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Liz Smith | 03/04/2009 11:00 pm

Liz Smith: Sharon Stone on Panties, Parenting, Privacy, Paparazzi and Michael Phelps … Also – the Sad End of Neverland

Sharon Stone © Wire Image
“For God’s sake, don’t these girls know? When you get out of a car, you emerge headfirst!”

That’s Sharon Stone commenting on today’s celebutantes who forget to wear their underwear. 

If you think that’s funny coming from the woman who participated in cinema’s most invasive low angle, think again. Sharon has always denied she knew where Paul Verhoeven’s “Basic Instinct” camera was. And in any case, as she says, “I was never that woman, that woman who exposed herself.”

Miss Stone, actress and activist, called me from California to say she was in my corner in the matter of my “retirement” from the New York Post. I was pleased to hear from her, but cravenly I asked, after the niceties, “Darling, got any news?” She said, laughing, “Well, aside from my good deeds? I’m such a good deed doer, I don’t think so. I don’t think I have any news. I’m much more interested in the fact that my children got into the school I wanted. It’s such a wonderful school. I think if you feel you need to spoil your kids, spoil them on education.”

——————————

"Yes, yes … this is wonderful," I said, "but what about acting, what about your career? You are such a great actress." Sharon just about dropped the phone, “Yes, damnit, I am a great actress. And I do have to get back to work.” (I wasn’t blowing smoke, she is a wonderful actress. But she is pretty laid back about her abilities.)

In fact, the star has two movies upcoming: “$5 a Day” with Christopher Walken, and “Streets of Blood” co-starring Val Kilmer. Of the latter effort she says, “The cast was ablaze with talent! Especially 50 Cent. He is smoking hot, brilliant!” (50 Cent, famous for his music, was born Curtis James Jackson III, and I think that name would look just as good on a marquee.)

———————————

After the required career chat, somehow we got into issues of privacy in general and Michael Phelps, the Olympian, in particular. “Geez!” said Sharon, “This is not about condoning marijuana use. This is about how celebrities are not allowed to be normal. He is a 23-year-old, who did what he did in private. It’s OK to be normal. To succeed, and to fail. 

“He didn’t do it on Main Street. And he didn’t need to apologize publicly. The people who photographed him and sold the pictures, those who invaded his privacy — they are the ones who should apologize. Listen, these girls who get out of their cars showing what they’ve got, knowing they’re showing what they’ve got — they should apologize.” (Oh, and before you say it — I’m sure Sharon didn’t realize the dress she wore to a recent awards ceremony went transparent under the flash of the candid cameras.)

I said to Sharon that I didn’t think it was necessary for celebrities to apologize publicly for all of their misdeeds: “Like Hugh Grant. He owed Elizabeth Hurley an apology, period" (in the matter of Hugh being caught with a prostitute). But Sharon disagrees: “No, he committed a criminal act, in public, he needed to apologize.”

——————————-

Sharon was fired up. “You know, it’s incredible, we can’t argue with our spouse, can’t get fat, can’t wear the clothes we want to wear without commentary, or the paparazzi who are now just dangerous.”

She paused. “But this is the actual ‘price of fame’ and nobody put a gun to my head to go on with it.”

We laughed and kidded more about the girls without underwear and I said, “Well, in certain cases, I think it was a kind of mental issue.” Sharon groaned, “Liz, mental issues seems to be a real choice, lately.”

Then she said she had to go, to tend to her kids. “Liz, I’m sorry I had nothing to say. But I’m here if you need me; if that helps.” 

Sharon, honey, everybody who has the same “nothing to say” should give me a call.

29 Reader Comments (so far…) Sign In or Register to comment

James the Game
Some astute comments by Sharon Stone. It’s a cycle nowadays with the young stars: the TV & tabloids manufacture news about every little aspect of their lives, real or imagined. And when the shooting stars inevitably begin to fall, they manufacture crises in order to draw the spotlight back.
By James the Game on 03/04/2009 11:50 pm
Paula Casagrande
I feel bad for Michael Phelps…he has trained his whole life, had some off time, was blowing off steam and these creeps took pictures. I do wish this country would lift prohibition off the weed. The government could make money, it would provide countless jobs, money wasted on the criminal system would be saved and people who purchase it now would not have to buy from the scary dealers. The effects are really no worse than alcohol. It will never happen though.
By Paula Casagrande on 03/05/2009 7:30 am
shirley adams
I just love Sharon Stone, to me she is just awesome! inside and out! and she right about people and there privacy. All the government needs to do to generate money is to legalize weed. there wouldn’t be a deficit?
By shirley adams on 03/05/2009 8:30 am
Susan Gabriel

I used to be a psychotherapist and a client of mine was the personal chef to some Hollywood producers and stars, including Sharon Stone on one occasion, and the client said that Sharon was absolutely horrible to her—quite the out-of-control diva.

