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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: Rita on 3/07/2007 9:09AM
First of all, sincere empathy to the injured family for their loss. To Brandy..."from faith to faith. All things work together for good to them that love the Lord and are called according to His purpose." Pray. Be loving. Be humble. Get through this. "This too shall pass" LOVE YA..my sister.
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By: Sandra on 3/07/2007 10:24AM
"Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, put tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering; bearing with one another, and FORGIVING one another, if anyone has a complaint against another; even as Christ forgave you, so you also MUST DO.
Take it to the alter
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By: Rita on 3/07/2007 9:31AM
One more thing. I heard the publicly aired apology several times. It was immediate. Personally, I thought that was fine. It may not always be possible or even safe to approach a family in grief, pain or even anger personally to express condolences or if it is done, we may not have knowledge of it anyway. To those who have been driving a long time and have either been rear-ended or have rear-ended another, we do understand.
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By: mbigga on 3/07/2007 9:42AM
I think Thea should mine her business , she's not related to Brandy, she never has to speak with her again in life, she means nothing to Brandy, But fat people is always nosy in someone else business, if she didnt contact the family thats on her, why would you wake up thinking about what Brandy is doing unless your trying to spark some publisity for yourself. LEARN TO MINE YOUR OWN BUSINESS
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By: Mango on 3/07/2007 9:47AM
Thea! my thea! i always loved you from your days on the sitcom thea. funny i was just thinking about you because your show isn't on anymore and now they have a rip off show called reba and i can't relate to that. as far as your letter goes i feel you...you just felt like any mother would feel and you thought that wild and crazy brandy needed to hear the truth so you spoke it. that is who you are thea and that is why i love you. as far as all these other comments about you. F--- 'em because you will always be the queen of comedy to me.
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By: Bob Burnett on 3/07/2007 9:59AM
Thea, I'm ashamed of you,why? Because you're being a hypocrite. You sent a message to Brandy to the National Enquirer, the paper that should only be used for wraping fish, and you told Brandy to go directly to the family of the deceased instead of the Media, but you went to the fish paper instead of going directly to Brandy. It would have been much better and the right thing for you to do by going directly to Brandy, and I'm sure that Brandy would have apologized to the family and at the same time would put you back in the lime light by telling the TV Media, and not the Enquirer of what you did and how much she appreaciated you for doing just that. Thank You!
Bob
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By: Shant\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ on 3/07/2007 10:08AM
This is a prime example that reveal to us that people in the public eye are not as wonderfula s we percieve. We think they have it all together. If, and I do mean if for I do not know,that Brandy has not apologized then that is simply wrong. This is just common sense. I know that there may be some shock but someone is dead because of your neglegeance. It does not matter that your a star. You are still human and above no one. God forgives. This may be the time that you need to turn to him and reamin with him. Many people have purchased you products includind myself. I don't want to hear that you are allowing an apology to hang in the balance. Of course I do not place people on a pedistal. We all faulter. This is an example. many of us have been in accidents. I got out of my car apologetic. It is not yet the end of the world. Do what is right if you have not already done so.
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By: Diana on 3/07/2007 10:21AM
From what information that I have read Brandy did apologize to the family and that she is very sorry and hurt because of this it was an accident accidents happen everyday.all we can do is do the very best that we can and hope for the best in return. one love to you Brandy. and to the family that lost a family member. Brandy this to shall pass!
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By: Diana on 3/07/2007 10:17AM
From what information that I have read Brandy did apologize to the family and that she is very sorry and hurt because of this it was an accident accidents happen everyday.all we can do is do the very best that we can and hope for the best in return. one love to you Brandy. and to the family that lost a family member. Brandy this to shall pass!
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By: Sharrayon on 3/07/2007 10:26AM
Everybody need to stop hating. Stop taking sides for Brandy and Thea. Both might be wrong. Both might be right. Don't try to be the judge and add to the conflict. Brandy and Thea put aside all differences. Stop making nasty, negative comments. Anything you two have to say should be kept between the two of you. Don't shame us as women be a good image for us. Brandy, I don't know what you are going through right now, but I encourage you to express deepest apologies to the grieving family. Thea I encourage you to have a little more sympathy on Brandy. The way you show her you don't mean any harm is pretty cold. The two of you are women not little girls. Those who stand for nothing will fall for anything. Stand for womanhood and maturity. I Love you both. I apologize if through this reaching out I may have offended anyone.
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