There is no doubt that Elizabeth Hurley, who has just turned 55, knows how to overcome adversity. The actress, model and businesswoman, as well as an ambassador for Estée Lauder, had to face a quarter of a century ago the most complicated and media shameful summer of her life. The reason? Her partner at the time, actor Hugh Grant, on June 27, 1995, was caught red-handed by the Los Angeles police while a prostitute named Divine Brown was fellating him. He went with a few extra drinks and, far from being unfaithful to his girlfriend in a discreet way, he had no other occurrence than to give free rein to his most primal instincts inside a car and, last but not least, in the middle of Sunset Boulevard.
Immediately, the photo of his mugshot was published in all the media and by credit. And what’s more, the hunt occurred a few days before his first great role in Hollywood, the romantic comedy, reached the cinema screens on July 12. Nine months. The scandal, as you can imagine, overshadowed the film’s promotional machinery. “I just read psychological theories that I was under pressure, too tired, lonely, that I had fallen down some stairs when I was little … It would be stupid to hide behind it. I did something wrong and that’s it ”, He told Jay Leno on a The Tonight Show that he broke audience records that night.
By then everyone thought that their relationship, which began in 1987 on the set of the Spanish film Paddling the Wind Gonzalo Suárez, was doomed to disaster. However, against all odds, there was an unexpected twist in the script: the British did not hesitate to accompany the actor in the premiere of Nine months. Although yes, that first was very different from that of Four Weddings and a Funeral in early 1994, the night she eclipsed all flashes thanks to the iconic black Versace dress with gold safety pins she wore. The paparazzi did not give credit. Had she really been able to forgive him?
Elizabeth Hurley and Hugh Grant at the premiere of ‘Nine Months’. Photo: Getty
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The reply was somewhat of a request, although not much. On August 4, 1995, an interview was broadcast on American television that Hurley gave to Barbara Walters. In that talk she not only stated that when she found out about the disloyalty after receiving a phone call from her agent (seconds before Grant explained it to her from her own mouth) “I felt as if I had been shot”, but that ” “I don’t think it’s a matter of understanding. Forgive … Forgiveness is a very difficult issue, but that is something that must be resolved, “he also said, but not before adding that at the premiere of Nine months “I felt miserable” and that “I don’t think I should pound someone when they are at such a low moment. I’ve never thought about it. ” Now what? Asked the journalist. “I do not know. To be honest I really don’t know, “she replied. The filming for seven weeks in South Africa of Land of HatesIt was undoubtedly his best escape route to cope with the pressure of the press.
Hugh Grant’s police record. Photo: Getty
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Hurley and the actor remained together for practically five more years, until May 2000. However, according to her, the Divine Brown scandal was not the main reason for their breakup. Three months after returning to bachelorhood, she told New York magazine, “I don’t want anyone to watch sports in bed. That makes me crazy. She used to make Hugh look at them with the sound muffled. I don’t like sports, much less in bed. I hate it”. He also commented, in case of interest, that “I would love for my dog to sleep with me, but Hugh really couldn’t stand it.”
Hurley in the legendary Versace safety pin dress. Photo: Getty
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In the end, his ended for more banal reasons than the rest of us could imagine. Without going any further, in 2015 our protagonist took advantage of a visit to the Watch What Happens Live program to reveal that “my friends used to call Hugh Grumplestiltskin. He is very grumpy. It’s something I found endearing, but not 24 hours a day. He is still my best friend today, but… he really was very upset. I love him, but he is very annoying ”. Similarly, a year later, reconfirming his good attunement, he explained in the morning Lorraine that his ex is “practically family”. “I think families change. I think they were more introspective before, but now friends are as important as your family members. Not so close, but not like those distant cousins you never see, “he added. Yes, few people can boast of managing an infidelity and a breakup with as much class and as little rancor as Elizabeth Hurley.
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