Michael Douglas's Sex Memoir Sparks Controversy and Criticism
The veteran actor's candid revelations about his past relationships have drawn mixed reactions from fans and industry insiders.
Michael Douglas has ignited a firestorm in Hollywood with the release of his tell-all sex memoir, which delves into his personal life and past romantic encounters. The candid nature of his revelations, particularly concerning which famous women he was involved with, has reportedly left some fans disillusioned and elicited criticism from those who consider his approach "desperate."
Sources close to the actor have expressed shock at the memoir's content, noting that Douglas is "normally a class act." The focus on his sexual history, including details about his relationships and alleged infidelities, has been described as a departure from his established public persona.
Among the notable relationships detailed in the memoir is one with Maureen Dowd, a Pulitzer Prize-winning columnist for The New York Times. Douglas also shared details about his naked encounters with Sharon Stone while filming their infamous sex scene in Basic Instinct, a topic Stone has reportedly not publicly discussed.
The memoir also touches upon his relationship with his ex-wife Diandra, admitting to cheating on her multiple times. He reportedly began dating five different women when he first met Catherine Zeta-Jones, necessitating breakups with all of them.
Douglas's past relationships with co-stars are also laid bare. He opened up about his girlfriend Brenda Vaccaro, with whom he starred in Summertree in 1971, claiming she was unfaithful. Additionally, he discussed his relationship with Lee Purcell, his co-star in the 1970 film Adam At 6AM, noting the complication that she was married at the time.
The 82-year-old actor also revealed details of his relationship with Catherine Zeta-Jones, including how she made him wait several months before they became intimate. Their first meeting occurred in 1998.
Another revelation includes his admission of sleeping with co-star Jeanne Tripplehorn on the set of Basic Instinct.
The memoir's unflinching look at Douglas's romantic history has divided opinion, with some praising his honesty and others questioning the necessity and potential impact of such intimate disclosures.