Why Was the Ringless Sandra Bullock Photo Worth So Much Money?

By Jo Piazza Posted Apr 21st 2010 11:02AM

It's rare for a paparazzi shot to be sold for five figures these days. But the first pics of Sandra Bullock spotted without her wedding ring sold for nearly $100,000 this week to entertainment news show Entertainment Tonight.

The picture shows Bullock on a hike in northern California with no makeup, smiling and sipping coffee. Most notable is the bare finger on her left hand -- no wedding ring.

On Saturday, photo agency Getty Images put out a call to magazines and television outlets to submit their bids for these exclusive first pics. Bids skyrocketed within an hour. Most magazines dropped out when the bids reached $75,000, one mag insider tells PopEater (contrary to reports that ET nabbed the pics for $60K).
Celebenomics

It's been a while since a grainy pap shot sold for so much. These aren't the halcyon heydays of $500,000 Brad and Angie pics, after all. The paparazzi bubble burst years ago, so why are these snaps so worthy of cash?

"It is the first picture. Everyone wants to see how she is doing, and this is the first time you've seen her since the incident other than that crappy picture of her all covered up. We saw the same thing with Tiger except that photo didn't go to auction, it was released by Tiger's camp," one mag insider explained.

But was this shot a set-up, an indication from Sandra to her fans that she is doing alright and staying strong? You always have to wonder how she made it out of the house without the paparazzi getting a picture of her getting into her car. But where there is a will there's a way. Sandy could have left late at night and camped out at a friend's place until she was ready for her close-up.

"I don't think Sandra's first photos were a PR stunt, but that could be because I may be a little naïve to think that 'America's Sweetheart' would care to drum up a stunt considering the delicate nature of events. However, I do believe she wanted to allow photos of herself to indeed show the world and her fans that she really is OK. Trust me, when Sandra is ready for the media to hear her side, she'll have more than enough options to choose from -- an easy ride for any PR person or team in my humble opinion," explains Spinmeister Tamika Morrison of TWS Marketing Communications.

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Comments

(9)

Wednesday 21 April

By CES

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She did look in the pictures like she is trying hard to remain strong...though she does look like she's had a rough go lately. And, being all bundled up the way she was seemed like a protection thing to me, rather than just bundling up from the cold. But what I don't understand is why not one news outlet has mentioned that she clearly has a black eye ...one that looks like it's been on the mend for awhile... almost gone but still visible. Which could explain why she's stayed so reclusive for over a month. People would obviously speculate that Jesse gave it to her during a knock down drag out the day she confronted him with his infidelity and moved out of thier home, but that may not be the case. She has admitted before that she has a tendancy to clumbsiness. She once ran into the wing of a plane and ended up with a black eye ...so who knows how she got it, but you know what people would say... so it could be she's been laying low partly due to that. Ya think?

By P. Taylor

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I can't understand how anyone would be surprised that she "didn't" have a ring on. Would you still have yours on after finding out that the person you thought "had your back" was doing what he did behind your back?

By Frank

Hey Jesse ur a looser, and always will, had the oportunity of a lifetime and u used the wrong head to think with...

By Mike

Why? Cause some idiot paid big bucks for a meaningless, "who cares" shot.

By MARGE HAPPENS

When Sandra was sneaking around with JESSE when he was still in a marriage with a very prego wife at home - Did JESSE have his ring on ?

By jmslotnick

I am so disgusted with the paparazzi and the media in general. Why can't let Sandra Bullock alone? She is and has been going though a living hell because of her husbands infidelity and this is a personal and private thing and she happens to be a personal and private person, so leave her the devil alone... Her ring is off, so what. It is her decision so just let it be.
Hang in there Sandra, you have a lot of fans and people behind you. You are loved......

By Tiffany

I am happily married and jhave been for a while. I went an entire month without wearing my wedding band on my finger.......because I broke it! But I have also went to the gym and worked out without my ring. If you really love someone it's not about the ring.

By DR

You young people out there take note of all the mistakes us older ones have made and do better with your relationships. When a man and woman is put together, make it for life or you will regret it. It is so nice to have someone to grow old with; someone who will be there always for you. Take as much care with your mate as you do with anything else in your life: car, home, investments, job, family, etc. It's an investment and one that will pay huge dividends.....trust me. And pray when days are good and when things don't seem to be going right. Never underestimate the power of prayer.

Thursday 22 April

By garmstr

Who cares?! I take my wedding rings off all the time! I've been married 14 years and no one questions me about divorce each time I'm seen without them. It means nothing!

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