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 Janice

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my mom always said "when one door closes, another one opens", very true in most cases, esp. here. I think Sandra & Louie will be very happy togther. She should get another academy award just for pulling off this stunt, not to mention she just swept all the scandal off the table like so much rubbish...good for her!!!

By Maggiesmom (Carol)

I am so happy for her. I loved how she hid this whole thing from all these wolves that are after her. Lots of happiness to you Sandra and your baby boy.

By donna z

Best wishes to Sandra and her bundle of joy, do not know anyone who deserves happiness more and deserves it.

By patty

GOOD FOR HER

By Jason

James is like a big angry kid, I don't see what she ever saw in him anyway!!!! I'm glad she didn't copy him and ruin her good looks with a bunch of unattractive tats!!!

By sarah

I don't think it's nobody's busy to know about it and she desves to be repacted

Thursday 29 April

By wendi

Sandra, Just remember WE LOVE YOU.

By Randy

Good for you Sandra!!! You did good!!!! Oh by the way ladies. I'm a man. Not all of us are snakes. For those who may think so.

By Tony

Any cheater is just self centered and unworthy of a good spouse. But what is it with these women, young, pretty, married and single, that are out with their "boobs" hanging out, just begging to get laid by the first man, single or married, that will buy them a drink? Then they go tell the wife of the out of control man what a good time she had with her husband!

By LIZARD KING

OH SANDRA I LOVE YOU SO ... YOU ARE SUCH A GREAT PERSON AND ......

By Gandalf

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j - guess it is, if you are in it.
Some of us actually LIKE to see positive stories about strong, courageous women. If you don't like it, don't read it.

OH SANDRA .. YOU ARE THE BEST THING SINCE MICHELLE oBAMA .. YOU GO GIRLFRIEND

By linda_jones_1959

I think she has the right to alittle private time right now, I'm sure after all this whirlwind of her husband cheating on her has taken her for a ride. I only wish her the best and she needs to give her new son all the love she has inside her and he will fill that hole in her heart.

By copperhead

I am sick and tired of sandra, sandra, sandra, get on something else, good luck Jesse, glad you left sandy, the tattoo girl look better than sandra anyway..

By JOHNNIE

If you think the tat-chick is more attractive than Sandra, you have a problem. An ugly person is acceptable, but someone who made a mess of their body has low self esteem, and then worse, you like her.

By Joan Owen

congratualtions Sandra, I know you will be a good mother,
and I am glad you adopted a child from America.

By Janeyre

Why? Women do it everyday. Guess what??? The children aren't all serial killers or uneducated or lazy... Where do you live lady? Under a rock?

By Ashley

These situations are hard on everyone...but I have to ask myself, did anyone think of Jesse's kids who are said to be so attached to Sandra and vice versa. And I mean did anyone think when they di this magazing spread. I bet those little kids feel so hurt in every which way possible.

By joann

Congrats! and best of luck to the two of you :)
hugss !

By gmom

YOU GO GIRL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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