I truly don’t want to believe this about such a great actress and person. But we all have our "horrible" moments, right? I guess it’s true that celebrities can’t just be normal people. Every supposed not-so-nice moment gets remembered and repeated. Forgive me, Sharon.

Susan Gabriel(.com)

By Susan Gabriel on 03/05/2009 12:19 pm
nanchan u

Go Sharon!  I’ve never been a fan, but I love the fact that you just shot from the hip on these issues.  Talk about saying exactly what most of us are thinking…

And, Susan (poster above), those negative celebre stories are all over. Just like those horrible pictures of everyone (which they only dredge up to slam the celebre-du jour’s bad moments).  I take them with a grain of salt, unless they are POSITIVE stories.  Those I try to spread around :)

By nanchan u on 03/05/2009 12:37 pm
Bella Mia

I was struck by Sharon’s liberal hypocrisy.  School choice for the "have’s" but not for the "have not’s."   Two of Malia’s and Sasha’s classmates are getting kicked out of their private school because Chuck Shumer has promised to cancel the voucher program in DC at the behest of the teachers’ union.  The children’s mother was interviewed in the Washington Post this week and is terrified that they will be forced back into their failing neighborhood school.

It is child abuse pure and simple to force children into failing dangerous schools.  Rich vapid liberals couldn’t care less about the toxic agenda of the teachers’ union and the school alienation it breeds in MILLIONS of children.  This is Sharon’s, "Let them eat cake, moment." 

I know of which I speak.  I am homeschooling one of my children because he had a teacher that was a "screamer," as my older daughter, who had her, called her.  Another neighbor child said the other teachers had to close their classroom doors this teacher’s yelling at her students was so loud and disruptive.  My straight-A son complained about her for months, and then one day said he couldn’t take it anymore.  The school administration said, "We never make exception to change classes or teachers, and besides, yelling is a matter of perception."  

Unions are more important that children.  It is a travesty and a civil rights issue.  Sharon is privledged and oblivious. 

By Bella Mia on 03/05/2009 1:46 pm
Dutch 163

my 2 cents…as both a teacher and a parent..I hear you..my own children had their share of not-so-great teachers

I was always an advocate for the child..do not confuse the union with the administration:the union is basically protection for the teachers against unfair labor practices, the administration would be the ones to make policies like the one you mention: we will not move a student

as for vouchers: I feel for the 2 who must return to the less-than-perfect public school, but what about the other kids who were already there? Why are they any less important than the 2 girls  who were in Malia and Sascha’s school?

here is what I never understood about vouchers: if the public school was bad, why not take the $$$ and fix it for EVERYONE?

after 33 yrs as a teacher…I do not believe "unions are more important than children" , it is not the way it was…I was just subbing today..I have taken a young (angry) girl under my wing to mentor….we have found something in common: we both like Obama…I gave her a copy of his last address and this 12 yr old assures me she is going to take it home and read it!!

but the truth about sharon Stone, and others with the resources:yes, they can buy more!!

By Dutch 163 on 03/05/2009 3:45 pm
beth willis

How does Sharon Stone’s being able to place her children in the school of her choice affect your situation?  We do not have teacher’s unions in my state, but if I am not mistakien there are bargaining rights accompanying teacher status in union districts. Who’s negotiating for the kids, and why does Shumer have anything to do with it.  And are you saying that a student in Washington, D.C. either attends a slum school or a $32,000 a year elitist private school?

You’ve inferred a great deal of negativity from Ms. Stone without acknowledging anything about her philanthropic efforts.  In addition, it appears that this ‘liberal hypocrit’ seems to believe her children and their education are of the utmost importance to her.  This is her, ‘Let them eat cake moment’?  Who are you to sit in judgment of her?

