I thought since we’re celebrating Valentine’s Day that I would comment on the way public figures not only use the media to promote their careers, but also to manipulate their love lives.  Both can be very effective, yet, my post today is to help educate publicists to counsel your clients not to use the media in this matter.  Case in point – The John Edwards/Elizabeth Edwards/Rielle Hunter/Andrew Young debacle. Ugh. What a mess.

How Very Sad That This Family's Life is Being Played out in the Press

Granted relationships are hard for everyone – and as such, there are times public figures need to comment on arrests, etc. if a heated discussion happens ( a la Charlie Sheen).  The Sheen problems, I believe are being handled well. They are trying to keep as much private as possible and that’s good. They are not using the press to harm the other side at this point.

But, the Edwards situation I simply do not understand.  I don’t know who’s handling their brands and with so much personal info publicly known thanks to Young’s book, I don’t know if they can ever rub the tarnish off the family silver so to speak.  The damage has been done and there’s not one side that is looking good at this point.

I first was going to write that I felt for Elizabeth and I do, but she is just as much a PR heavy-hitter as the others.  She just filed a lawsuit against Young saying he allegedly aided in causing their marriage to end.  Elizabeth should be mad and feel hurt and betrayed.  But, she needs to heal on her own and get the support she needs privately.  She doesn’t need to be in the spotlight now. She needs to let go and realize she’s better than the man she married.

John, on the other hand, why did he have to leak to the press that he is engaged to his mistress and mother of daughter Quinn?  And it happened days after Elizabeth announced their legal separation. What  a creep. Why couldn’t he have waited. Did he do that just to hurt Elizabeth?

I could go on and on about this bad separation.  If you Google this situation you won’t believe what comes up – sex tapes, voice mails, altercations in bathrooms, threats of suicide, lies, special phone numbers – all so very sad.  And this from a man who thought he’d make for a great U.S. President.  He can’t even handle being the head of his house.

I am going to stop paying attention to this embarrassment and I wish the press could too. Some one has to stop them from using the press to get digs into the other.  We all don’t need to know anymore details.  Can the rest be played out privately?  Where’s the love?

Should Jennifer Take Him Back?

Speaking of love – I was at the grocery store this week and I saw on the gossip rags that Jennifer Aniston wants to take Brad Pitt back.  I do understand having your heartbroken by your one true love. I know what is it like being abandoned from the love of your life.  But, I also know that if that man walks away from you…then he’s not worthy of you.  She shouldn’t take him back.  She did nothing wrong for him to leave her in the first place.  And she needs to remember that.  But, I hope for her sake and Brad’s sake…that they keep things private.

Remember keeping things private is the best PR advice you give your clients for personal matters.  The media will get upset, but, they will always be there for you if you have news to deliver.

Happy Valentine’s Day!