How Sandra Bullock Kept Her Biggest Secret

By Jo Piazza Posted Apr 28th 2010 12:45PM

We media scoundrels think we're know-it-alls. But Sandra Bullock proved us wrong this week when the actress we have all been paying so much attention to for the past month appeared on the cover of PEOPLE magazine with her new baby boy Louis Bardo Bullock -- who she adopted in January. Yeah, do the math. That's three months ago!

With all the scrutiny surrounding Sandy's marriage, how did we possibly miss such a monumental event in the actress' life. We who can spot a baby bump from a mile away? Well, this just proves that no matter how well we think we know our celebrities, our insight into their lives is often strictly limited by what they want us to know.

"Obviously Sandra Bullock has a very tight circle around her of family and friends," explains Hollywood Life senior reporter Corynne Steindler. "Everyone assumed she was hiding out because of the humiliation Jesse James brought upon her, so I don't think anyone imagined there was another reason for her secrecy! A new baby is such a happy thing, and now we all know that she wasn't being ashamed or hiding out in embarrassment -- she was a mother protecting her newborn."

Adoption documents are obviously kept private, but the paper trail to maintain a secret this big had to be a long one. Sandra had been working on this adoption for four years, and yet no one who dissects such things was any the wiser. That means that nearly everyone around her is fiercely loyal and that some of the folks involved obviously signed serious confidentiality agreements.

"She most likely had all parties involved sign non-disclosures that probably carried with it a hefty dollar amount if any information was revealed. She may have also used a fake name, as many stars do like when they travel and stay in hotels, for example," explains 'Cult of Celebrity' author Cooper Lawrence.

Then, there's the divorce filing, which is generally public record and free for every person -- and news agency -- to peruse. Bullock kept the tabloids and bloggers off her back by going rogue, in a sense, adding a bit of mystery to her divorce filings.

In the papers, which TMZ has, Bullock uses her initials (backwards, too) "B.A.S" instead of a name for herself, and also refers to Jesse under his initials, "J.G.J." Strangely, the document also states that "there is no child under eighteen years of age or otherwise entitled to support who was born or adopted of this marriage and none is expected."

The story has had magazine editors shaking their heads all morning. I spoke to one who was unable to stop yelling, "What the F!" There have been paparazzi on Sandra's behind since the lead-in to Oscar season and more so after Jesse James' indiscretions were made public. You can bet those paps were trying desperately to shoot inside her house and her backyard! Stars can't protect themselves from most things, but like a lion will do anything for its cubs, a mama can find ways to shield her baby from the tabloids.

"A woman can't always protect herself from her husband's Nazi-loving girlfriends, but she can protect the sanctity of the bond with her child, particularly at such an important, formative moment of their relationship," explains Katherine Rosman, author of the memoir 'If You Knew Suzy,' which is about her own bond with her late mother.

Read: One Editor Who's Been in Sandra's Shoes

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Tags: jesse james, sandra bullock

Comments

(107)

Wednesday 28 April

By gary

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Very good and refreshing to see Sandra doing and maintaining her dignity and not playing it out in the press. I am a huge Fan of hers and have been for a number of years and I wish her all the best and we Know she will make a great Mother and what a lucky little boy to have her as a Mother.

By blueEKOS

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and now u guys writing this story and making it not so private. on one hand ur saying that she kept everything private yet on the other hand it is u who is spreading her private matters?

Monday 19 July

By ELMER 1946

CONGRADS SANDRA WISH YOU THE BEST.NEED A BABY SITTER.

By Anne

Kudos for Sandra!!!

By BMGSRBEAR

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LEARN HOW TO SPELL,STUPID! ITS SPELLED "CONGRATULATIONS"!!!!

By ligal321

Whats wrong with these Hollywood stars always marrying and divorcing...how many times do they have to do this.. didnt they ever read a book on how a marriage works and how to pick out the right person. What was Sandra thinking when she married JJames. Did she think he was gonna change just because he married her. Wasnt he married to porn star before her. Just my 2 cents..

Hollywood is no role model for me. thank you

By PHILLIP bELCHER

GOOD FOR U sANDY!

By billie Whitworth

Miss Bullock, I am filled with admiration for you.. You have handled a messy situation with poise and dignity. I am so happy to find you have a new baby. May both your lives be filled with all the happiness you deserve...And your little boy is gorgeous.......and you are right....It is a wonderful world with someone like you in it.

By Ricardo89

the tabloids are all retards and they should stay out of the celebs lives. Do any of you people have anything better to do than speaking about celebs??? get a life.

By sarge

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did she adopt a baby from america or another country?

By GenesiusMuse

New Orleans is in OUR country last time I checked...

By God1love7

Hope you bring your baby with knowing the Lord Be strong

Thursday 29 April

By Rod

Please, I'm begging, Best of luck to all involved. Now end the nonsense, who cares. Please... Move on already...

By TM

Honestly, I admire SB and others in Hollywood that stay off the front pages of all the mags. Really, they are just people also. People with a gift to act, but still just people. Why does it matter who they are dating, or if they are adopting of having children of their own? Stop digging into their personal lives, and taking pictures of their every move.

By Al

Yes! Sandra! You maintained the most important thing. The sanctity of mother and child! Bravo! I am a huge FAn. Nolin

By Danny Hodges

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Is she stupid or what?

By tina forbes

What a fairy tale ending to an ugly drama. How perfect for Sandra to move on with a darling baby boy to love.

By Teresa P

I wish Sandra B. all the best. Not only is she a great actress, but she protected the adoption making it a beautiful moment to share to her family and share with her public on her terms. She deserves the best of everything. Lucky child to have her as a mother.

By joyce

MANY BLESSINGS AND MUCH HAPPINESS TO SANDRA AND LOUIS. May God take special care of her and her little one. She deserves to be loved and cherished as she has loved and cherished others. Way to go, Sandra.

By deejay

Having been a huge fan of Sandra Bullock since I saw her in Speed....I can safely say she is one incredible human being...she loves her fans but guards her privacy in a way that is unheard of in Hollywood. She has, before this, never had anything so awful touch her life. She has managed to find a silver lining in the dark cloud that was her husband. Shame on him for the degradation of a true lady...and HOORAY for Sandra Bullock...still my favorite screen star

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