In 2008, Erin Andrews’ life was torn apart by a disturbing scandal involving a stalker filming her naked through a peephole in a Nashville, Tennessee Marriott hotel room wall. In a court deposition video (via Page Six), Michael David Barrett explained that he’d devised a plan to capture and sell nude footage of Andrews after seeing her on TV. He booked a room next to the sportscaster, waited for her to get out of the shower, and then filmed everything on his cellphone, which was pushed against a peephole. Barrett said he had carried out his “pretty ill-conceived plan” because he needed money. However, things went awry after TMZ refused to buy the footage, and he was forced to post it online himself in 2009.
Andrews was understandably horrified. She filed a $75 million lawsuit against the Marriott, which led to a tense 2016 courtroom battle. Andrews’ trial testimony revealed the full extent of her trauma. Per ABC, Andrews admitted to experiencing depression, anxiety, and daily panic attacks. Adding further to the nightmare was the slew of reports claiming that the footage was part of a publicity stunt she’d orchestrated. The material was eventually taken down, but as everyone knows, what’s posted online stays online. According to a computer expert who testified at the trial (via the HuffPost), the naked photos of Andrews were viewed 17 million times. In addition, tabloids ran censored versions of the images on their front pages.
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If you or someone you know needs help with mental health, please contact the Crisis Text Line by texting HOME to 741741, call the National Alliance on Mental Illness helpline at 1-800-950-NAMI (6264), or visit the National Institute of Mental Health website.
