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Original poster

Paula Yates as represented in the Michael Hutchens doc

106 replies

lolaflores · 04/01/2020 16:28

I only caught up with this the other day and felt that Paula Yates didn't get a particularly even handed representation. She behaved badly to her ex husband and doesn't deserve any medals for that.
Apart from anything, the relationship was compressed into a couple of minutes. Their relationship was probably more high profile than lengthy but she had a child with him yet the details seemed so rushed through and there was a lot to take in.
No one spoke on her behalf. The voices of the other women were heard but it seemed that there wasn't anyone there for her so no account of what happened for her went unremarked.
The media were absolute trash to them both and the awful clip of her on HIGNFY was shown. They were both hounded so horribly.
It was all a horrible car crash but so many people were damaged and I felt sorry for her kids having to watch that 2D version of her.
I know she is and was divisive but has she or will she ever be rehabilitated?

OP posts:
CuriousaboutSamphire · 04/01/2020 16:37

Who would speak for her? Bob Geldof has long held his silence.

The other women are still living...

Her life was lived very much in public. She was a troubled woman. But that documentary was about him....

CuriousaboutSamphire · 04/01/2020 16:38

I know she is and was divisive but has she or will she ever be rehabilitated?

I don't understand that bit though!

Original poster
lolaflores · 04/01/2020 16:40

Sure it was about him, but the view given of her was not fair given that she can't speak for herself.
And, yes, as you say, who would speak up for her.
And she was there in the context as his partner which makes her part of him for that period of time and a supposed factor in her death and his
It was too simplistic

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PotteringAlong · 04/01/2020 16:40

Rehabilitated how? From beyond the grave?

CoffeeCoinneseur · 04/01/2020 16:41

I know she is and was divisive but has she or will she ever be rehabilitated?

Huh? You do know she's dead don't you?

30not13 · 04/01/2020 16:41

Rehabilitation? You know she passed away yes?

Original poster
lolaflores · 04/01/2020 16:42

I suppose what I meant is whether a time will come when she may be seen in a better light than as a home wrecker, a drug addict, awful parent, adulteress.
Can any other angle be seen of her?
There must be other sides to her that have been forgotten and overshadowed by her death and her relationship with Michael Hutchens.

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Original poster
lolaflores · 04/01/2020 16:42

I meant rehabilitation of her reputation and character

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ElspethFlashman · 04/01/2020 16:43

From what I understand, they had an affair for 2 or 3 years prior to her leaving the marriage. And had certainly had a relationship long before the notorious interview on the bed.

And it was not all easy going thereafter, I do remember reports of them having a tempestuous relationship. In fairness, it's speculated he had a TBI after an accident and had a bit of a personality change in his 20s and could be very aggressive at times afterwards.

It was a mess, caused by 2 messy people. It was very sad, but more for the kids than anyone.

misspiggy19 · 04/01/2020 16:44

I suppose what I meant is whether a time will come when she may be seen in a better light than as a home wrecker, a drug addict, awful parent, adulteress.

^Why should she be seen in a better light with all those qualities? It was her own doing.

Getoffmylilo · 04/01/2020 16:45

I'm not sure more details would have done any one any favours.

Original poster
lolaflores · 04/01/2020 16:46

She was a mother. A friend to some people.
she wasn't just a one sided horrible individual.
Her kids loved her very much but there is only this one side to her in public.

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Original poster
lolaflores · 04/01/2020 16:48

@ElspethFlashman...I had no idea they had been carrying on before that interview.
I am not saying details about the relationship should have been put in the documentary. YEs it was all messy and disastrous but if there is any chance that her side of things will ever be heard.
Most probably unlikely.

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TheOnlyLivingBoyInNewCross · 04/01/2020 16:51

Well, what light do you want us to see her in? The choices she made led to the consequences that have played out since - and the impact of them will be felt for years to come, including by her grandchildren, Peaches' kids. Given the impact of her choices on her children, I don't have much energy left to feel sympathy for how she might be portrayed in a documentary about Michael Hutchence. Both of them seemed immensely troubled and immensely selfish with it.

Original poster
lolaflores · 04/01/2020 16:54

It seemed that she was the one portrayed as most selfish and out of control
I agree. The impact of their choices have had tragic consequences. I am not arguing that they haven't. Its all been terrible but she wasn't the entire architect of it all and it seemed all of it was placed in her lap.

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Fishflame · 04/01/2020 16:56

The HIGNFY was horrendous... Merton and Hislop apparently objected to her because she complained about press intrusion whilst using the media and HIGNFY to plug her book...

CoffeeCoinneseur · 04/01/2020 17:01

I'd imagine her children and her friends just remember her quietly and feel that they can't or don't feel any want or need to 'rehabilitate' her reputation.

It's impossible to talk about some public figures and not discuss or remember the utter car crash they made of their lives.

Original poster
lolaflores · 04/01/2020 17:01

It was horrific to watch but I can't say I felt for her at the time as you say she didn't have to go on the show but chose to. So, you have to take what you get.
Its now that she isn't here to defend herself and no one seems willing to either or simply aren't asked that I would like to hear another side.
If one exists.

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CalmFizz · 04/01/2020 17:02

I imagine the people who knew her personally will hold a personal memory/opinion of her.

What other people think of her isn’t really important to them.

Original poster
lolaflores · 04/01/2020 17:03

@Coffecoineseur...that makes sense. Too painful for all

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Flicketyflack · 04/01/2020 17:04

The story was about him and told from his perspective and those who loved him.

Both made choices as consenting adults.

Sadly it had repercussions for those close to them and their children Sad

CuriousaboutSamphire · 04/01/2020 17:04

The thing about the HIGNFY info is that both Paul Merton and Ian Hislop objected to her hipocracy. She vilified them and still thought they would sit and play nice.

She was, we should not forget, a journalist, a self publicist and we'll screwed up by her parents and their choicws. She was considered by many who knew her to be her own worst enemy. Jules Holland has been quite illuminating in the past.

I doubt, given the radio silence in the Geldof household, that there will be much forthcoming on her. They are clear that they won't let any such thing happen if they can help it.

Sallycinnamum · 04/01/2020 17:05

I really liked PY and still do. Yes she made some catastrophic decisions but Bob Geldof didn't help matters.

Ive read the book Paula, Bob and Michael Too and it gives a pretty devastating insight into the whole sorry saga.

CuriousaboutSamphire · 04/01/2020 17:08

I read that too. It certainly explains the radio silence. Far too much hurt and hurting all round!

thedevilinablackdress · 04/01/2020 17:09

One reason she may have got shot shrift in the documentary is, IIRC, she was the one pushing the auto- erotic asphyxiation story? Other friends/family believe it was suicide - per the Australian coroner.

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