Sandra Bullock said she is “heartbroken” to learn of the disturbing allegations made by former NFL star Michael Oher, who inspired the 2009 film “The Blind Side.”
The movie was adapted from the 2006 book “The Blind Side: Evolution of a Game.” Written by Michael Lewis, it tells the story of Oher, one of 13 children born to a drug-addicted mother, and his rise to football stardom after being “adopted” by the seemingly generous Tuohy family.
The 37-year-old offensive tackle claimed in court documents that Sean and Leigh Anne Tuohy never actually adopted him — though they certainly profited from his success.
Bullock portrayed Leigh Anne in the film, a role that won her an Oscar.
Now, the 59-year-old actress “hates” that her hard work and dedication to a story that she believed to be true has been “tainted,” a source told the Daily Mail.
“She hates that such a wonderful story, a spectacular movie, and a spectacular time in her life now has been tainted,” they told the outlet. “Now people won’t watch it and if they do, they will have a completely different reaction to its original intention.
“There was so much hard work put into the film that they all thought was the truth and now that has been questioned, it just upsets Sandra to no end that a time in her life that was so special, is now shadowed with a completely different perspective.”
Though this isn’t the only heartbreaking thing going on in Bullock’s life.
Her longtime partner Bryan Randall died Aug. 5 at 57 following a battle with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), a neurodegenerative disease.
The source noted that Bullock is “putting up a strong face and a strong front as it has been a rough patch for her emotionally with the loss of Bryan, and now she is heartbroken in a different way with all the fallout from the Michael Oher news.
What we know about Michael Oher’s lawsuit against the Tuohy family
Former NFL player Michael Oher, the subject of the hit movie “The Blind Side,” claims Sean and Leigh Anne Tuohy never officially adopted him.
According to court papers, the Tuohys tricked Oher into signing over the legal authority to use his name in business deals after he turned 18.
The 37-year-old alleged the Tuohys used their conservatorship to make millions in royalties from the 2009 Oscar-nominated film.
“The lie of Michael’s adoption is one upon which Co-Conservators Leigh Anne Tuohy and Sean Tuohy have enriched themselves at the expense of their Ward [Oher],” the legal filing said.
Sean Tuohy spoke out against the claims, saying the conservatorship was made to ensure that Oher was eligible to play football at the University of Mississippi.
Oher wants to end the Tuohys’ conservatorship and secure an injunction barring them from using his name and likeness.
He also wants an accounting of the money they’ve already earned off his name, a fair share of the profits, and punitive damages.
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“She is figuring out how to move forward from it all, it is just going to take a little bit, but emotions are very high right now for Sandra and she is looking forward to better days ahead,” they added.
Many fans are supportive of the actress amid the news, saying that she “earned her Oscar” and asking, “how was she supposed to know?” — but other internet commentators have suggested that she is partly to blame.
“Sandra Bullock should give her Oscar back,” slammed sports broadcaster Brandon Walker on X, formerly known as Twitter. “She knows she didn’t deserve that s—t!”
“For some reason, the whole blind side was fake thing makes me just hate Sandra Bullock,” stated one person.
Meanwhile, others clapped back, with one saying, “Now what y’all NOT gon do is blame Sandra Bullock for that Blind Side mess. If that lady fooled everybody, even journalists and the ‘adoptee’ how was Sandy supposed to know? Shut UP.”
“Sandra Bullock starred in the fictionalized adaptation of ‘The Blind Side,’” slammed film and TV reviewer Richard Roeper. “It is totally misguided and unfair to assign blame to her for the new and deeply disturbing allegations about the real-life story.”
But Bullock is “really not giving much of her attention” to the online commentary and opinions, the source told the Daily Mail.
“She thinks that ‘It is just stupid to give that any attention, there are so many other important things to worry about over than that,’ ” they said.
