More sadness-filled nuggets continue to trickle in from ABC's interview with Jesse James, and the latest has the former reality star recalling the moment he told Sandra Bullock about his cheating ways. "I told her basically everything," he said in a snippet aired on 'Good Morning America.' "I had affairs outside of our marriage."
James said Bullock had suspected he was being unfaithful in the past, but "I lied and lied my way out of it. I lied to everyone about everything, even to myself."
But of all the reasons James sat down with ABC's Vicki Mabrey for the interview -- which airs Tuesday on 'Nightline' -- he revealed his main motivation was to dispel charges he's a racist.
"I think out of anything this is why I'm doing this interview the most," he said. "Because dealing with losing my marriage and my son and embarrassing everyone and decimating my life. But to be called a racist on top of that, it makes me really sad seeing the photo and the way I look.
The photo in question (Us Weekly had it) shows James sporting a Nazi hat and giving a Nazi salute. Compounding the bad press surrounding the shot is James' alleged relationship with stripper Michelle "Bombshell" McGee, who has been photographed wearing similar Nazi gear and reportedly sports a swastika tattoo.
"I don't even remember taking the photo," he claimed. "But I can tell by the look of my face that it was a joke. That was funny then, for like a minute. Looking at it in the context of my life now, it's not funny."
James said he "knew it was horrible" to cheat on Bullock but continued to do so out of desire to derail his life because things were too good.
"It made me feel horrible," James said of the infidelities. "And I knew I would get caught eventually, and I think I wanted to get caught. I don't think, I know for a fact now what it was. It was me trying to self-sabotage my life."
The 'West Coast Chopper' star became visibly upset when discussing the people he has hurt most in the scandal and the irony of the path he took.
"The last person I would ever want to harm is her or the kids," he said. "I spent my whole life with the kids and her, trying to protect her. But the most hurt she's ever been caused is by the person who wanted to protect her."
He continued: "It's really, it's terrible. And she's going to hurt for a long time. It's hard for me to talk about it a little bit, because I still really love and care about her."
Watch: PopEater's Rob Shuter and 'The Insider' Host Lara Spencer on Jesse's Apology
James covers just about all the bases with 'Nightline' -- his cheating, his divorce from Bullock, his stint in rehab and his role in raising Louis, the baby boy Bullock and James recently adopted.
Asked if he's the "most hated man in America," James answers, grinning, "I think it's the 'most hated man in the world,' now."
Since news of his multiple affairs hit the press, James has kept a low profile, and has only been seen dropping his kids off at school. But while he's generally stayed out of the spotlight, the reality star has issued several statements apologizing for his behavior.
When PEOPLE broke the story of Bullock's adoption last month, Jesse released the following statement to the magazine: "My whole life has been full of hard decisions. The decision to let my wife end our marriage, and continue the adoption of Louis on her own, has been the hardest. The love I have for Louis cannot be put to words. Not having him around to love and to hold has left a huge hole in my heart."
The complete interview will air on May 25 at 11:35 PM ET/PT on ABC, and will be previewed on 'Good Morning America' that day.
In this publicity image released by ABC, correspondent Vicky Mabrey, left, is shown with Jesse James, husband of actress Sandra Bullock during an interview for "Nightline," on Wednesday May 12, 2010 in Long Beach, Calif. The interview will air on Tuesday, May 25, at 11:35 p.m. EST on ABC. (AP Photo/ABC, Patrick Wymore)
No matter what the other person has done, you have to forgive, but you don't have to go back to the union. What Jesse James did was a very hurtful thing, in fact it's one of the worse things you can do to your spouse.
It is possible to once day forgive.....but it is impossible to forget. The damage done to one's self esteem & self worth is sometimes irreparable, it isn't as simple as "get over it & move on". Experience makes us stronger, wiser & less trusting. Its the adulterer that made us this way.
ANROSE: I can think of about 20 things worse a husband or wife could do. What most woman do not get, it is just sex. It is the deception and lies that freak woman out. You feel like a big fool. But, if he truly has no relationship with the woman what is really the harm. Practice safe sex. Does your husband know every time you spend money on something, sometimes do you not tell him? Then it is a big lie.
