who had locked herself in the suite’s bathroom. Damages to the hotel room were reported to be upwards of $20,000.
So how is Sheen managing this public relations nightmare? Well, Sheen’s publicist, Stan Rosenfield, issued a statement that the 45-year-old had an adverse allergic reaction to some medication. “Everything else is speculation,” Rosenfield said.
Really? What medication causes you to fly into a rage and break things? Is bashing in your television set a known drug side effect? The statement by Sheen’s publicist was laughable, disingenuous, and will ultimately be proven to be a lie. So Charlie, here’s a little free advice:
1. Tell the truth. When the photos of your trashed hotel room are about to appear on TMZ, your best bet is to get in front of the scandal is before the story breaks.
2. Take responsibility. First see #1 above. Then, take it like a man. When fans feel betrayed, they want an apology, not excuses or admonitions.
3. Don’t say that you’re going to focus on your family – unless you really plan to do it. Stay out of the media spotlight until your life is back in order than resurface as a rehabilitated family man.
4. Don’t use your ex-wife as your spokesperson. Sheen’s ex-wife, Denise Richards (who was across the hall in a hotel room with their two young daughters) appeared on the Today Show and in several other media outlets saying “I have a lot of faith in my ex.” Given Richard’s financial reliance on Sheen she surely has a vested interest in protecting his image.
5. Hope for another celebrity disaster. Cynical, yes, but the public loves a scandal. Sheen’s debacle will fade from memory once the next celebrity meltdown emerges to satiate the unending appetite for gossip.
summer dresses said:
Nov 02, 10 at 6:45 amMaybe he was confused and thought he was filming an episode of 2 1/2 men.
Come on people..give charlie a break!
Haven’t we all had an allergic reaction to medication before?
Sometimes you break out in hives…some times you break furniture in the nude.
Gregory Despain said:
Nov 23, 10 at 11:22 amThis is great stuff, thanks!