Erin Andrews Peeping Tom Video Helps Land Her On Oprah
The former University of Florida dance team member, referred to as "Erin Pageviews" because of the Internet traffic she can generate, made the statement to 911 operators this summer after "paparazzi" were lurking outside her Georgia home. Now she has turned to Oprah.
Andrews appeared on "The Oprah Winfrey Show" on Friday in a 10-minute segment taped Aug. 27. This was her first interview on the topic and it was part of the show's kickoff to its 24th season. She told Winfrey that she thought her career was over after secretly taped nude footage of her began circulating on the Internet.
Andrews learned about the video from a friend, but initially laughed off the possibility it could be of her. After she watched it at his urging, the first thing she did was call her parents.
"I kept screaming: 'I'm done. My career is over. I'm done. Get it off. Get it off the Internet,"' said Andrews, her eyes watering as she remembered talking to her father. "They thought I was physically injured, (that's) how bad I was screaming."
Photos: Erin Andrews Naked Peephole Video Scandal
Andrews' attorney has said the video was shot without her knowledge and she plans to seek criminal charges and file lawsuits against whoever shot it and anyone who posts it.
"I do know that I am a victim of a stalker, because we know that this happened in at least two rooms," Andrews said. "I was getting ready to go work a college football game in at least one of the videos I was able to identify."
Andrews returned to the air Sept. 3 as the sideline reporter for ESPN's broadcast of South Carolina at North Carolina State.
The 31-year-old former University of Florida dance team member was an Internet sensation even before the video's circulation.
Some Web sites have referred to her as "Erin Pageviews" because of the traffic she can generate, and Playboy magazine named her "sexiest sportscaster" in 2008 and 2009. She has covered numerous sports for the cable television network since 2004, often as a sideline reporter.
Photos: The Real Erin Andrews
PREVIOUSLY ON CRIMESIDER
July 28, 2009 - Danica Patrick Sounds Off on Erin Andrews Naked Video Controversy
July 27, 2009 - New Battle Over Erin Andrews Naked Peephole Video
July 23, 2009 - Photos: The Real Erin Andrews
July 22, 2009 - Ciolino Speaks: Is Media to Blame for Erin Andrews Peephole Scandal?
July 21, 2009 - You're Busted! Watching Erin Andrew's Naked Video is a Crime
July 20, 2009 - Hackers Use Naked Video of ESPN Star Erin Andrews to Attack Your PC