I think that J.J. getting on television and doing this candid of an interview is good for his recovery. I think that it's appropriate since the cheating was so public. I think that it's brave of him and even though he messed up, he's a stand up guy for doing this.
Rubbish! All the crying and boo-hooing and self pity. The REAL victims in all of this are his kids. His little girl is said to have loved and was dependent on Sandra for stablility and love in a relationship. He has destroyed that. And we are supposed to feel sorry for him? What a man! Wonder what he was telling the skanks he was with when he was lying with them? If you make excuses for this behavior, you are insulting all the good men out there who are real fathers and husbands.
Brave of him??? Are you kidding me??? There is nothing brave about JJ. Nothing brave about cheating, & hurting someone you supposedly love. JJ has a history of cheating & chooses to continue to cheat. The one thing I can't stand is when a person blames his childhood on his behavior. Your a big boy now. You are in charge of your life & how it turns out, not your parents. JJ is not marriage material & a terrible role model for his children. End of story.
This attitude by women is why we have males like him. They know they can do anything to these women and as long as they say they're sorry and maybe buy her something to "prove" their love these women refuse to see the truth. I did not refer to j.j. as a man because he isn't one . As for him getting caught on purpose he is so full of crap it's pathetic. He still thinks he is in control of this situation and instead of just accepting the fact that that he is no better than all the other cheaters ,male or female, he wants to pretend he is self destructive not just a bad person. The only love this man knows is for himself. Samantha stop settling for the bottom feeders, if you ever meet a real man you will finally know what we are all talking about.
I agree, Samantha. Most importantly his public acknowledgment is necessary to validate all of Sandra's suspicion and gut feelings that he now admits to have been lies he told her to cover up his bad behavior. Women are told how "crazy" they are for being so "jealous" and "insecure." I'll bet he even told Sandra some version of this: "I am offended that you would accuse me of sleeping with THAT ugly thing when I have someone as bright, beautiful, and talented as you. You must be CRAZY to think I would throw all of this away just to poke that skank."
And if the wife confronts the mistress, the husband states that the mistress is crazy and maybe even that the mistress has been stalking him. The worst I ever heard was a husband filing rape charges after being caught red-handed having an affair.
Hottxn Pull yer head out of yer hiney Girl. What about all the skanks that cheat on their men??? Takes two to tango you know. Put on your big girl panties and get over yourself.
PURITAN AMERICA! So he cheated. Big deal. So does everyone else, men & women. She has a choice of accepting it and forgiving if she wants otherwise if she can't take it, get out, which is what she did. I just wonder sometimes how many "media people" cheat. Everyone makes such a big deal about it. It's extra marital affairs, people, it's not murder!!
I've been hurt a few times(3) it's not fun! And the guy rarely if ever has an excuse. Because there is no such thing as a "good excuse" for cheating. If you want to be with that person be with them or leave them alone. That's why so many good women clam up their feelings, which in turn makes it harder for the next guy, but it was a guy that made it hard for that woman to open up...
New quote: Men should be like kleenex, soft, strong and disposable!
Don't get me wrong I love "MEN" but they are so damn hard to find!
Damn girl, that makes you a 3 time loser. Ever wonder why? Listen to yourself,it doesn't surprise anyone else. Just maybe you are self centered. Or could it be you are just another skank all these other woman are talking about.
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More sadness-filled nuggets continue to trickle in from ABC's interview with Jesse James, and the latest has the former reality star recalling the moment he told Sandra Bullock about his cheating ways. "I told her basically everything," he said in a snippet aired on 'Good Morning America.' "I had affairs outside of our marriage."
The photo in question (
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No matter what the other person has done, you have to forgive, but you don't have to go back to the union. What Jesse James did was a very hurtful thing, in fact it's one of the worse things you can do to your spouse.
Reply
It IS the single worst thing a spouse can do to the other. The betrayal will change her and stay with her a very long time, if not forever.
Been there, done that.
It is possible to once day forgive.....but it is impossible to forget. The damage done to one's self esteem & self worth is sometimes irreparable, it isn't as simple as "get over it & move on".
