By Karu F. Daniels, AOL Black Voices
Comic actress Thea Vidale sure is a big woman.
And not just literally -- but in the figurative sense.
The brazen funnywoman sent out "An Open Letter" to Brandy Norwood in the March 5 edition of the 'National Enquirer' newspaper as a form of comfort during her tumultuous time.
As widely reported in the media, the former pop superstar is embroiled in a career ending tragedy stemming from the Los Angeles highway car crash that claimed the life of a 38-year-old mother after Norwood slammed her Land Rover into the woman's Toyota in December.
Vidale, who shares in some of the responsibility for Norwood's big break -- her first acting gig was on the groundbreaking ABC sitcom 'Thea' in 1993, experienced a similar situation when one of her four children was in a car accident that killed another motorist.
"A few years ago, all four of my kids were together in a car with one of my sons -- who was only 16 -- at the wheel," she wrote. "Sadly, they had an accident that killed the other driver."
"We were all scared and devastated," she continued.
Elsewhere in the correspondence, Vidale stated: "Brandy, America loves a comeback story. I know you're a survivor and that with the support of your family and friends -- and your faith -- you will overcome this awful tragedy and learn from it."
When The BV Newswire caught up to Vidale last night, she said she had yet to hear back from the 'I Wanna Be Down' singer or her camp, but continues to operate in good faith.
"I don't know how they must've taken it," she said, adding, "I hope that they took it in the spirit that it was sent in. But if they didn't, that's not on me, that's on them. I'm not an alleged Christian and I am a Christian!"
It has been long rumored that Norwood and Vidale didn't get along during the tapings of the sitcom -- and there is bad blood between them.
About letting bygones be bygones, the 50-year-old Washington DC native commented, "Well, if I held on to all of that other bull----, I would be crazy ... I'm still doing what I like to do and I'm cool with me."
"I don't know if you know this," she continued, "but with me what you see is what you got. I don't have a façade. There is no pretense. If I like you, I like you, if I don't f--- you."
"However, there are some people who aren't real," she added. "And just because you ain't real and just because you ain't nice, that don't mean that I have to be like you are."
Vidale also revealed that she heard yesterday that Norwood hasn't even reached out to the family of the deceased as of yet. About that, she wanted to use this forum to address her about that directly:
"You got to tell those people that you're sorry. You can't just sit here and go around shopping and drinking and having a ball in the media and having a good time with your brother. I don't expect you to live your life in a shell but I damn sure expect you to have the grace and the class to say 'I'm sorry.' And not in the media. Say it to the people that you did it to. And don't have your lawyers say it. You go say it. Be a woman about yourself and go and say it. If you don't then ain't much changed!"
Whoa nelly.
Comments: (154)
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By: Lorraine on 3/02/2007 6:50PM
good to see your still around. hope you have some new projects in the works, cause you're one funny lady.
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By: Cynthigha on 3/02/2007 8:45PM
Ms. Vidale is absolutely right telling you Brandy to extend yourself to the family of the family of deceased. Of course, the family is going to sue you. I'm sure the law suit is in progress or settled. Nevertheless, you need to go to let them know your regret.
At least I hope you truly regret your actions. Now if you were drinking or drugs were found in your system, you need to be in jail/prison.
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By: Tasha on 3/02/2007 11:56PM
I hope the best for Brandy and her family. I'm sure she will come out and apologize for her actions. I think she is just very ashamed right now. The victim's family needs plenty of love and support.
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By: bran on 3/03/2007 10:15AM
Thea shouldn't go around believing what she reads in the media. To me, stating that 'she heard' is just a form of some gossip. And also, to me, she's just using this as a way to get a little publicity and sadly enough, it worked. She has made no qualms about the fact that she doesn't like Brandy, she's stated that numerous times. While her words do hold some truth as to being a survivor, I can't help but feel that this was simply a way to get some shine. Why not locate the singer and send her a personal letter rather than putting it in a magazine? Since she's privy to receiving information that Brandy hasn't talked to the family (according to her and her sources), why not find a location to send a personal letter? No, she used this as an opportunity to get a little mention her way as she knows she's a well fallen off celeb.
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By: intelligentlemn on 3/03/2007 4:08PM
God bless the family of the lost love!
God bless Brandy and her family!
God bless us all!
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By: Tess on 3/03/2007 9:37PM
Of course appologies are in order,but when you think about it number one they may not want to hear from Brandy and 2 she's saying im sorry when they sue her ..how many ways or times does one say Im sorry. JMHO
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By: kellie on 3/19/2007 2:11AM
the police said there were no drugs or anything found in her system so stop saying that.People are so hard on her she is a good person .
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By: Salene on 3/04/2007 1:56AM
Why on God's green earth...would Thea Vidale send Brandy an "open letter" via the NATIONAL INQUIRE? :O The Inquire is a tabloid/gossip rag!
I know Thea could've gathered enough coins together to post her letter in a more "reputable" magazine/newspaper.
This deed was done as a slap in the face by a person who isn't really concerned about Brandy or this horrible occurance. Because when the "open letter" was put in the Inquire...that took away all of its sincerity.
Thea still seems to be a tad bit bitter over the whole Thea show drama between her and Brandy. Because if she wasn't i'd doubt if she would've used the words bull....f...you,d..n and christian in the same text(while being interviewed on this subject). Why tell BV you moved on when it's obvious she still is harboring some malice.
Hmmmm...and she wonders why Brandy or Brandy's people have not contacted her? My guess is that they're very good at reading between the lines!
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By: Cassie Wilson on 3/05/2007 12:32AM
Why would you put your blessings in the Enquirer that paper is full of bull...!
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By: Maya on 3/04/2007 1:25PM
I think that Thea has some nerve. These people are suing her for a ridiculous amont of money. Yes, they lost a loved one and I'm sure that Brandy has deep empathy. Her lawyer is the way to go for the simple reason that Brandy contacting them directly could create other issues. THATS WHAT LAWYERS ARE FOR!!!! They are suing her why in the hell would she contact them. I think that Thea may just have put her input in the way she did for publicity. I can't even remember the last thing she has done. I hope the best for the family and Brandy.
Maya
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