Sandra Bullock Surfaces Sans Wedding Ring

By PopEater Staff Posted Apr 20th 2010 07:38AM

Sandra Bullock has kept a low profile since her husband's sex scandal erupted in March. In the first clear photograph taken of the Oscar-winning actress since Jesse James' infidelity was made public, Bullock is seen hiking in Northern California without her wedding ring. The photo will be featured on Tuesday night's broadcast of 'Entertainment Tonight,' with ET reporting that Bullock "looked somber despite the occasional smile, wearing barely any makeup" or the vintage platinum ring she's possessed since her marriage to James in 2005.

"She is devastated but being methodical and trying to make the right decision about what to do next," a friend of the actress says in the latest issue of Us Weekly. "She's reading a lot of scripts, because it takes her mind off everything. She just wants to get on with the next phase of her life."

The hike is Bullock's only recent public appearance. The actress was last spotted in late March, heading to the home of a supportive friend.

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According to the New York Post, Bullock's lone post-scandal appearance wasn't exactly impromptu. The paper claims that Bullock -- rather than be assaulted by hordes of ambitious paparazzi all looking for the big reveal shot -- worked out a deal with the reputable Getty Images photo agency for sole rights to the photos. While there's no word if or how much Getty paid Bullock for the photos, the Post reports that 'ET' coughed up $60,000 for exclusive rights to the pictures.

This wouldn't be the first time that Getty has had their hand in post-scandal photos. They were also the exclusive agency when Elin Nordegren, Tiger Woods' wife, stepped out for the first time.

For the Getty photos, Bullock left her Hollywood Hills home to visit friend Gabriel Brener, who is also financial backer of her production company, according to Radaronline.com. Brener is an investor in Fortis Films, which has produced Bullock movies such as 'Hope Floats.'

It was a brief visit before Bullock, surrounded by security and wearing a big black hat to keep the prying eyes of paparazzi away, returned home in her Mercedes.

Meanwhile, the Web site reports that Bullock's husband Jesse James will stay in treatment for weeks to come.

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Sandra Bullock Snapshots

It's hard to catch a Sandra Bullock sighting in the aftermath of her husband's sex scandal. See pics of the beautiful starlet >>

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