The biggest scandal in Hollywood is currently Kristen Stewart cheating on boyfriend and "Twilight" co-star Robert Pattinson. Stewart has been blasted by the media left and right for her immaturity, lack of professionalism, and for breaking poor Robbie's heart.
And while it is certainly reason to frown upon someone of Stewart's celebrity and influence for such a big "no-no," the question beckons: Should she be getting lambasted the way she is?
This is no attempt to exonerate Stewart from her actions, but simply to delve into a deeper issue of the media and how we accept what they dictate. Stewart is 22 and has had only one serious relationship in her life. She is (was?) a rising whose career is now in jeopardy because she cheated on her boyfriend who happens to be a role model in Holllywood. Obviously public figures must be treated in different light and held accountable and of the two offenders, Stewart is by far the bigger celebrity.
But how is it possible that Rupert Sanders, a 44 year-old director with a wife and two kids, has not drawn as much fire from the media. Let's put it into perspective. The director-actor relationship is certainly not one of equals and as many famous cases (Hitchcock I'm looking at you) have detailed, some directors may take advantage of their position of power to launch sexual conquests on their naive actresses. While there is no way to prove who the instigator in this melodrama is, wouldn't a man in power attempt to control the situation if he is of good moral fiber?
Let us look at it from both vantage points. If Sanders was the instigator, then he should be butchered by the press for cheating on not just his wife, but his two children: his family.
Let's say Stewart was the instigator here. Should Sanders take advantage of her advances and cheated on his wife? Or should he set her straight and tell her that it is highly unprofessional. He made the wrong choice both times and should be paying the price for such amoral behavior. But as far as everyone is concerned he is still getting a look to direct some Hollywood blockbuster, maybe even the next Snow White film.
The greatest concern is that the media attacks and the public accepts. The media rejoices and so does the public. Does anyone remember a certain "Brangelina" situation in which Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie fell in love on the set of "Mr. and Mrs. Smith?" How many people remember that Brad Pitt was still married to Hollywood's All-American sweetheart Jennifer Aniston? Probably none because the media did not care to emphasize the issue. Angelina Jolie was in vogue; Aniston was yesterday's news. So Pitt got off scot-free with not one bit of damage to his celebrity or persona.
How about Ashton Kutcher's divorce with Demi Moore? How many remember the fact that the divorce was over Kutcher cheating on Moore with a younger woman? Again, the media failed to relay this and focused on Moore's problematic nature rather than Kutcher's betrayal.
How about Arnold Schwarzenegger? Just a year ago, the man who was the Governor of California, and the star of numerous Hollywood Blockbusters revealed that he had a child over ten year ago with his mistress. He was allowed to let his comments stand and no one questioned how good of him it was to own up to it in public. For his trouble he gets be in the "Expendables 2" and now "The Last Stand." When Stewart made her public statements, laughter ensued. She got fired from the next Snow White film.
There is no need to bring up the issue of double standard here. Men are allowed to get away with things that women are not allowed to. The three men who were utilized as examples were married when they committed the cheating. Not one of them has a negative wrap with the media. Sanders had a wife of Seven years and two children. He is certainly not drawing the ire of the media for cheating on them.
Stewart and Pattinson were not even married and were only dating for a few years. She may forever be on the media's bad side and what's worse, may not even get a second chance with Pattinson. What if Pattinson really wanted to forgive her? If he were to take her back, he risks harming his own reputation. Both will always be in the negative spotlight. Any little fight will bring back this incident. Pattinson might even be called weak or dumb for his decision.
And it's all because when the media speaks, the people do not question.