Mel Gibson Breaks Silence on Infamous Tapes: They Don't Define Me
In a new interview with Deadline Hollywood, Mel Gibson has finally broken his silence over the infamous tapes of him berating Oksana Grigorieva last year.
While shrugging off criticism, he takes responsibility for his behavior.
Of the Mel Gibson tapes, the troubled actor says this: "It's one terribly awful moment in time, said to one person in the span of one day, and doesn't represent what I truly believe or how I've treated people my entire life."
Mel also stresses to Deadline that "I've never treated anyone badly or in a discriminatory way based on their gender, race, religion or sexuality."
While he says the tapes "have been edited," he doesn't blame people who think he's a bigot "from the garbage they heard on those leaked tapes."
He emphasizes the context of an "irrationally, heated discussion at the height of a breakdown, trying to get out of a really unhealthy relationship."
Mel also talked about his 2006 DUI arrest, notable for his anti-Semitic rant. Mel felt then that the arrest would be the last straw in his marriage.
It was. He and his wife Robyn separated the day after the arrest.
He remains quiet on his custody battle with Oksana Grigorieva, but says he pleaded contest in the criminal case to spare his family the harassment.
"I could have continued to fight this for years and it probably would have come out fine. But I ended it for my children and my family," he says.
"This was going to be such a circus. You don’t drag other people in your life through this sewer needlessly, so I’ll take the hit and move on."
The interview also goes into great detail about Mel's new movie, Jodie Foster's The Beaver, which some critics say is Mel's best performance ever.
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September 5th, 2011 11:36 AM
If an ex-wife from a 28 year marriage and step in to defend Mel, this certainly shows that Mel was not and is not a "bad" person. Yes, he had a drinking problem and at times a problem with spouting off, but being an abusive man who hits women and is a danger to babies - really, who in their right mind would believe that. Oksana had an agenda to get money out of Mel. Being extremely manipulative and knowing Mel's drinking and spouting off problem, when he was upset, she really played him. I feel sorry for Mel and for Lucia. For Lucia's mental health it would be best if Oksana did not get custody of her.
July 10th, 2011 7:27 PM
Mel has been under the microscope, I suspect before he said anything in public. His public action, was most likely a reaction; to what was transpiring in his life at the time.
Lets face-it, Hollywood can SPIN an Angel to look like a Vegas Crap Dealer. For some reason in our society anger equals guilt / bypolar / agression the list goes on. When someone is wronged by deliberate misinformation, then gas-lighted, and then finally the media pop's out from behind bushes. Well, this seems tobe more like the truth.
This Blog has some of the angriest comments towards a man they know nothing about. Here's what I know, Mel Gibson has accomplished more-than 90% of his celebrity class. He started to have trouble in hollywood, when producing/directing Top Quality movies. Mel stepped on toes of feet he never saw, he was triing to do his best, and shocked all of HollyWood.
He's being punished for doing good.
That would piss
May 23rd, 2011 12:42 AM
Mel's behavior makes me sick. He was my favorite actor for years. The drunk ranting, I tried to excuse, because he was drunk. And, I do belive that Giranna did incite him to a degree. However, I find it difficult to see Mel as a 'good guy' now. I fear that the rants show a huge part of his true self. I have been in some very verbal arguments and didn't act/speak like that. If he's not insane, he has something seriously wrong with him. He gives "christians" a bad reputation. I don't see how he could ever be a favorite actor he once was. I at least can't stomach watching him anymore.
April 25th, 2011 2:33 PM
Mel Gibson didn't do anything that I haven't done myself when I was arguing with the kind of woman I never should have brought into my life in the first place. Most men can say the same. I think the guy is great. He's a good person and a fantastic talent. Personally, I think the act of tape recording a private conversation says much worse things about the woman than Mel Gibson.
Rank: New User
April 24th, 2011 3:25 PM
Gibson is an ass. Alcohol is one of the greatest truth serums.
April 23rd, 2011 8:03 PM
I feel great respect to M.Gibson and amiration to his a/works, especially APOCALIPSO. No thing in the world is more beautiful. Hope to see his last work, as actor, in J.Foster movie.
Oksana? Just ugly episod.
April 22nd, 2011 11:53 PM
Oksana is a very abusive manipulative beotch who abused Mel extensively to manipulatively set him up for that taping. BUT, nobody holds abusive women accountable at all. It must be all his fault, anytime any man reacts to an abusive manipulative woman... Sick shiz - sick woman
April 22nd, 2011 8:24 PM
Mel G. didn't hurt anybody! He's fighting with his exgirlfriend. BFD!! Have you ever had an ex to fight with? You use every word at your disposal. As far as being racist or bigoted. he has as much right to his opinion as you do. I can understand not being allowed to hurt people just because of your opinion, but when you think you should be allowed to tell a man what he can think, then you've crossed over the line. He has seen life and people and judged them with his own mind. How do you know his opinions aren't right? All this crap about Mel is just jumping on the old band wagon.
April 22nd, 2011 6:19 PM
Mel has a drinking problem...he knows it, everyone knows it, he needs help - when drunks get fired up, they can become "ugly" and needlessly aggressive in their words. Other than this drinking problem, Mel has lived a pretty blameless life...(not many attractive multi millionaires in Ego-centric Hollywood can make this claim).
Oksana, however, is truly dispicable. She taped and released a private phone call to the world, exposing Mel when he was at his most shameful self under the influence.
There is only one word for a woman like that, and it starts with a C.
April 22nd, 2011 5:05 PM
Let's see... a long time marriage with no rumours ever of abuse, an ex-wife who stands by his side and says he never was abusive to her or the kids, friends who support him, millions of dollars given to charities quietly without fanfare, thirty years of keeping his family out of the spotlight...
Sounds like he was in an extremely toxic relationship and it brought the worst out in him. Count your lucky stars you got out when you did, Mel!