Experience makes us stronger, wiser & less trusting. Its the adulterer that made us this way.
ANROSE: I can think of about 20 things worse a husband or wife could do. What most woman do not get, it is just sex. It is the deception and lies that freak woman out. You feel like a big fool. But, if he truly has no relationship with the woman what is really the harm. Practice safe sex. Does your husband know every time you spend money on something, sometimes do you not tell him? Then it is a big lie.
Please, give me a break. He didn't kill anyone....get real
I think that J.J. getting on television and doing this candid of an interview is good for his recovery. I think that it's appropriate since the cheating was so public. I think that it's brave of him and even though he messed up, he's a stand up guy for doing this.
Reply
Rubbish! All the crying and boo-hooing and self pity. The REAL victims in all of this are his kids. His little girl is said to have loved and was dependent on Sandra for stablility and love in a relationship. He has destroyed that. And we are supposed to feel sorry for him? What a man! Wonder what he was telling the skanks he was with when he was lying with them? If you make excuses for this behavior, you are insulting all the good men out there who are real fathers and husbands.
You have a very low threshold for the title of 'stand up guy'.....
Brave of him??? Are you kidding me??? There is nothing brave about JJ. Nothing brave about cheating, & hurting someone you supposedly love. JJ has a history of cheating & chooses to continue to cheat. The one thing I can't stand is when a person blames his childhood on his behavior. Your a big boy now. You are in charge of your life & how it turns out, not your parents. JJ is not marriage material & a terrible role model for his children. End of story.
This attitude by women is why we have males like him. They know they can do anything to these women and as long as they say they're sorry and maybe buy her something to "prove" their love these women refuse to see the truth. I did not refer to j.j. as a man because he isn't one . As for him getting caught on purpose he is so full of crap it's pathetic. He still thinks he is in control of this situation and instead of just accepting the fact that that he is no better than all the other cheaters ,male or female, he wants to pretend he is self destructive not just a bad person. The only love this man knows is for himself. Samantha stop settling for the bottom feeders, if you ever meet a real man you will finally know what we are all talking about.
I agree, Samantha. Most importantly his public acknowledgment is necessary to validate all of Sandra's suspicion and gut feelings that he now admits to have been lies he told her to cover up his bad behavior. Women are told how "crazy" they are for being so "jealous" and "insecure." I'll bet he even told Sandra some version of this: "I am offended that you would accuse me of sleeping with THAT ugly thing when I have someone as bright, beautiful, and talented as you. You must be CRAZY to think I would throw all of this away just to poke that skank."
And if the wife confronts the mistress, the husband states that the mistress is crazy and maybe even that the mistress has been stalking him. The worst I ever heard was a husband filing rape charges after being caught red-handed having an affair.
i agree, well said!
whah.... cry me a river
Reply
All the way to the delta. Whether he was in self-sabotage mode or just plain stupid doesn't excuse his behavior. No pity here!
Hottxn Pull yer head out of yer hiney Girl. What about all the skanks that cheat on their men??? Takes two to tango you know. Put on your big girl panties and get over yourself.
PURITAN AMERICA!
So he cheated. Big deal. So does everyone else, men & women. She has a choice of accepting it and forgiving if she wants otherwise if she can't take it, get out, which is what she did. I just wonder sometimes how many "media people" cheat. Everyone makes such a big deal about it. It's extra marital affairs, people, it's not murder!!
I've been hurt a few times(3) it's not fun! And the guy rarely if ever has an excuse. Because there is no such thing as a "good excuse" for cheating. If you want to be with that person be with them or leave them alone. That's why so many good women clam up their feelings, which in turn makes it harder for the next guy, but it was a guy that made it hard for that woman to open up...
New quote: Men should be like kleenex, soft, strong and disposable!
Don't get me wrong I love "MEN" but they are so damn hard to find!
Reply
I AGREE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Damn girl, that makes you a 3 time loser. Ever wonder why? Listen to yourself,it doesn't surprise anyone else. Just maybe you are self centered. Or could it be you are just another skank all these other woman are talking about.
IM A HARD MAN!!