Screen Rant had an expert weigh in on why This is Us star Justin Hartley hasn’t made any comments about his rather public divorce from Selling Sunset’s Chrishell Stause. From how the breakup has affected his brand to why his PR team has been quiet, here are the probable reasons why Justin Hartley hasn’t talked about his divorce to the media.
Justin Hartley and Chrishell Stause’s divorce is probably the most controversial celebrity breakup in Hollywood right now. Last November, the This is Us actor unexpectedly filed for divorce, leaving everyone (especially Selling Sunset star Chrishell Stause) wanting more answers. The pair had seemed like the perfect couple. Stause was even commenting on their “loving” marriage in basically every episode of Selling Sunset leading up to the split.
Now, with the Selling Sunset season 3 just released, fans are getting a deeper inside look at what went down between the couple, and it doesn’t look good for Hartley. Selling Sunset season three is largely centered on how Stause was completely blindsided by the filing. The then-popular actor had ended their relationship in one of the worst ways possible... via text message. After watching the new season, fans and the media have been attacking Justin Hartley’s character. Allegations of cheating, as well as other bad press, have caused a social media frenzy. Through it all, Hartley has remained silent. He's surely seen some jarring headlines.
So, in order to get to the bottom of why Hartley has refused to comment on any of the harsh statements being made by the tabloids, Screen Rant reached out to an expert. Brand and reputation management expert Eric Schiffer works with A-list celebs, helping them overcome crises. He is a go-to source for commenting on the latest scandals in the Hollywood realm. Here's what Schiffer had to say about Justin Hartley's media battles:
Schiffer told us that Hartley is remaining silent because,
“He doesn’t want to face a brutal backlash,” Adding, “If he speaks out he is going to be asked questions about why he exited his relationship through a text message [...] to someone who has helped raise his child and been his wife.”
Schiffer goes on to say that Hartley is acting like a “hypocritical prima donna.”
He continues, “He is an example of out of touch celebrity elitism that the public finds disgusting. Time isn't going to save him it will only harden his brand."
As for why Hartley’s PR team hasn’t addressed the comments,
Schiffer explains that his advisor probably told him they need to wait because an interview would be like “rat poison” to his “good guy” brand. “His brand was likable and relatable and since the divorce, his brand has become a dumpster fire with forty-foot flames.” Adding, “He would rather have his face dragged across asphalt than sit with a journalist right now because he has to rationalize why he would exit his relationship through a text message. The public is going to think that’s atrocious.”
Schiffer uses Prince Andrew’s cringe-worthy Epstein scandal interview as a comparison,
"The recent Prince Andrew in retrospect should have chewed glass than sat in that interview," Adding, "[Hartley] is in a no-win situation. [His advisors] are hoping time is going to heal. But Chrishell has become an even bigger global star than him. And therefore the attention is not going to go away. She has a hotter show. His choices and how he conducted himself were stupid.”
Schiffer also expects there is more to the story, which is also why Hartley isn’t speaking up.
"I expect there is more to the story. [He's on] a NBC show so you have different standards. There are less moves for him, which is causing excruciating anxiety."
Will Justin Hartley ever make a public statement?
"He may be forced to because the media is going to escalate and he will be tired of being repulsive. I think he will negotiate something with Chrishell and use that as a statement. Last thing he wants is a bloody divorce battle. That would be the kiss of death."
In the end, Schiffer suggests,
“There is always a way to gain sympathy and it requires him to be a man and take accountability. Right now he is dark, they are only going to go with what has been reported and that he acted creepy. And a disgrace on how he handled the exit of his marriage. At some point, own that behavior and show remorse. He has this enormous ego where he thinks he is above it all and is scared to face the media because of the missiles that are going to come in every side and can't defend.”
Selling Sunset is now streaming on Netflix.
Source: Eric Schiffer, Screen Rant