Nigella on media storm: ‘I don’t speak, I don’t comment’
By Nick Levine
Nigella Lawson has spoken about how she dealt with the “media storm” surrounding her separation from husband Charles Saatchi and subsequent court appearances last year.
The celebrity chef appeared in court last December to give evidence against her former personal assistants, who were accused of fraud but ultimately found not guilty. The trial drew huge media coverage after Lawson admitted to taking cocaine, but denied taking the drug regularly.
In an episode of The Michael McIntyre Chat Show set to air this Monday (March 31), Lawson explains how it feels to be at the centre of so much press attention.
“I’m not an innocent, I understand how it works, I just don’t involve myself,” she tells McIntyre. “I don’t speak and I don’t comment. I could say things and they would be indiscreet but I don’t want to.
“The real truth is that if you don’t read things and you don’t get too involved it doesn’t enter your bloodstream – [and] if it doesn’t enter your bloodstream you don’t get contaminated.”
Continuing, Lawson admits that having the media spotlight shone so firmly on her last year has enabled her to empathise with other people whose private lives become press fodder.
“What I’ve found since then is that it’s given me a far too sensitised reaction to newspapers writing about… other people’s misfortunes. You survive anything yourself but when I see other peoples’ private lives being treated and put in a cavalier way, I think I don’t want to read it and I don’t want to be included in it.”
She even admits she no longer reads newspapers, adding: “I try not to live in the publics’ fear. You have your own life. If anything I’ve stopped reading papers, which I find difficult because I was a journalist so long and I’m a bit of a print fanatic.”
Pictures courtesy of Open Mike Productions
During the interview, Lawson also discusses how she is feeling generally after her tumultuous 2013. “Well, you know, I’ve had better times,” the 54-year-old says before adding: “You know, it’s spring and I’m feeling better and I’m very happy to be here.”
The Michael McIntyre Chat Show featuring Nigella Lawson airs this Monday (March 31) at 10.35pm on BBC One.