Alec Baldwin’s decision to participate in a new reality show while facing an involuntary manslaughter trial has been labeled a significant public relations misstep by industry experts. The actor, who could face up to 18 months in prison if found guilty of negligently causing the death of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins on the set of the film “Rust” in 2021, is under intense scrutiny.
Defense attorney Timothy Parlatore criticized Baldwin’s involvement in the reality show, stating, “I think it’s a terrible PR blunder. When you’re on trial for something like this, it has to be your sole focus. This trial will be over in less than two weeks. There is no need to go and do these things before a trial in a way that can negatively impact you.”
Baldwin and his wife, Hilaria, have been highly visible during the trial, with Hilaria attending court sessions and the couple being seen around Santa Fe. Their public appearances, including dining at an Italian restaurant and shopping at upscale boutiques, have drawn criticism for being tone-deaf and self-promotional.
Ebony Lewkovitz, founder of Eden Communications, remarked, “Their social media accounts have been a stream of self-absorbed posts about how they are the ultimate victims, and they seem oblivious to how tone-deaf their continued self-promotion is.”
Attorney Gloria Allred, representing Hutchins’ family, accused Baldwin of using his public appearances to garner sympathy. “It appears to me to be a very cynical, calculated public relations move to possibly have an impact on the jury or the jury pool, to try to get sympathy for Alec Baldwin,” she said. Allred also criticized Baldwin for not reaching out to Hutchins’ family but having time for public outings.
Public relations expert Juda Engelmayer echoed these sentiments, stating, “Given the weight of what he’s looking at, whether he’s guilty or not, he should be somber. He should look like he cares. He should look like he’s respecting the family of the woman who was killed.”
Despite the backlash, production on the TLC reality show “The Baldwins,” which documents the couple’s life with their seven children, is moving forward. The show’s producers are reportedly prepared for all contingencies, including Baldwin’s potential incarceration. A source told the New York Post, “We’ll roll with it.”
Baldwin’s attorneys maintain that he was told the gun was safe to use before the fatal incident, while prosecutors argue that under New Mexico law, Baldwin was responsible for ensuring the firearm’s safety. If convicted, Baldwin could face up to 18 months in jail.
The reality show announcement and Baldwin’s public behavior have done little to improve his reputation. Engelmayer noted, “What he’s doing is an arrogance that besieged Alec Baldwin way before this happened.”
The trial has seen emotional moments, including jurors watching police body camera footage of medics attending to Hutchins in her final moments. Despite this, Baldwin and his wife have continued their public appearances, which many see as inappropriate given the gravity of the situation.
Lewkovitz summed up the couple’s handling of the situation as a “master class in bad PR,” suggesting that whoever is advising them should be “shown the door.”
As the trial progresses, the impact of Baldwin’s reality show and public behavior on his legal standing and public image remains to be seen. The show’s producers have already positioned the trial as part of the storyline, indicating that the legal proceedings will be a significant element of the series.
In conclusion, Alec Baldwin’s decision to participate in a reality show amid his involuntary manslaughter trial has been widely criticized as a poor public relations move. The actor’s public behavior and the couple’s social media presence have been labeled tone-deaf and self-absorbed, further complicating Baldwin’s already precarious legal and public standing.
Source: Fox News Digital, New York Post
