Except entertainers generally want to be successful entertainers, and image is all apart of the package. Sure, they want to maintain a certain mystique and don't want to be dissected, but they very much want to project an image that will strengthen their appeal to the public. They hire publicist to build it and SAFEGUARD it.
If these kinds of tapes had been heard earlier in Mel's career, he never would have achieved the kind of popularity he enjoys today or at least would not have the kind of across the board respect he had enjoyed. Granted he'd already had some serious mess ups, but by and large, he was still generally respected and liked.
I agree the tapes need to stop. But this is really a war now between Mel and his girlfriend. Mel definitely would have had the upperhand in a "he said, she said" showdown in a judicial court and the court of public opinion. Paul McCartney's ex Heather was seen as an opportunistic shrew and is seen as a bigger one now, while Paul is still very much viewed as a saint. We don't really know which is which in the McCartney case, but with Mel and his ex, we definitely are seeing there are two sides.
Is it our business? It shouldn't be, but Mel is a public figure, and she became one by becoming his girlfirend. There's no way their breakup would not be public fodder. The tapes have leveled the playing field for the girlfriend. It's no surprise she'd get them out there (despite her denials). She'll still have to navigate her way through the public arena after all is said and done, just as Heather does. I can just imagine the kind of hate mail Heather got.
And as far as the media ending playing the tapes and therefore not feeding into this wargame, I've got two words to remind us of all of their values and how responsible they are. Michael Jackson.
