Charlie Sheen‘s frank November admission of being HIV positive on the Today show simmered down after weeks of followups. His initial revelation was met with angry reactions from exes and former co-star Jenny McCarthy, who doubled down with unsavory comments after an initial “ick” comment. Through all that, Sheen mostly kept things quiet on his end, but he’s ready to talk again.
In an epic interview with The National Enquirer, Sheen comes out swinging against the life-threatening disease. Sheen confesses to feeling better after making the announcement but wishes it happened “sooner.” He’s grateful for the outpouring of support he received, and he feels hopeful and sober. The entire interview is a thoughtful meditation from a guy known for outlandish statements. Sheen admits his party lifestyle was too much, but he can’t change the past. He’s ready to fight a public battle and help find a cure:
“It was shortly [after diagnosis] — I think it was the second day — I said to my mom, ‘This disease picked the wrong guy.’ If anybody can fight this thing and discover a cure, it’s me. I will exhaust every resource available to me. I will sit with every expert. I will move forward until something’s revealed.”
Sheen insists that he’s not (nor has he ever been) suicidal. He does, however, admit to feeling shock, denial, and anger after his diagnosis — but he has a plan:
“I’m gonna continue to meet with the top experts in the field and continue to surround myself with bigger brains than mine. I’ll see where the future is headed with treatment. I am in a rare position to turn my diagnosis into a positive … and now I’m talking to you … so that I can reach your audience with my story and continue to shine a light on this disease while brilliant scientists continue to search for a cure. I’ve earned a voice in this life. People have paid attention to me for inane stuff. Now, I’d hope they’d stay on board for something that really and truly matters.”
Sheen vowed use his status to help “change the world,” which usually doesn’t mean much from anyone, but Sheen sounds serious. He speaks of the monthly $4,000 cost for his treatment regimen, and he does so with complete awareness of how that cost is prohibitive for many people. The old Charlie would have scoffed instead of empathizing with other HIV patients who cannot afford treatment. Maybe we’re seeing a whole new Sheen now, and he can make a difference. He does describe himself as feeling “vigilant and, um, poetic!” The man still has a sense of humor.
(Via National Enquirer)
