Update: Alec Baldwin is really pissed at his daughter
Update 3 pm: Alec has posted a message on his website, which reads,
Thank you to everyone who has posted messages of support and understanding. Naturally, it is not best for a parent to lose their temper with their child. Everyone who knows me privately knows that I have endured a great deal over the last several years in my custody litigation. Everyone who knows me privately knows that certain people will go to any lengths to embarrass me and to disrupt my relationship with my daughter.
In such public cases, your opponents attempt to take a picture of you on your worst day and insist that this is who you are as a person. Outside the doors of divorce court, I have friends, I have respect from people I work with and I have a normal relationship with my daughter. All of that is threatened whenever one enters a court room.
Although I have been told by numerous people not to worry too much, as all parents lose their patience with their kids, I am most saddened that this was released to the media because of what it does to a child. I’m sorry, as everyone who knows me is aware, for losing my temper with my child. I have been driven to the edge by parental alienation for many years now. You have to go through this to understand. (Although I hope you never do.) I am sorry for what happened. But I am equally sorry that a court order was violated, which had deliberately been put under seal in this case.
Once my book is published, I’m sure more people will understand the incredible strains created by parental alienation.
In the meantime, I’m sorry to anyone who’s taken offense from this episode.
Click below to read the original post detailing the voicemail and lawyer responses.
Update 8 pm: For those of you doubting the authenticity of the recording, it’s for real. His spokesperson released this statement to Extra,
In the best interest of the child, Alec will do what the mother is pathologically incapable of doing…keeping his mouth shut and obeying the court order. The mother and her lawyer leaked this sealed material in violation of a court order. Although Alec acknowledges that he should have used different language in parenting his child, everyone who knows him privately knows what he has been put through for the past six years.
According to TMZ, Alec called Ireland last week and apologized. In addition, the friend of Alec’s who told TMZ this says that Ireland is the most important thing in the world to Alec and that he is frustrated because over the last six years, Kim has "tried everything" to alienate Ireland from him.
Originally posted April 19th at 5 pm: Alec Baldwin was beyond outraged when he couldn’t reach his and ex-wife Kim Basinger’s daughter Ireland Baldwin, 11, for their scheduled phone call on April 11th. Calling her a "rude thoughtless little pig," he left the following out of control message on her phone’s voicemail…
Hey I want to tell you something, okay, and I want toleave a message for you right now, cos again it’s 10:30 her in New Yorkon a Wednesday and once again, I have made an ass of myself trying toget to a phone to call you at a specific time. When the time comes forme to make the phone call, I stop whatever I’m doing and I go and Imake that phone call at 11 o’clock in the morning in New York and ifyou don’t pick up the phone at 10 o’clock at night and you don’t evenhave that goddamn phone turned on.
I’m tired of playing this game with you. I’m leaving thismessage foryou to tell you that you have insulted me for the last time. You haveinsulted me. You don’t have the brains or the decency as a humanbeing… I don’t give a damnthat you’re 12 years old or 11 years old, or a child, or that yourmother is a thoughtless pain in the ass who doesn’t care about what youdo as far as I’m concerned.
You have humiliated me for the last time with this phone and whenI come out there next week. I’m going to fly out there for the dayjust to straighten you out on this issue. I’m going to let you knowjust how disappointed in you that I am and how angry I am with you thatyou’ve done this to me again.
You made me feel like sh!t and you’ve made me feel like a fool over and over and over again. And this crap youpull on me with this goddamn phone situation that you would never dreamof doing to your mother and you do it to meconstantly and over and over again. I am going to get on a plane and I am going to straighten your ass out when I see you.
Do you understand me? I am going to really make sure you get it.That I’m going to get on a plane and I’m gonna turn around and comehome. So you better be ready Friday the 20th to meet with me. So I’mgoing to let you know how I feel, about what a rude little pig youreally are. You are a rude thoughtless little pig. Okay?
A recording of the entire disturbing message is available on TMZ.
