Here are photos from 2010 of Michael Douglas and his ex-wife, Diandra, as they attended the sentencing of their convicted, drug-dealing son, Cameron. There is no love lost between these two former spouses, and Diandra had her own comeback prepared to yesterday’s story about how Michael claimed that the cause of his throat cancer was HPV, not his heavy smoking or drinking. As a side note, Michael’s rep called People with a retraction of sorts (mostly semantic): “Michael Douglas did not say cunnilingus was the cause of his cancer,” his rep says in a statement. “It was discussed that oral sex is a suspected cause of certain oral cancers as doctors in the article point out but he did not say it was the specific cause of his personal cancer.” That’s interesting because unless The Guardian entirely misquoted him, that’s exactly what Michael said. Oh well. If nothing else, his meaning was clear.
Anyway, Diandra began chomping at the bit after Michael’s interview revelation, so she contacted TMZ to try and make herself look like the classy one. Diandra claims that she does not have HPV, so there’s no way that Michael could have gotten it from her. The obvious implication here is that Michael’s current wife, Catherine Zeta-Jones, must be to blame. Of course:
Michael Douglas’ ex-wife wants to make something perfectly clear — eating out was safe when he was married to her.
Douglas told a British paper over the weekend … his 2010 throat cancer was “caused by HPV [human papillomavirus], which actually comes about from cunnilingus.”
Diandra Douglas — whose epic divorce from Michael in 2000 was one of the richest marital settlements in history — tells TMZ she does NOT have HPV … period.
Guess the ball is in your court now, CZJ.
[From TMZ]
Kaiser reminded me that Diandra and Catherine have always been catty towards each other, and CZJ poked some fun at Diandra’s tendency to completely (and compulsively) overhaul the homes she shared with Michael on a regular basis. That’s a little bit bitchy, but it’s not nearly as bad as what Diandra has done here — even though she didn’t specifically mention Catherine, it was obviously her goal to blame CZJ for Michael’s HPV (strain 16), which is very strongly correlated with oral and throat cancers.
Some of you also mentioned Catherine in yesterday’s comments and how CZJ should be angry because Michael supposedly made it look like he got the HPV from her, and so in a roundabout way, she could have caused the oral cancer. I don’t think that’s what he was saying at all. Michael and Catherine were married in 2000 after a very short courtship, and HPV that develops into cancer doesn’t do so for more than 10-15 years. While it’s possible that the timeline applies to CZJ, I honestly think it’s more likely that Michael had the virus prior to hooking up with CZJ and probably gave it to her. Hell, maybe both of them had it. After all, 90% of sexually active people are exposed to at least one variant of the virus during their lives. Goodness knows that Michael also had quite a rep for sleeping around on Diandra too, so he could have gotten it anywhere prior to marrying Catherine.
Photos courtesy of Fame/Flynet and WENN
Yikes…that face!
I thought it was Mimi Rogers at first. She most definitely doesn’t look the way I remember her looking.
Ever seen Joan Rivers?
Really, does it matter where he got it from? Does someone actually need to be blamed? Or shamed, for that matter, because that’s kind of the tone I’m getting. The positive thing here is that Douglas has highlighted the issue.
It all seems a little crass and prurient to be looking for sources here, particularly as Douglas has a sex addiction background. CZJ doesn’t deserve this type of speculation, it’s unpleasant and unnecessary.
Vagina is dangerous. Women are evil. Womens vaginas must be controlled. Now lets hunt down that Cancer spreading bitch……
Steph- I can’t believe you would use such filthy language! Don’t you know that we should be ashamed of our “special gardens”, and never let that horrible “V” word pass from our dainty lips?
I nearly choked myself by clutching my pearls so hard!
As women we can’t help our evil nature. After all if we get raped it’s because we are so beautiful and alluring that men can’t control themselves.
And if a man does go near a “special garden” with his mouth; he obviously deserves cancer for doing such a horrible, disgusting thing!
Some people…
LMAO! ^This is hall-of-fame commenting right here.
Good stuff 🙂
I agree with the sarcasm, because that was my initial thought after I read what he said.
I also think that Douglas is an idiot.
