When the story about Jesse James’s affair surfaced, the media left Bullock’s side out of the story. Bullock has yet to release an official statement and in my opinion the backlash is about to begin. US magazine reported that a source says that Bullock would have stayed with James if the cheating scandal would not have been public. If the media had not been involved, it would have been a private matter and they would have worked it out. The following are my observations.
• Bullock’s public image is her number one priority.
• Bullock has worked hard to secure her “America’s Sweetheart” image and does not want to do anything to jeopardize that.
• Maybe the rumors of their “arranged” marriage are valid.
These observations may prove to be complications for Bullock in the following weeks. As a public relations professional, I think Bullock needs to deny these allegations because if she does not do so, the media may turn on her. I previously mentioned that she established her public image very well and the media has not pressured her to reveal anything about the affair or her future plans. This is quickly changing because although the media has portrayed James as “the bad guy”, Bullock has yet to really stand up for herself. The media quickly gets tired of no response and will not let the story go until she makes an official statement.
The only news from Bullock was her remarks to People magazine about the absence of a sex tape. This was unusual because it would lead one to assume that she is absolutely certain that nothing will surface. The media was confused and did not understand why this statement was made. Bullock’s reps declined to comment. This was a mistake because she is now purposely distancing herself from the media. When the scandal began, the media was giving her space but now they feel they want more from Bullock and she is not delivering.
The information that is beginning to surface suggests that Bullock will divorce James to save her public image. This could lead one to assume that their marriage was “arranged” for publicity and now that the affair is public she must do what “Sandra Bullock” would do. Her public relations team has worked hard to secure her public image as “America’s Sweetheart” and they do not want to do anything to jeopardize that. The allegations that have surfaced need to be denied in order to validate her image.
Bullock’s public relations team needs to formulate a plan quickly because if she does not release a statement soon, the media will begin to pressure her by trying to find personal information to possibly hurt Bullock or her career. This often happens when a public relations professional waits too long to issue a statement. The PR was spot on in the beginning by waiting but now is the time to issue a statement and if they wait any longer it will be a disaster.
TMZ posted a photo online of Melissa Smith, one of James’s mistresses, wearing a “Team Sandra” t-shirt. This seems fitting of Bullock’s image but no one really knows what “Team Sandra” consists of until she makes an official statement. I would gladly like to say I’m a part of “Team Sandra” but I am waiting to find out what that team stands for.
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