The call may cost Alec his visitation rights with Ireland – afterhearing a recording of the call, Los Angeles County Superior Courtcommissioner Maren Nelson temporarily suspended Alec’s visitationrights and set a date for a hearing on May 4th. His visitation orcontact rights might be permanently cancelled.
Even if Alec isn’t legally prohibited from contacting her, Ireland might not want to see him anyway.
Thanks to Oscarwatch’s Sasha.
Do you think this is acceptable behavior for even the most angry and frustrated parent?
- Posted on Apr 20, 07 at 2:17PM
- Permalink
- 128 Comments
April 19th, 2007 at 4:32 pm
Saying that to an 11/12 year old is completely unacceptable in my books.
April 19th, 2007 at 4:33 pm
No, I don’t think it is acceptable. She’s 11 years old! Imagine being that age (or any age for that matter!) and having your father rant on you like that. I understand that situations get tricky with children of divorce but my goodness… sounds like he needs some anger management help and a reality-check! Poor kid:S
April 19th, 2007 at 4:40 pm
My dad had custody of me when I was little. When my mom made her once-a-week call to me, he made sure to be listening in while we talked. She was ofter very abusive over the phone. She would upset me so bad, that I once broke out in hives. So, after that, my dad would just hang up on her when he felt the call getting heated.
Divorced parents can get so crazy sometimes. But it is completely unacceptable for AB to talk to his young child like this. No wonder he has limited visiting rights!
April 19th, 2007 at 4:42 pm
That sounded nothing like him. Fake fake fake fake fake.
The court believes it’s him since they suspended his visitation rights.
April 19th, 2007 at 4:47 pm
Holy cow, listening to that was disturbing.
Ireland obviously knows what her father is like and doesn’t want to be in touch with him. She’s old enough to decide on her own and hopefully the judge gives Kim sole custody!
I have a 6.5 yo daughter and she really pushes my buttons but I have never talked to her like that.
April 19th, 2007 at 4:57 pm
Wow! To listen to the actual tape on TMZ is shocking. I don’t care how upset he is, the things he says are so inappropriate. Anger management issues maybe? Jeez, i think all 11/12 yr old kids can have their moments & be frustrating as heck, but to rant at her & threaten her & speak to her as if she is an adult is just wrong. Not to mention how inappropriate it is to be calling your daughter names & insulting her very character. Way to build self esteem & provide a role model. I always just figured that the things Kim Basinger said were just the bitter divorce talking, now I wonder. I don’t think he should have visitation rights until he gets some help with his parenting skills as well as his very obvious own issues.
April 19th, 2007 at 4:57 pm
u need a license to drive a car, operate a forklift, own a gun or keep reptiles, but anyone can be a parent.disgraceful.a close friend of mine suffered for many years at the mercy of a verbally abusive(and alcoholic) father who terrorised her mother and siblings also and with whom she is now permanently estranged. parent or not, sometimes u can never realise the impact ur words and actions have on others around u. i hope Ireland is ok-Alec should be deeply ashamed of himself.
April 19th, 2007 at 5:05 pm
Kim Basinger has been mental for YEARS!
She has repeatedly kept him from Ireland and I believe has poisoned her against him.
I believe he had had enough…
Research their marriage and custody and its CRYSTAL clear that Kim is a crazy woman who just wants to have Ireland to herself!
April 19th, 2007 at 5:07 pm
And people have the nerve to worry about the Jolie-Pitt kids….and question the way they raise their kids.
If love, care and consistency yes….in 3 different continents with their parents is bad for the kids…then I don’t know what’s good!!
Many kids would love to be and travel with their parents instead of being left home for long periods of time so they can sleep in the same bed.
April 19th, 2007 at 5:12 pm
Has nobody ever shouted at their kids?! A lot of holier-than-though reactions going on here…nobody knows the context of their relationship and how she has been treating her father. Kids make bad decisions all the time and they need to be pulled into line. This could have been at the end of months of obnoxious pre-teen behaviour on her part. Can you imagine being separated from your child and then only contact you have they don’t turn up for again and again, how would that make you feel?