What he said is moronic and now it seems -according to his celebrity logic and intelligence [the two brain cells he struggles to rub together] – that it is okay to imply that women are potential carriers of oesophageal cancer, when in reality he smoked and drank and has no bloody idea what the level of causation is. It doesn’t help when doctors use dodgy statistics to imply that women spread this cancer either.
I don’t see how Douglas contributed anything positive.
I actually read a hilarious article once on vagina euphemisms. They were split into categories like: Vagina is disgusting, Vagina is food, Vagina is evil, Vagina is animal, Vagina is scary, etc. I wish I could post a link.
I agree completely. Frankly since he is known to have been with many women, he could have gotten it anywhere. I feel bad for Diandra and CZJ…this speculation is humiliating.
Wow…MD stays putting his foot in it. Maybe he should’ve rode the accolades for Behind the Candelabra and went home to CZJ. Just recently, he pulled the whole ‘my son was persecuted because he’s a Douglas’ cr@p and now this.
And like many, when he theorized about his cancer via HPV, I didn’t think about either of his wives; I thought about the randoms that he had during his ‘sex addiction’, which I still think is a cop out.
I agree he should be applauded. Angelina was praised for her honesty concerning being at risk for cancer. MD was bring attention to something that affects a lot of people and is much less known.
gawker changed it (likely under threat of legal action) but the first post on this story actually flatout stated that czj gave douglas hpv. besides which — absolutely nowhere in the linked story was that claim made. i couldn’t believe it.
it is obvious where the ex-mrs douglas spends her money! cannot unsee her face.
can’t say i blame her for making a statement. he certainly did, very publicly, and basically said he got it from oral sex.
he did NOT mention that he has had countless lady partners. nor that he could have been the ORIGINAL carrier, infected his lady friend, and then received it back orally.
she and CZJ are the 2 women most people associate with him.
can anyone explain to me why something like 60%+ men carry the virus and often from birth onwards? is it something that happens during childbirth?
still think it is outrageous women are expected to be held accountable and responsible for something you get FROM A MAN. smh
It didn’t occur to me that CZJ gave it to him, I immediately just assumed he picked it up from a side piece. I don’t know what’s worse, from an image/PR standpoint.
I agree with those who say this is an icky situation despite it raising awareness of HPV. Whatever he was trying to do with this angle, it kinda backfired.
And I can’t answer your question about men carrying the virus, although it’s a good one. I need to look into it. My teenage sons are in the process of being vaccinated for it, though.
HPV is very common and men usually show no symptoms so they unknowingly spread it. HPV is easily spread through any sexual contact and may or may not manifest in those exposed to it. Diandra can have no way of knowing she doesn’t have HPV. All she can say is she has no symptoms but that doesn’t mean she wasn’t exposed to it nor does it mean she’s not a carrier.
Well Michael should have thought before he spoke. He says something then tries to take it back, it’s not the first time for him.
Yep, I guess Catherine freaked out.
ITA I can’t believe these celebrity open up so easily about sensitive topics that badly effects their family members.
I understand there is a movie to promote, however there must be a limit even for an idiot like this one.
And I don’t buy they do it to help others by opening a public discussion. Nobody would change his own sexual habits only because a celeb releases a crappy interview.
IKR?
Jesus. Men everywhere, opening their mouths without thinking.
*facepalm*
I mean definitely a case of TMI, but on the other hand if they (both he and Diandra) were nice, normal people – they’d say yeah kind of embarrassing but guess what? Over 90% of all adults have it by the time they are in their twenties, and you might as well be informed about it and the cancers it can cause. But nooo. Diandra is just an awful….face. And guess what women get HPV from men too…it’s not just the other way around!!!
Women are far more vulnerable to HPV which can potentially lead to cervical cancer. That’s why women must get a Pap every year or so, screening for the P in HPV.
I dont think there is any sense in caring or attacking or placing/deflecting blame for something like this. This is a virus carried by most of the population and its not even contracted or spread in any particular fancy or special way. Completely ordinary sex and even kissing can spread it, so what is the big deal? Who gives 2 craps? Why the rush to not be the carrier? Is it fear of the sexual implications or fear of the cause of someones cancer? Women get cervical cancer from this all teh time, and I dont see any men running in shame. On the contrary, we see men arrogantly strut abotu as if they are superior because they dont get cervical cancer– in a dark way I am glad men are no longer immune so that they will wake the F up and stop spreading it without giving a damn.
