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)

Thursday 29 April

By DIANA

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I WILL NEVER UNDERSTAND WHY A MAN WHO FINDS A WONDERFUL WOMAN WILL DO HER WRONG! ANY MAN WOULD BE LUCKY TO HAVE HER. ALL I HAVE TO SAY IS...THROW HIM TO THE CURB. YOU ARE MUCH BETTER OFF. AND OF COURSE I'M SORRY THIS HAPPENED TO YOU. BEEN THERE DONE THAT. SINCERELY, DD

By Ed Clark

I'll marry you sandra make you forget about J.J.

By Ed

your A Hot woman Id like to meet someone like you!

By Bonnie

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Good for you Sandra and congradulations!!!

By Maria

Good for her. she is very strong. SHE ADOPTED AN AMERICAN BABY CONGRATULATIONS. SHE APPEARS THAT SHE IS DOING IT FOR LOVE NOT FOR ATTENTION LIKE THE OTHERS.
.
I was a social worker I know that on this country are many children ,removed from indicent mothers waiting to be adopted.

By mepncal

Sandra Bullock is a smart and proud cookie. She dropped James like a sack of potatoes for messing with her and if Elan (Woods' wife) had an ounce of brain matter she would do the same to Tiger. Women should know that if a guy is capable of cheating once they will do it again at some future date. It's in the wiring. It is the same on the other foot too guys.
And have a great life with the baby boy Sandra.

By Joellen Hall

Maybe Sandra is just smarter than the tabloids. That shouldn't be so difficult.

By Tony

good for Sandra. I wish her and her baby God's richest blessings, much happiness.

By tonka

Sandra Congraltations on your new Baby Boy .
I still remember you from the Movie Speed you were in, parts of it was filmed in the town I lived in the sceen was where the Bus crashed into the Airplane I've been a Fan ever since you are a vary talented Actress and Devestating Lady.
If they gave Grades to people for being the Dumbest ,Stupidest person on Earth it would be awarded to Jesse it would be an A+
He should be taken to the Vet and get fixed for causeing you all the pain and suffering he put you through I have nothing but Contempt for the fool He lost the Best thing he ever had That being you.
Sandra Stay Strong for we all still Love You, may God Bless you and your new Son forever.

By Korben

Ahh, so Sandra is going the Chic Movie Star way by fashionably adopting a black baby too. . .nice. WooHoo?

By Bill

There you go, another celeb doing the pc thing for her ego,
well she always has been stuck up herself, no wonder her man turned to other less self obsessed and more interesting women,
probably bored to tears with her, like they said the best performance of her life was accepting the award, maybe if it was where it should have been her ol man would not of cheated.

By lelser54

I am glad that Sandy found out sooner than later when the pics of her, the baby and Jessie would of been found on the mantel. Enjoy motherhood and keep out of the eye of the camera..that is one thing I always admired about Sandy...not much out there for the gossip hounds.

By kf

This is Sandra Bullock's Life. It is not anyone, but her's!

By Stacy

I love Sandra Bullocks acting. Shes the best!!

By Ann

Congratulations, Sandra!! Louis is a lucky little guy to have such a wonderful mother. He is truly a gift.

By William Dolder

Well i'm Happy for Sandra,she has always been 1 of my all time Favorite actresses,she is just so Beautiful and a down to earth Person.I am so sick of the Media,i dont think that it's everyones business whats going on in her Life.If she wants you to know something i'm sure she'll let ya know.I feel bad for Sandy and other actors & actresses,all they do for us to entertain us.Let them have some damn Privacy for God's Sakes.I wish Sandy the Best of Luck in her and Louises Future.She Deserves it.God Bless Sandy & Family........

Friday 30 April

By Bernadette F.

I think he is a beautiful baby, Louis. I hope that the village that surrounds him will help Sandra to raise her son.

:)

By Ciprian

Sandra you are the best actres and i do wish you all the best and keep your smile. Chip Romania

By Linda

Good for her!! It's about time someone showed the paps they aren't as crafty as they think! There's the celeb moms that LOVE the spotlight (Kate Gosselin) then there's the celeb moms that protect their children (Sandra.) I think she just proved who the REAL devoted mother is between the two. Take note Kate.

By katie

good for her! she doesn't need jesse, he's trash. she is a true role model!

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