Following Charlie Sheen‘s revelation on “Today” that he has been HIV-postive for the past four years, the co-hosts of “The View” took an uncharacteristically sober tack in commenting on the actor.
“Unprotected sex puts you in danger,” co-host Whoopi Goldberg said. “That’s what you have to know. If you’re having unprotected sex, many things can happen, and if you think it can’t happen to you, you’re fooling yourself.”
Co-host Joy Behar noted a report that a prostitute took a picture of Sheen’s HIV medications four years ago and has been extorting the actor for money ever since.
“Ten million dollars that he’s paid over the last four years, which is when he found out about the diagnosis,” Paula Faris chimed in. “He also did it to de-stigmatize the disease. But also, he looked so nervous during the interview. Just that amount of relief — he can breathe again.”
Co-host Raven-Symoné also supported Sheen, saying, “I don’t think he should pay those people anymore.” In an open letter released after the interview aired, Sheen said that he had paid out millions to “desperate charlatans” whom the actor may have infected with the disease.
“News Flash: This ends today. I’m claiming back my freedom,” he wrote. “The scales of justice will swiftly and righteously rebalance themselves.”