It really isnt the same as crabs or something but at least I can see where the whole phobia is coming from, considering how all other STD’s are treated in the public eye.
Yeah exactly.
I’m surprised people are acting all Victorian about this….
Well said and totally true. Hopefully people will ease up on the pearl-clutching and awareness is raised about vaccinations for males and females.
We were discussing this yesterday – I can’t say everyone reacts to the virus this way but I tested positive twice for it and when I was tested a year later it was gone. I even had warts once, which were easily treated and gone in 2 weeks. I used a cream – I thought they would have to be burned off with a blowtorch but it was very simple. My friend reacted the same way and she had abnormal paps but she is testing negative for it now. His ex wife has probably had it several times and was asymptomatic. Almost everyone contracts it. Not trying to preach about this but if she really came out and stated that she “didn’t have it,” she isn’t speaking truthfully. We’re not talking about an STD which is life-threatening or horribly painful. See, this is when I get angry. You have to be educated before you start speaking about something like this. If they were separated as far back as 2000, she definitely could have contracted it and then her immune system cleared it.
There’s no clearing it, it’s a virus in your system and once you have it you have it but whether or not you have any symptoms is another matter. Otherwise I pretty much agree with your post.
My understanding of viruses is that your body can fight if off
It would have behooved him to state in the interview that it was NOT either of the mothers of his children.
For publicity purposes, definitely.
For accuracy, it’s important for the public to understand that pretty much everyone has double-digit strains and you can have one that your body successfully fights off, and if your body beat it in between tests you won’t be positive for it! Most of the time, that’s what women’s body’s do.
Well, I was commenting with regard to his families feelings and privacy. Not “publicity”.
They did have an epic divorce. These two were in tabloid headlines on a regular basis.
I understand the desire to strike out at the woman who was very happily knocked up by your husband while you were still married, but really it would have been so much more classy to just say nothing. I think most people have attributed it to CZJ or more likely the multiple women when he was a young man-whore.
I doubt Michael thought this would have turned into a blame game and was just trying to inform the public it could be contracted this way. I do wish he would stop letting the smoking/drinking off the hook. The message is: smoke and drink your heart out – just no oral!
I have to be honest. I respect that this educates the public on HPV. But if I was his ex wife, an ex lover, or CZJ, I may not love that this Is about my private sex life too. When he spoke about his sex life, it opens people to reflect on his partners. Who again may not want that attention or to share info with the public.
This exactly. And he does have kids with CZJ who are old enough to see this on the news, but not old enough to process it in a mature way. I think he did this by accident in a really crass, sensational way. And I’m guessing it’s because he’s defensive about still smoking despite having had cancer.
“And I’m guessing it’s because he’s defensive about still smoking despite having had cancer.”
My thoughts exactly.
Oh wow, I didn’t know that. That explains everything. How sanctimonius of him.
I don’t have time to read through all of this, but I saw the article a few days ago and thought it was a shitty thing to put out to the press. Stigma or no, and well meaning or not, it’s not just your business you’re putting out. He’s putting the spotlight and a huge question mark on all of his previous lovers and his wife. Crappy, crappy thing to do.
Yeah. I keep trying to picture Brad Pitt saying the exact same thing …ha!
Everyone would freak out on behalf of Angie.
It was classless, I agree.
What a whole lot of misinformation flying around the media, I know, what a shock!?
Totally agree that they are trying to make women seem somehow damaged, like this is the new proof of women becoming “loose” or something… absolutely stupid.
I remember my gyno (this was years before the shots were approved, which he was pro (even mentioning he wanted his sons immunized since they would be carriers), and was pissed that congress at the time was withholding with the nonsense about how it would be like telling teens it was okay to have sex.
