The big news story this week is New York Governor Elliot Spitzer's dalliance with a prostitute; and his subsequent resignation. I do not intend to pass moral judgment on the Governor's actions – although personally, I believe this to be a matter between him and his wife; and his conscience, if he has one. It is not really the public's business; except for the suggestion that the Governor may have used tax dollars to finance his escapades. Pretty stupid to leave a paper trail, if you ask me. Even a dumb crook knows that, if you're carrying out a transaction you want to keep secret, you always pay in cash.
This article, however, is not about Governor Spitzer. It is about Ashley Alexandra Dupre. A week ago, you would have been quite justified in asking, Ashley who? But now the young lady is getting far more than her 15 minutes of fame. Her picture is already splashed across newspapers all over the world; she even got herself mentioned on CNN and BBC.
If past history is anything to go by, Ashley Dupre is about to become a very wealthy woman. Nothing sells like scandal these days. Tabloid editors and proprietors are probably salivating at the thought of getting all the juicy details – and if there aren't that many in reality, they will make them up as they go along. Tabloid readers want to be shocked and titillated – facts are secondary. Ms.Dupre is about to start a bidding war; and we are talking about millions of dollars here. That is just the beginning, of course. Talk show hosts will be scrambling to get her on their shows – she might even make it to Larry King Live. A book deal will probably follow. Did someone ask, how do we know she can write? She does not need to – just provide the bare bones facts and a talented ghost writer will fill in the blanks.
Profiting from infamy is the big 20th century phenomenon, which is going to get even bigger in the twenty first. Helen of Troy may have had an epic written about her, but I doubt if she got any financial rewards for her adultery. These days, the mantra for success is: if you're going to do something scandalous, try to do it with someone famous. Just ask the DC Madam and Princess Diana's alleged lovers. Ashley Dupre is going to make it big, primarily because she happened to be in the wrong place at the right time. She can hardly claim to be a hapless victim to the Governor's lust – and yet, ironically, her star will rise even as Spitizer's fades.
If you are shaking your head in disapproval over this perceived injustice, I'm afraid you are being a little hypocritical. The tabloids are willing to pay millions for stories like this, precisely because it is what the public wants. Remember, the folks who read the National Enquirer and the Drudge Report far outnumber those who peruse the New York Times.
Why is it so? There seems to be something in the human psyche that craves wickedness. Reading about the foibles of famous people makes us feel a little superior. Even while professing to be shocked at the transgressions of prominent public personalities, we secretly applaud them – some would say we are even a little envious. In this election year, it could partly explain why negative ads about a political opponent work so well. The good guys may be role models, but the bad guys are more entertaining.
Governor Spitzer may be about to ride off into the sunset, but Ashley Dupre is just starting to emerge from the shadows. I, for one, will follow her future career with considerable interest.
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Comments: 51
And I must admit, while celebrity gossip is generally not my thing, I do want to see the girl that is worth $4300 per hour. Anyone else think the governer of NY might be due a paycut?
I believe that having raked in over a million dollars Divine was back on the street in a couple of years.
All the way from Mumbai, you're proving again that you have a better handle on America than many Americans do. Great article.
I was shocked and did a double take because its different when you actually meet somebody and they turn up in a scandal.
As for the money angle ... I haven't seen anything yet published publically that breaks down what the sources of money were for this. Spitzer is a millionaire by birth; the trip to DC was legitimate government business (he was going there to testify to Congress), so the payments for his transportation and hotel room were legal. My understanding is that he paid for "Kristen" out of his own bank accounts, but we'll see if this gets deeper coverage.
That's how i felt too until i learned that Silda was actually the last holdout begging her husband not to step down. It's pitiful. She was so power hungry, or perhaps had such a great fear of losing wealth, that she had no sense for how her children will certainly perceive this; a last desperate grab for the ring, at all costs. Silda may not have committed the act, but she either knew about it all along, or if not, still wanted to enable him in the end. Thankfully they're both gone from public life.
But, you are correct...we will be hearing about here for many weeks and perhaps months...if he gets indicted. Poor New York & us!! ~mo-zy
believe she was trying to protect her family...she is a very astute atty. & woman.
Sometimes, we do what appears to be selfish -- even foolish acts to protect our children. I know, I would & I am sure I have. I also, think this woman is in big shock...who wouldn't be?
I have no idea why these women stand by their "man" after they've been trotted out for public humiliation. Hard to have too much sympathy when they allow themselves to be trotted out more than once....
It would be refreshing if the young lady would suddenly develop some scruples and say no to that, having participated in enough unpleasantness already. But more likely she will ask "how much $?" and go with the high bid, as she has already indicated an interest in money over legality as well as traditional morals.
The transaction of course sullied both participants. Just as in illegal drugs, you need a buyer before you can get a seller.
I disagree on it not being the public's business though. When people like Spitzer do things like this, they put themselves in the all to possible situation of being blackmailed to vote a certain way, or create legislation, pass on secrets, etc. depending on their position in politics. Heck, often pillow-talk is dangerous enough. Happens all the time in the real world, and not a position to be in...
Congrats to you for being featured on Gather's Home Page!
aint no sex worth 4300 an hour. She doesn't even have big boobs!
So when you met her, how much did she charge you? lol
"Boobs are for feeding babies actually. More of them should be used for that purpose."
That's the Rose Kennedy doctrine...............and its probably the main reason why all the Kennedy men are known philanderers.
- Monica Lewinsky
- Donna Rice
- Jessica Hahn
- Gennifer Flowers
- the cop in the stall next to Sen. Larry Craig
Not long, I'd guess.
If those scandals are any measure, expect Ms. Dupree to be "yesterday's news" the week after her Hustler pics hit newstands nationwide.
Is it the reason they are known, or the reason they are philanderers?
The reason they are either philanderers or potential philanderers is
that Y chromosome, not their last names.
so I guess he had the tab.
Infamy by itself is not profitable. Our lust for such news makes it profitable. And may be the Governor doesn't have a good rapport with his wife. Generally, I assume, it is only those who are not happy with their partners at home stray out. That doesn't mean I have an exceptionally good rapport with my wife. My idea is not to give an unduely favourable impression about myself or my character.
I liked your comment that it is a matter between the governor and his wife and his conscience. If everybody thought this way infamy would not have been such a profitable proposition.
"Is it the reason they are known, or the reason they are philanderers?
The reason they are either philanderers or potential philanderers is
that Y chromosome, not their last names."
No, the reason the Kennedys are known at all is because Joe Kennedy was such a financial wizard. If he wasn't, today the Kennedys would be a locally (Boston area) well-known family..........and that's it. But Joe Kennedy taught his sons to be philanderers by example. He had the means, and the opportunity..........and he used them.
It didn't hurt Joe Kennedy's cause that Rose Kennedy believed in "sex is for procreation only". Knowing he was this way, Rose played right into the philandering. Meanwhile, all the boys watched and learned, from Dad.
Read Doris Kearns Goodwin's excellent novel on the family. You'll be shocked at all the well-documented affairs and dalliances. Meanwhile, Rose looked the other way, scornfully.
You travel in some expensive circles..........
It took me 10 minutes to stop laughing.
The Kennedy's are sort of bizarre, look at what they did to Rosemary.
The French have a realistic way of looking at things.
"The French have a realistic way of looking at things."
Well maybe. Or you could also make a successful argument that they've allowed adultery to become an integral part of their society. Look at Chirac's comments for proof. Hilarious proof....LOL.
"The Kennedy's are sort of bizarre, look at what they did to Rosemary."
One needs to look no further than the wanged-out life of Teddy for confirmation of that.
Sin sells. But that's America for you. ;)