February 11, 2009 5:48 PM
- Text
Smith's First Interview Since Son's Death
(CBS/AP)
Anna Nicole Smith sat down with "Entertainment Tonight" for her first TV interview since the death of her son, Daniel, in September.
"ET" reporter Mark Steines calls his exclusive interview, which begins airing Thursday, a "veritable roller-coaster of emotions."
On Tuesday, Smith was hospitalized with pneumonia at the same medical center in the Bahamas where her 20-year-old son, Daniel, died in September, an attorney for Smith told The Associated Press.
"She has a slight case of pneumonia," attorney Wayne Munroe told the AP. "We've had a sudden change of weather here due to a cold snap."
In his blog on the Web site of "Entertainment Tonight,", Steines says he traveled to the Bahamas, where he met Smith's new baby daughter, Dannielynn, and was introduced to Howard K. Stern, her lawyer, whom she now calls her husband. In a video excerpt of the interview on the Web site, Smith talks about her son's death and is heard sobbing, "I don't understand why God took him and didn't take me."
Smith: Stern Is My Baby's Father
Steines spoke about the interview on The Early Show with co-anchor Rene Syler.
He said he thinks Smith spoke out now because, "Simply, she can no longer remain silent. She had so much to say. She wanted to talk. She needed to talk. More importantly, she needed to be heard."
During the session, Smith asked, "Why are people hitting me when I'm down?"
Steines described Smith as "very, very fragile and emotional" in the wake of Daniel's death but added, "She's a fighter."
He said Smith calmly answered his question about the identity of Dannielynn's father by saying, "Without doubt, it is Howard," and that there's no need for a paternity test.
Steines also observed, "When you see the two of them (Smith and Stern) with (the baby), you can see that there's a tremendous amount lot of love and connection there."
Smith's ex-boyfriend, Larry Birkhead, claims he is Dannelynn's father and has filed suit in Los Angeles demanding that she be brought to California for a paternity test.
Steines has just returned from the Bahamas, where he was accompanied by ET executive producer Linda Bell Blue to Anna Nicole's "secluded compound." The mansion is reportedly worth $1 million.
Steines says his interview with Smith was one of the most interesting experiences of his 15 years with the entertainment show, and that he learned "fear of constant paparazzi keeps Anna and her support team locked up, blinds drawn, and constantly aware that prying eyes are trying to snap photos."
He describes the gated Nassau house as quite deserted. "There is a pool no one uses, gardens no one visits and terraces no one stands on to take in the very warm night air. Anna and her baby live pretty much like prisoners inside this home, and we were actually some pretty welcome guests," he writes on his blog.
He said this interview with the former Playboy playmate was different from past interviews he'd done with her.
"She seemed calmer, sadder, a bit broken, yet she looked quite beautiful," he says. "She introduced me to her daughter, Dannielynn, and the man she calls her husband, Howard K. Stern. She was a very gracious host in the midst of some pretty dramatic times."
"ET" reporter Mark Steines calls his exclusive interview, which begins airing Thursday, a "veritable roller-coaster of emotions."
On Tuesday, Smith was hospitalized with pneumonia at the same medical center in the Bahamas where her 20-year-old son, Daniel, died in September, an attorney for Smith told The Associated Press.
"She has a slight case of pneumonia," attorney Wayne Munroe told the AP. "We've had a sudden change of weather here due to a cold snap."
In his blog on the Web site of "Entertainment Tonight,", Steines says he traveled to the Bahamas, where he met Smith's new baby daughter, Dannielynn, and was introduced to Howard K. Stern, her lawyer, whom she now calls her husband. In a video excerpt of the interview on the Web site, Smith talks about her son's death and is heard sobbing, "I don't understand why God took him and didn't take me."
Smith: Stern Is My Baby's Father
Steines spoke about the interview on The Early Show with co-anchor Rene Syler.
He said he thinks Smith spoke out now because, "Simply, she can no longer remain silent. She had so much to say. She wanted to talk. She needed to talk. More importantly, she needed to be heard."
During the session, Smith asked, "Why are people hitting me when I'm down?"
Steines described Smith as "very, very fragile and emotional" in the wake of Daniel's death but added, "She's a fighter."
He said Smith calmly answered his question about the identity of Dannielynn's father by saying, "Without doubt, it is Howard," and that there's no need for a paternity test.
Steines also observed, "When you see the two of them (Smith and Stern) with (the baby), you can see that there's a tremendous amount lot of love and connection there."
Smith's ex-boyfriend, Larry Birkhead, claims he is Dannelynn's father and has filed suit in Los Angeles demanding that she be brought to California for a paternity test.
Steines has just returned from the Bahamas, where he was accompanied by ET executive producer Linda Bell Blue to Anna Nicole's "secluded compound." The mansion is reportedly worth $1 million.
Last week, authorities announced that they are investigating whether Smith legally obtained permanent residency in the Bahamas.
Read Mark's Blog And Watch A Sneak Peek Of The Interview
Steines says his interview with Smith was one of the most interesting experiences of his 15 years with the entertainment show, and that he learned "fear of constant paparazzi keeps Anna and her support team locked up, blinds drawn, and constantly aware that prying eyes are trying to snap photos."
He describes the gated Nassau house as quite deserted. "There is a pool no one uses, gardens no one visits and terraces no one stands on to take in the very warm night air. Anna and her baby live pretty much like prisoners inside this home, and we were actually some pretty welcome guests," he writes on his blog.
He said this interview with the former Playboy playmate was different from past interviews he'd done with her.
"She seemed calmer, sadder, a bit broken, yet she looked quite beautiful," he says. "She introduced me to her daughter, Dannielynn, and the man she calls her husband, Howard K. Stern. She was a very gracious host in the midst of some pretty dramatic times."
- 1
- 2
- Next Page »
Popular Now in CBS News
- Teen's Facebook Sex Scam
- The Best Pregnancy Tests
- Pom-Pom Mom Goes To Extreme
- Eight Delicious Foods That Help Fight Belly Fat
- Perks of Five-Hour Energy Put to Test
- Which Yogurts Are Healthiest?
- Cyberbullying Continued After Teen's Death
- How Long Foods Stay Fresh In Fridge
- Ten Healthiest Fast Food Chains
- Could Protein Shakes Harm Your Health?
- "Designer Babies" Ethical?
- Best Low-Tech Cell Phones Suitable for Seniors
- Electronic Cigarettes: Are They Safe?
- How to Stop a Cold Before It Takes Hold
- Can Exercise Make You Gain Weight?
- Best Sleep Positions To Rid Aches, Pains
- Countertop Makeover In A Paint Can
Latest CBS News Headlines
on Facebook
on CBS News
- Skaters still hold hope for Dutch skating marathon
- Serbia urges citizens to save power in big freeze
- Drama, intrigue mark Grammys run-up
- Famed Spain judge convicted of misusing authority
on Facebook
- Adele sings a cappella for Anderson Cooper
- Beyonce and Jay-Z post first photos of Blue Ivy Carter
- Occupy protestors kicked out of CPAC
on CBS News
