LeAnn Rimes' Lawsuit Against Teacher 'Is Bad Move For Her Image,' Says Crisis Management Expert
Aug. 31 2012, Published 12:00 p.m. ET
By Debbie Emery - Breaking Celebrity News Reporter
LeAnn Rimes' lawsuit against a high school teacher for invasion of privacy claiming that she allegedly tape recorded a conversation and cyber bullied her on Twitter could be the death knell for her career and her public image, Breaking Celebrity News can exclusively reveal.
"The whole nature of this puts LeAnn in a very bad light especially considering who she is going against," Michael Bilello, President and CEO at Centurion Strategies, a public relations and marketing agency that handles crisis management, told Breaking Celebrity News in an exclusive interview. "America has a soft spot for teachers, especially when we hear things about bullying, which is a very topical discussion.
"Filing the lawsuit against this alleged tape of her bullying the teacher is not going to play well for her image," he predicted. "Sometimes legal action doesn’t quell the crisis, it elevates the crisis, even more so when you use your money, your celebrity and your power to put the person in a check mate position - legally speaking that doesn’t bode well for your celebrity, especially when you look at where she comes from, the country music world is a very-heartfelt, warm community."
As Breaking Celebrity News previously reported, Kimberly Smiley, a mom of four, now faces the Hollywood star’s powerful legal and public relations team but vows that she will fight back.
“I plan to take my own action against her,” Kim told Breaking Celebrity News exclusively. “This could impact my family and business. Somebody needs to stand up or LeAnn will continue doing this for the rest of her life.
The suit centers on a phone call that the country star initiated to Smiley earlier this year.