Rielle Hunter won't win any Miss Congeniality awards any time soon. This morning, Senator John Edwards' ex mistress dropped by "The View" to hawk her book and tell her story... again. She was sassy, outspoken, and unapologetic.
For those who missed it, Rielle was one half of an affair with ex-presidential hopeful Edwards. After approaching him with the Paris Hilton-worthy line, "You're hot," the two carried on an illicit relationship resulting in a daughter. To make this into the perfect media storm one must consider that Edwards' (publicly) loving wife Elizabeth Edwards had terminal cancer.
In recent times, Edwards was acquitted on charges of misappropriating funds in regards to his affair and subsequent cover up. His wife Elizabeth died in 2010. Just last week, photos were released of "Johnny" and Rielle looking like a loving family with their beautiful daughter, Quinn. Rielle talked of the couple's unity on "20/20."
Things change quickly.
Rielle sang an entirely different song today on "The View." Her new memoir is entitled, 'What Really Happened." She reveals in the book that J.E. brought her to his family's Georgetown home. She also says that the sex tape was his idea. Joy Behar asked her if she wasn't secretly asking to be caught by leaving the tape lying around. Hunter indicated that their affair cover up co-conspirator, Andrew Young, had to rifle through her private things to find it.
All around, Rielle's appearance on the morning coffee clutch amounted to a royal thrashing. Whoopi Goldberg and Barbara Walters were especially vigorous about trying to hammer Rielle on her culpability. Rielle's deadpan response? "I'm a mom. Not a mistress."
It made sense that Sherri Shepherd, whose first marriage was ripped apart by adultery, would be disgusted by Rielle. For Elisabeth Hasselbeck, a wife and mom, the blame game also fits. One might wonder why Whoopi, who has admitted to a scandalous past, and Ms. Walters, who also had an affair with a senator, came across as angry and judgmental toward Rielle.
The difference is that even after all of this time, Hunter seems to accept no responsibility. She feels that Elizabeth Edwards neglected her husband so she's at fault. Edwards had other mistresses so it's his fault. Where's the self-awareness?
Rielle Hunter seemed to take pleasure in the conversation about her affair. We all make mistakes. That's part of life. Owning up to them and learning lessons is a necessary part of adulthood. As a self-proclaimed "spiritual seeker," Rielle projects no sense of growth or evolution.
This interview was painful to watch, and we're guessing that the tell-all book must be equally painful to read.
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