I tested positive for a strain (with no symptoms at all) and my doctor said, “unless you are a virgin who married another virgin before you ever exchanged any bodily fluids with anyone, you will be exposed to anywhere from 20-80 strains. It’s a bit like HIV in that it’s any partner your partner or you has ever been with, except instead of 1 disease to look out for, there are multitudes of strains. As far as I can tell, men are doing most of the spreading – I don’t blame his ex for wanting to say “hey, I’m not the one,” since certainly he has had A LOT of partners over his lifetime, but way to take a message and turn it on its ear Micheal!
An attorney at a firm I used to work died from anal cancer that was caused by HPV. He got the cancer 3 times and it spread and it was so sad. He was such a nice guy and very fit. He told us it was a result if coming into contact with HPV decades before.
I always wondered if Farrah Fawcett’s anal cancer was caused by HPV, but I can’t recall if there was ever any talk of that at the time.
Seems like people are dying from something that no one wants to publicly discuss, and also because men as carriers have no symptoms (unless it’s terribly serious like this case), so they don’t see any point in getting tested for it – if the tests are readily available – which I doubt.
I am too lazy to research, but I thought that HPV did cause Farrah’s cancer. I felt so bad for her because it was such an ’embarrassing’ kind of cancer to talk about. And I am not trying to disparage her. All cancer sucks equally.
I’ve always wondered if her refusal of chemo (because she did not want to lose her hair) made any difference in her lifespan or quality of life.
I didn’t think she was pointing back to CZJ. It was pretty well publicized that he cheated on Diandra a lot, and he was one of the first stars I can remember to go to rehab for sex addiction. I figured she was just making it clear that she didn’t pass it along without trying to identify the person who did. Of course, now that I think about it, didn’t he announce his engagement to CZJ before he filed for divorce because her pregnancy was starting to show? Maybe Diandra wasn’t too bothered if people drew that particular conclusion from her denial.
Carol,
I think you are exactly right. Diiandra was setting the record straight because he cheated on her so much during their marriage, and since it has an incubation time of 1-2 decades, she wanted to excuse herself from the discussion. I doubt it was anything directed @CZJ.
michael douglass did not get cancer from women/hpv. gawd.
I love the way the way they make it sound like it must be one of the wives. Like he never had sex with anyone else, ever. And like others have said, it sounds like a witch hunt against the woman who had it, but how many women did HE spread it to?
I agree. Michael Douglas, like his father, was a poon hound. My sister got HPV from her first boyfriend. I wonder how many women MD infected.
And if he is trying to educate the public or try to talk about his battle with cancer in a humorous way, then I applaud him. Unfortunately, he reeks of creepy old man.
Countdown to Sharon Stone making a statement that it wasn’t her. She and Michael Douglas were on during the making of Basic Instinct.
Kathleen Turner too…she and Michael had much chemistry in Romancing The Stone…wait & see.
Kathleen Turner did confirm that they had an affair while he was married. Just confirming the liaison. I still think not even he knows where he got it. Hell could even be from a guy. Straight sex addicts often dabble with same sex in search for their high.
Agree, Michael’s statement was wasn’t worded the best, but what nut would put out a press release that it wasn’t her? Weird right?
She may have had HPV at one point and her body killed it off and she’s clear of it now. That’s what happened to me. Happens quite often.
And what an ass to come forward and say she doesn’t have it. No one cares!!! Was anyone pointing the finger at her? How ridiculous.
How does she know she didn’t have it? Most of the population does at one point or another & some strains actually “go away” after a while. There are no symptoms with most strains. Like someone else said, unless you’re a virgin & marry a virgin, you probably have it.
If every woman Douglas ever had sex with is going to come forward and declare it wasn’t them we are in for a long haul of gossip.
She looks like LeAnn Rimes.
A huge percentage of sexually active people have HPV at one point or another. Some strains of it can cause cervical cancer, so everyone should be informed about it. It’s nothing shameful, please.
I know he’s getting a lot of positive reaction here for raising awareness-but I think he just threw this out there because he’s defensive about still smoking despite having had cancer.
I am insulted by all of this! HPV is very real & is carried by both sexes! My grandsons & grandaughter were all vaccinated for the virus. My only daughter died from cervical cancer. Michael Douglas is crass & crude! To be so flip about somthing so deadly is disgusting to me. Get ALL the facts before you talk about anything. He must think he is so hot that any “flaw” would be caused by all his cheesy sexcapades? I am sickened by him & this.
