Don’t Pity Sandra Bullock!
We love you, girlfriend! You’re too good for pity.
-April Daniels Hussar
Dear Sandra Bullock,
We haven’t met, and chances are we never will. But, on behalf of my fellow Bettys, I just wanted to say … WE LOVE YOU. This has probably been one of the crappiest weeks of your life. You should be basking in the glow of your Oscar win, jetting across the pond to show up and look stunning as always at the UK premiere of The Blind Side, and enjoying the fruits of your years of hard work with your family. Instead, you’ve been dealt a metaphorical kick to the gut, what by all accounts must be a terrible heartbreak. You’re faced with photos of that woman splashed over every website, newspaper, tabloid and TV station, along with all the speculation about your husband’s betrayal.
As a woman, I empathize. Most of us have been there, in some way or another. But not in such a horribly public way, and, to put it mildly, that must really, really suck. But lady, you don’t have my pity. You know why? Because you are too good for my pity. You are above it. This private heartache – it’s nothing compared to the inspiring person that you are.
No, we haven’t ever met, but in this weird day and age of celebrity, I feel like I know at least enough about you to see you’re a beautiful, smart, talented woman, with passion, strength and a drive to succeed matched by a big old heart. Most of all, Ms. Bullock, you have class. You present yourself to the world as a woman of character. You’re someone those of us with daughters can point to as a role model – a successful, smart, generous (don’t think anyone has forgotten that million dollars to the tsunami victims, or how you advocate for your step-daughter, or all that money you’ve given New Orleans and Haiti and other worthy causes) woman with a killer sense of humor who is making her life on her own terms.
We loved you in Miss Congeniality, you had us on the edges of our seats in Speed, and we cheered for you just a few weeks ago on Oscar night (and at least one of us who shall, ahem, remain nameless got all teary for you). And speaking of awards … you accepted a Razzie the night before you won an Academy Award! If that’s not a lesson on how to go through life with grace and humor, then we don’t know what is.
So, whatever happens, whatever choices you make in your personal life, whatever transgressions have been committed against you … they are a tiny blip on the screen of who YOU are, and how we look at you. You’re still the same Sandra Bullock we all know and love – and think DAMN I can’t believe she’s 45!
You’re someone I can imagine being friends with, drinking homemade margaritas with our feet up on the coffee table. And you’re someone I’d bring Ben and Jerry’s in a time of need. I’d bring red wine, chocolate, tissues … whatever you needed. I’d bring my sympathy and friendship — but not my pity. Because that is one thing you don’t deserve.
April Daniels Hussar is BettyConfidential’s Deputy Editor.