On Nov. 17, 2010, “Desperate Housewives” star Eva Longoria filed for divorce after three years of marriage to San Antonio Spurs point guard Tony Parker. Reportedly, Longoria discovered that Parker was having an affair with his former San Antonio teammate’s ex- wife through a serious of text messages. The alleged mistress is Erin Berry, wife of former San Antonio Spur Brent Barry. Incidentally, Brent Barry filed for divorce from his wife Erin just days before Halloween. It has also been reported that Longoria had discovered in excess of over 100 text messages in one month between Parker and Erin Berry.
The break-up of Eva Longoria and Tony Parker is not the first one to enter a very public scandal as a result of modern technology. Last year, arguably the world’s most popular and dominant athlete, Tiger Woods, found himself in the middle of one of the biggest celebrity infidelity stories of all time. Reportedly, Woods’ wife Elin Nordegren went through his cell phone and discovered numerous phone calls and text messages to 24-year-old Los Angeles cocktail waitress Jaimee Grubbs. In the weeks and months following, several more alleged mistresses came public and caused one of the most chaotic divorce scandals in history. The story ended with the couple getting a divorce and Tiger paying out as much as a reported $750 million as part of the divorce settlement.
Earlier this year, actress Sandra Bullock was enjoying the most successful year of her acting career. She had just come off of a blockbuster big hit in “The Proposal” and was nominated and ultimately won the Oscar for Best Actress for her role in “The Blind Side.” Bullock’s next starring role was not one she wanted. A tabloid newspaper reported that her husband, reality TV star Jesse James, was having an affair with model and reported porn star Michelle “Bombshell” McGee. McGee later came out with over a year’s worth of text messages supporting that there was an affair. Prior to the tabloid reports, Bullock was “blissfully unaware” that there were any marital problems in her home.
Just a few months ago, Minnesota Vikings quarterback and future NFL Hall of Fame inductee Brett Favre also found out that technology can come back to haunt you. While playing for New York Jets two years ago, Favre allegedly sent various inappropriate text and picture messages to then-Jets employee Jenn Sturger. The NFL has launched an ongoing investigation to the allegations that has included meetings with Favre, current and former Jets employees, as well as Sterger and her attorneys. Brett’s wife, Deanna Favre, with whom Favre has been with since his college days at the University of Southern Mississippi, has been quiet on the matter and may be waiting on the results of the investigation.
Celebrities need to understand that the world of today has a digital footprint and almost anything you do using cell phones and computers can be regenerated to come back to haunt you. Furthermore, it would be a good idea for them to remember that they are constantly under the ever-watchful eye of the modern press better known as paparazzi. Of all the lessons learned, this may be the best one of all: Don’t get married until you’re absolutely ready. If you’re going to cheat, stay single!
