Jesse James on 'Nightline': I'm a Liar, Not a Racist

By PopEater Staff Posted May 24th 2010 11:57PM

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.

Jesse James Nazi Photo

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.

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Sandra Bullock Snapshots

©BAUER-GRIFFIN.COM Jesse James and his daughter Chandler return from a trip to the Southern United States. Was Jesse there to finalize his divorce, or were Jesse and Chandler visiting Sandra Bullock and her adopted baby Louis Bardo? EXCLUSIVE May 13, 2010 Job: 100513NB2 Los Angeles, California www.bauergriffin.com www.bauergriffinonline.com

CHRIS/bauergriffinonline.com

Sandra Bullock Snapshots

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)

Sandra Bullock Snapshots

Sandra and Jesse Snapshots

Sandra Bullock Snapshots

Tags: jesse james, nightline

Comments

(449)

Monday 24 May

By Jacob Evens

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Jesse I guess you have to find a reason for what you did in your own mind it is so sad when either a married man or woman do this( and ladies women cheat also). However how do we as the public know what Bullock is like to live with, she is a great actress, but we dont know what the real peron she is. Yes he needs to move on! She appears to have done that. Just rember Joan Crawford, she had a great public image, however she was a Insane crazy "Mommie Dearest"

By Monica

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What a lame excuse for cheating! To self sabotage. Seriously - I don't buy that one bit. He just got bored having the good life, and decided to sleep with skanks. What an idiot.

By sondbr

All he was doing is saying what he thought he needed to to try to get people to forgive him and feel sorry for him. What a bunch of bull!! He's an adult, he knew very well what he was doing and what the consequences would be and he did it anyway time and time again. There are no excuses for such behavior, especially the dumb excuses he gave. If I were Sandra I would NEVER forgive him and he can go dig a hole and crawl in with some more skanks!!! He seems dumb as toast so can't figure out what Sandra saw in him in the first place.

By tom

i was always so happy for you and the life you had but in true form you really f--ked it up big time and then she adopts a black kid?????????????????????????????????????????????????whats up with that ???????????????????????????????? no poor white kids left??????????????????????????????
Tom

By Donna

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Yep, we know, he loved his wife, and felt bad the whole time, just not bad enough to stop...its just another boo hoo...your only saying your "sorry"...cause you got caught, but didn't seem to have that good ole conscience of yours when you were messing with the skanks of the world....next time you do an interview, and you are asked why you did this to Sandra,instead of yapping about yourself, and all your its" all about me "jargon, you can simply state...hmmm, why did I do this??? well because I am a slimy sleazy, and realized that I really do deserve some skank, not the decent woman that actually loved me.

Wednesday 26 May

By Fleur458

He never did answer that question did he. He ducked it and talked about himself and how all he ever did was "protect" her and the kids. Of course between his show and his extracurricular activities one wonders when he could have found the time to protect anyone except himself -- kids included.

By T.C.

What an idiot! He has fame, money, and then having Sandra Bullock along with that and then he tries to make people believe he was "self sabotaging" his life. He's just a low life who doesn't deserve the good fortune he's been granted. From one biker to another, get on your bike, ride up Coast Highway and when you see a big cliff ahead, ride off it! The world should write you off and your show should get cancelled. I certainly won't watch it anymore.

By cchucklest1

she slept in the bed with 9 dogs there was no room for him. so he stepped out. i don't blame him. 9 dogs. please.

By Kat

If you thought your life was too perfect you wouldn't of cheated...You feel bad??? Your just another irresponsible self centered guy who never grew up and trying to skim the cream off life and appreciating no one.

By Bobbi

What a bunch of hogwash!!!

By Carol

He wanted to get caught.........Now he is a success.

By Jane

I never heard his voice before. He has a really weasally little voice.

By rchrdwlf912

Jesse is a no good dirtbag for what he did to the most beautiful woman in the world. IMO.

By seahag262

Whats this crap, " I wanted to get caught... life was too good... I love her...' ? Crap! Just plan crap. He might of liked who she was, and probly never had anyone like her give him a second glance, and it went to his head. LOVE doesnt do, what he did. Go on down the road Jesse, Go find another pole dancer, and Von D wanna be!Leave the real women alone, until you can grow up . Just remember,you got to reap, what you sow! Deal with it!

By Marie

I think he tried to get caught because I think he is not all man.

By Happily Retired

Coo Coo for Cocoa Puffs!

By Ezeestreet

Why does America care about all that "Star" crap?None of them is worth the money they are making.I am sick and tired of it.

By Claude

It's very difficult to live with a perfect woman .

By TEXAS MOM

You Guys, Jesse didn't just happen to be in our neck of the woods for nothing (AUSTIN,TEXAS). He was probably there visiting Sandra and her adopted son. Why else would he be in Austin. The girl is crazeee with a Capital "C" this guy is so freaky and scary that I would let him near me with a ten foot pole. I would probably get AIDS or something else. Sandra you really need counseling and so does he.....
)

By Caroline

Crash...You are correct . Sandra was dating Jesse when he was still married . That was no secret when it was going on . But that's never mentioned now.

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