Charlie Sheen is expected to make an announcement on breakfast television in the USA today.
The Today Show says the 50-year-old will make a “personal announcement” on the show, and the expectation is that Sheen will end speculation he is the “a-list Hollywood actor” with HIV.
The interview comes after a series of stories speculating over the identity of a star who had been hiding an HIV-diagnosis from partners for years.
The reports claimed the man was middle aged, and had known about his diagnosis for two years, but hadn’t disclosed his status to sexual partners.
In 2011- the year Sheen was fired from Two and A Half Men – the troubled actor appeared on Good Morning America to address rumours he has bipolar disorder. Post continues below:
One reason given for the deception was a fear of legal action, another the concern that news of an HIV diagnosis would end his career.
Sheen, the former star of Two and a Half Men, is the man at the centre of the controversy, Radar Online reported.
“Charlie thought he was indestructible and took no precautions — even though he was indulging in high-risk sex practices,” the publication quotes a close friend of the star as saying.
People magazine is reporting that a “top Hollywood crisis manager” has confirmed the story.
Howard Bragman claims that people close to Sheen approached him for help six months ago.
“The interview could open up a lot of sympathy for him, but he has to be concerned about a fear of litigation from former sexual partners. You don’t take that lightly,” People reports.
Bragman told People that he was told Sheen “is getting treatment, and a lot of people in his life know about it.”
“It’s been going on for quite awhile. He’s not necessarily comfortable talking about it. It was very hard to get up the courage for him to talk about it,” he said.
While there is still no cure for HIV, people with a diagnosis can live long and happy lives if properly treated.
Sheen was previously married to actor Denise Richards and the pair have two children – Lola and Sam.
Top Comments
I doubt anyone is shocked that Charlie Sheen is HIV positive given that he openly engages in high risk behaviours like drug taking and using prostitutes. If he did hide his status from his sexual partners, that's pretty despicable, though again, I doubt anyone finds it a stretch that the man who has admitted to beating both his wife and the aforementioned prostitutes would do something that is morally (and in some states legally) reprehensible.
However, to be honest the number of articles about him leading up to his 'coming out' and now since are pretty sickening. Its his medical status, its his right to keep it to himself (aside from his partners) and this all seems a little gossipy and trash mag to me.
I could not care less about Charlie Sheen. The man was paid millions of dollars at a time when he was accused of several counts of assault against different women. He's had enough of the limelight. Let his children be and report on someone worthwhile.
I just don't believe that so many people would consent to sleep with somebody who has informed them of his HIV positive status. Perhaps a few might but not that many. I think this is a move to lay the groundwork for refusing to pay further money to former partners. Previously it's been hush money and now they'll have to fight in court and he'll contest it.
I don't think he was honest then and he's not honest now either. I really feel for his former partners.