Bella Mia, I totally agree with you about the travesty of the conditions children across the country are subjected to.  And I am sincerely sorry for your frustration.  But I’m guessing that Sharon Stone voted for the presidential candidate who budgeted 100 billion for schools, twice the budget of last year.  Maybe it’s Shumer who doesn’t care.

Peace and grace

By beth willis on 03/05/2009 11:08 pm
Malvina Orlova
Basic Instinct and Blood and Sand were her star movies, possibly the one with Isabelle Adjani was OK as well…
By Malvina Orlova on 03/05/2009 1:55 pm
lauren stephens

Sharon Stone….a great actress???!! Thanks for the laugh Liz.  I know it is your style to "protect" the stars and famous people who seem to have made you what you are today, but let’s be real.  Sharon didn’t KNOW that Paul Verhoven was going to put that "shot" in the movie??!!! Are you kidding me???? Who had ever HEARD of Sharon Stone before that????  You believe SHE didn’t know? Listen I know better.  I also happen to live in hollywood and have heard all too often the kinds of lies that famous people tell.  They truly will say anything - depending on what they are promoting or what they need the public to believe to keep selling their product.  I read your columns alot and for the most part just laugh when I read once again how you are ever so kindly stroking the famous’ backs.  I just couldn’t let this one go.  Sharon Stone has a reputation around this town for being exactly what she is….a looney tune.  Let’s just put it this way….there was a reason why her ex-husband went back to San Francisco and there was also a reason why what happened at the zoo was ironic.  If you know what I mean then you will have the rest of the story.  I have to call you out on this one.  She is neither a "great" actress nor a very good person as she would have you believe.  But she is her own best pr person and you can thank the paparazzi Sharon for anyone remembering who you are today.

By lauren stephens on 03/05/2009 2:06 pm
beth willis

Maybe you should give Liz Smith a call , Laura.  She might just get a good laugh from your seedy stories, too.  But don’t count on her printing them, afterall whoever heard of laura stephens before the big ‘Sharon Stone Commits Irony in Public Zoo’ story.  You’ve said some ugly comments about Liz Smith, but then you live in La La Land;therefore, it’s understandable if you can’t quite grasp the wit of a sophisticated New York writer. You delude yourself if you think for one minute that Liz Smith doesn’t know every detail about Sharon Stone’s larks.   ‘a lot’:two words, just in case you decide to get in the biz.

Peace and grace

By beth willis on 03/05/2009 11:27 pm
Babette dYveine

I never read the New York Post because I consider it a reactionary rag.  So I’m totally unfamiliar with Ms. Smith’s "work."  This is the first time I’ve read any of it, and probably the last.

Am I the only person who thinks this tripe is trivial garbage?

 

By Babette dYveine on 03/05/2009 2:59 pm
Count Snarkula
Yes Babette, you are.
By Count Snarkula on 03/05/2009 4:09 pm
eileen foley
Liz’s tripe and trivial garbage is the stuff of life, wasn’t it Oliver Wendell Holmes who on his deathbed didn’t want to hear of treatises but of what the neighbors were up to?  As for Stone’s views on Phelps, archaic. Time to harass a kid for pot smoking was back in the ’60s, when it was purportedly new, but not really. Now it’s old hat.  Still illegal, you say?  Perhaps, but it shouldn’t be. I have no personal interest myself, tried it 45 years ago, didn’t like it; but I do know the drug cartels wouldn’t be shooting up Mexico and each other and select people across the border over the equivalent of a tobacco tax.  Let’s wipe out this criminal industry, admit that once again we can’t legislate morality, and get on with the serious stuff.  A pot tax might help Mitch McConnell and President Obama come to some agreement on the cost of health for all Americans.  Long live Liz for this inspiration.
By eileen foley on 03/05/2009 4:46 pm
Mommy Dearest

Ah, my dear Sharon.  First, I ran into her while she was dating Dweezil Zappa, whom she attempted to swear to secrecy about their affair and dumped after he went public.

Then, I met the man who ran her charity. through which she did humanitarian works.  Such a dichotomy, our Sharon.

Fascinating woman, dahlings.

By Mommy Dearest on 03/05/2009 7:43 pm