5 Disgraced New York Icons and How They Recovered (Or Not)
Woody Allen; Marrying His Girlfriend’s Daughter
Oh, Woody. Should it really have come as such a surprise that the man who made Manhattan might have one or two issues regarding attractions to much younger women? Although, Soon-Yi Previn wasn’t just any younger woman. She was the adopted daughter of Allen’s longtime girlfriend Mia Farrow (with whom he had a biological son) and therefore, many people would think, kind of off-limits for Allen. But, no. Allen and Previn got together and have remained together for the last twenty years. However, this relationship, and subsequent charges (later dropped) from Farrow that Allen was also guilty of child molestation, put quite a blemish on the director’s public image for some time.
Oh, He’s Recovered Just Fine
Allen himself had this to say about the whole ordeal, “What was the scandal? I fell in love with this girl, married her. We have been married for almost 15 years now.” Which, ha. That might be the most disingenuous thing I’ve ever heard. And I say that as someone who doesn’t even really care that much about the fact that Allen got together with Previn. I mean, clearly there was something there. They’re still together, aren’t they? That’s gotta mean something. One of the reasons that Allen was able to recover from this scandal is that he is a renowned and talented leader in his field. Unlike Weiner, who accomplished few legislative victories and was better known for his temper and love of the spotlight, or Spitzer, whose short time as governor was plagued by multiple scandals besides his affinity for prostitutes and widely regarded as a total failure, Allen is actually accomplished and well-liked. Maybe that’s the key to recovering from scandal? Be good at your actual job and screw up in private on your own time? Hm. Something to think about anyway.
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