Actor Felicity Huffman is opening up about how the fallout from the infamous "Operation Varsity Blues" scandal has impacted her life.
In an interview with the UK's The Guardian, Huffman bluntly described the scandal's impact as a before-and-after experience, telling the paper her "old life died."
She also said it has been hard to relaunch her career after the scandal, which centered on her and other celebrities, including actor Lori Loughlin, who paid large sums of money to get their children into elite colleges and, in Huffman's case, to cheat on the SAT.
Discussing Huffman's comments this week, the co-hosts of The View agreed that Huffman's punishment, which included 11 days in prison, 250 hours of community service, and a $30,000 fine, was punishment enough and she should be allowed to get back to her career.
But doing so has been far from easy. Huffman said she's barely worked since the scandal, including an ABC pilot that was not picked up.
Asked how she's doing by The Guardian, Huffman responded bluntly:
“How I am is kind of a loaded question. As long as my kids are well and my husband is well, I feel like I’m well.”
“I’m grateful to be here... But how am I? I guess I’m still processing.”
She went on to say:
“It’s been hard. Sort of like your old life died and you died with it. I’m lucky enough to have a family and love and means, so I had a place to land.”
“I’m not in any way whitewashing what I did but some people have been kind and compassionate. Others have not."
On social media, many people shared the take that the co-hosts of The View had—that while Huffman's actions were egregious, she deserves a chance at redemption.
@TheView Amazing, isn't it? America, the country many call a Christian nation, doesn't buy into forgiveness and redemption. Some are more forgivable than others, is it? Hmm \ud83e\udd14 Smacks of judgment & vengeance-- things not held as +'s in any of the major \ud83c\udf0ereligions. #goldenrule— (@)
Others, of course, felt the opposite and were not feeling sympathetic toward Huffman.
@TheView Hmm, not agreeing with ya\u2019ll\u2026.she abused her money and status \u201cprivilege\u201d, from acting! Consequences for actions. The mommy aspect is bull. Yeah, paid her dues. Now Sounds more of whining privilege. Lori Laughlin got a job right after\u2026Its not the public/industry.— (@)
Regardless of the controversy, Huffman is officially back to work. She will appear in a revival of the play Hir at London's Park Theatre beginning February 15.