He’s bringing awareness to HPV. That’s how I see it. I had no idea you could get throat cancer from oral sex. I’m sure a lot of people were unaware of this, so what he did was good in my opinion. I don’t think he was crass or crude at all. He was just honest.
Janie – I am so sorry about your tragic loss. I wish more parents and grandparents were aware and accepting of the vaccine (for boys and girls).
I agree with you…even though it might bring attention to HPV and the need for vaccination, Michael Douglas’ statements are crass and disrespectful to his current and former partners.
So, I know more about the cancer aspect of this than the viral aspect, but I did test positive for HPV a couple of years ago and it’s since passed. My doctor told me that it generally passes in a couple of years. I know that it can still contribute to cancer later on, though.
So do all forms of HPV pass? Or just certain strains? Certain strains are linked to cancer and warts and most are asymptomatic while they’re active. But wouldn’t the likelihood be that whomever he contracted it from is now HPV-16 negative?
Frankly, it sounds to me like she is in the right. When your ex blabs publicly about contracting an STI , possibly during the time you were together, I think you have ever right to respond. She didn’t name names, she just said she doesn’t have HPV. Gosh, maybe her friends read the interview and were concerned about her health?
Michael Douglas and his TMI!
but yrs ago, Douglas proclaimed to be a “sex addict” and admitted to cheating on his THEN wife…that’s where I thought it could come from.
all of those illict affairs
Damn I knew HPv could cause cervical cancer….but not throat cancer. Wow so weird. Good to know.
Also MD gross. Keep it private and stop smoking man! It may not have caused your cancer but it’s not helping it! He’s always been a douche though. Can’t change that.
Michael Douglas is known as one of the biggest whores in Hollywood. I’m quite certain he has many strains of many viruses and various sexually transmitted diseases. He’s probably a cesspool of disease, drugs and chemicals, leftover from the years of bed hopping, smoking, drinking and drugging. He lived the high life of Hollywood for years when it was considered cool and now he’s claiming victimhood by saying he was a sex addict and using the cancer as a way to bash his ex. Classy.
I think this whole thing is in poor taste, starting with his statement. Too much information.
But it’s never his fault nor his jailed son’s fault..
Yes. Because he’s an entitled Hollywood spawn.
This isn’t. Response to @Mayamae up above. I thought Farrah didn’t want to have her intestines removed. It whatever it is that requires a colostomy bag. That is why she went the route she did and it cost her her life but even eemovingnorgans is no guarantee of life and I also believe in living a certain dignity so you will never see me being wheeled around with an oxygen tank or burdening my kids with other stuff. I would rather die with my dignity intact and not try to desperately cling to life
I hope society doesn’t do a version of slut-shaming now when it comes to HPV. The majority of women have the virus (diagnosed and undiagnosed).
And Michael Douglas — TMI, sir. Your wife, who has been trying to stabilize her Bipolar Disorder did not need to deal with this.
Michael Douglas was a huuuuuge womanizer and this fact was well-publicized. How funny and quaint that people assume he’s only been with his two wives.
Why do we think she is pointing at CZJ and not just defending herself? He has a reputation for sex addiction. He could have gotten it a million places.
I personally feel he is bringing a focus on an issue that many people do sexually and hate to give up doing. Any time you actually ingest another human’s body fluids you are taking a chance of getting something. Docotors have said there has been an increase in men with oral cancer and many of them did not smoke. This virus was probably found in tissue samples removed from Mike after surgery. They test these samples for all types of diseases. This virus has showed in his tissues. He knows what sexual acts he has done in his life as well most people know this. When the interviewer’s tape was played, I felt like his answer came naturally without really thinking about who would be hurt. Women and men will have to get themselves checked. Your sexual history is your sexual history. We can’t just stick our heads in the sand about this life-threatening disease. The more educated you are about this issue, the better prepared you will be in protecting yourself and your partner.
lol hilarious.
I must admit my first thought was “my God Catherine has hpv!!!”
Now that I think about it, yeah, Michael put it about it, he could have got it from anywhere – even before Diandra. In which case, both spouses would have it….