Gawker and Hulk Hogan are dragging themselves through the mud in an epic courtroom cage match of terribleness. Hogan almost literally looks like the worst human being ever based on the racially charged and adulterous content of the sex tape released by Gawker. The gossip site, in defending their editorial decision, made some statements (probably facetiously) that make them seem like deranged smut peddlers.
A former editor at Gawker said the cutoff age for sex tapes subjects was four while the publisher claimed that Miley Cyrus’ would be a perfectly newsworthy while Obama’s would not for some reason.
But Hogan’s video was not the first celeb sex tape to be exploited for profit. Here are a some other justifications for releasing the tape.
1. Vivid Entertainment on Kim Kardashian and Ray J’s Sex Tape.
“We are comfortable that we have the legal right to distribute this video, despite what others may say,” said Vivid cochairman Steven Hirsch. “We have been around for 20 years and if we didn’t feel comfortable putting it out, we wouldn’t. We would like Kim and Ray J to be a part of it and hopefully we can work that out.”
Their “legal right to distribute” was very dubious and the subject of more than a few conspiracy theories, but at least they were nice enough to share the profits. Kim and Ray J each got paid $300,000 for the tape and received substantial cut of the sales, not to mention helping spring load the Kardashian dynasty.
2. Perez Hilton on releasing sex photos of Dustin Lance Black (screenwriter of Milk).
“We’ll say it again, no matter WHO you are, do NOT take naked pictures of yourself or make a sex tape. It WILL get out there, even if you’re not famous now and never think you will be. They will get out there and everyone at your work, in your team, in your dorm will find out.”
A mix between blame the victim and everybody’s doing it. Apparently nobody can have fun anymore on a wild night with a camera without widespread public shaming as the inevitable consequence.
3. Red Light District president, David Joseph, on releasing Kid Rock’s sex tape.
“This wasn’t just shot by one person — there were a lot of people holding the camera,” he told Billboard. “Because of that, it’s not necessary that we need [Rock and Stapp] to sign off on this. We left messages for them but they didn’t respond, so maybe they didn’t take it seriously.”
In the world of shady nonconsensual sex tape distributors, I guess multiple people holding the camera is what counts as a gold standard of ethics.
4. 50 Cent (Curtis Jackson) on releasing Lastonia Leviston’s sex tape.
50 Cent received the sex tape from Leviston’s ex-boyfriend who also appeared in the tape. 50 Cent’s contested excuse was that his computer was hacked allowing the video to be leaked online. But considering 50 cent was narrating the tape by making fun of Leviston’s private parts, the tape was clearly released to take a shot at 50 Cent’s rival Rick Ross who fathered one of Leviston’s children.
The hacking story didn’t hold up in court resulting in 50 Cent declaring bankruptcy to skirt paying a 5 million judgement. And yes that was before he was pictured above sitting in front of an ungodly sum of money.
5. Rand Gauthier, the electrician that stole and distributed Pamela Anderson and Tommy Lee’s sex tape.
“We put it in and see what it is, and of course, cha-ching! The dollar signs fly before our eyes,” Gauthier told Rolling Stone. “But we’re going, ‘This is the kind of thing people will get killed over.’”
Not really an excuse as he unapologetically committed a straight up crime. Gauthier cased the house for weeks before sneaking in guised in a yak fur rug and later distributed copies of the video out of his van. But now broke and penniless, Gauthier wishes he had a piece of the love he tried to exploit.
“It was cute. They’re in love and a couple, and they’re just having fun with each other, and I think that’s great,” Gauthier said. “I’m jealous. I wish I had something like that.”