April 19th, 2007 at 5:19 pm
I know this couple have their issues, but the way they both behave is completley disgraceful. I’m disturbed by the call, but I wonder what’s been going on to make a man talk like this to his child? I don’t believe he would’ve done it without reason. Don’t get me wrong, talking to a child like this is unacceptable under any circumstances, but there has to be a context as to why and how he was driven to this.
None of us know the truth so I think we should reserve absolute judgement, but as a general comment, Alec and Kim should grow up and realise there is an 11-year-old child at the centre of this and if either of them care about Ireland, they should put their issues aside for her sake. In a few years, this kid will be an adult, and she’ll hear the truth. I seems as though (from our limited perspective) Kim has been waging a campaign to turn Ireland against her father for some time.
But I do agree with the majority, Alec shouldn’t have done this. It’s horrible to listen to, especially given that this kid is 11. I hope they work it out and Ireland is at some point in the future put first in both her parent’s lives.
April 19th, 2007 at 5:21 pm
omg, I feel terrible for Ireland, having just listened to it at TMZ. I can’t believe he would go off on her like that like he would an adult. And to threaten her like he did, poor girl must have been so scared. Its sad though because I still don’t believe that Alec is a bad guy and I think these problems stem from Kim controlling the situation with Ireland. But now it looks like Kim may finally get her way. Alec screwed up big time.
April 19th, 2007 at 5:21 pm
What a nutjob! I hope Alec doesn’t get anymore visitation. Of all the Baldwins, Alec really creeps me out.
April 19th, 2007 at 5:22 pm
I really hated reading that but what I hate more is that I’ve actually read it myself. If he feels this way it should be kept private and not for the world to see. No I don’t think it’s acceptable that he talks to his child like this. If he feels hurt he should say so but he shouldn’t call his daughter an ass ever. Alec should get in to an anger management class.
April 19th, 2007 at 5:29 pm
and they angelina is the crazy parent…
April 19th, 2007 at 5:34 pm
Alec Baldwin has a long history of anger and rage issues. It doesn’t surprise me that he would speak to his daughter this way.
No one should ever be spoken to that way. Regardless of their age or what they have done. I hope Ireland never has to see or speak to him again.
“A rude, thoughtless little pig” That just breaks my heart that a young girl would be called that by her father. How freaking sad.
April 19th, 2007 at 5:37 pm
He’s taking his hatred for the mother out on his daughter, unfortunately. Kim is a nut job. She brain washed the kid. The kid hates the dad now. Simple as that. Alec was probably holding a lot of anger in and it just exploded. He loves his daughter of course. And at that age, girls act like that. It’s normal. Every parent explodes at their kid at least a couple times in their life. That’s normal too. It just doesn’t seem like that because it’s so public.
April 19th, 2007 at 5:43 pm
Alec Baldwin has a pretty distinctive voice and way of speaking and this guy doesn’t sound like him at ALL. The accent doesn’t even sound right. I’m suspicious.
April 19th, 2007 at 5:44 pm
I’m not excusing Alec Baldwin, he obviously has serious anger issues and no one should speak to their kid like that under any circumstances. In fact given the way he felt, he should’ve hung up the phone, waited until he felt calmer and then made the call.
But I think this is on Kim Bassinger. Ireland is a child and if she’s has a court ordered schedule to speak to her father then it’s up to her mother, as the adult, to see that she abides by it.
At any rate this is just the latest chapter in a gruesome custody battle that’s been going on for years. I think a while back it was Kim Bassinger who was in hot water over her behavior. Bottom line is that both of these parents are far more interested in winning this war than in resolving it. They both need to put their petty nonsense aside and start behaving like adults for the sake of their child.
April 19th, 2007 at 5:52 pm
Wow. With all due respect, it is NOT normal. It might happen in this world alot, but it is not normal, not okay, no matter HOW the child was behaving. I have yelled at my kid at times and been very angry but you don’t get to call them an ass or a pig and tell them they’re a bad person, not if you’re a good parent. You draw the line, you don’t curse, you don’t hit. Yes everyone probably yells, loses their temper. But even in anger, there are limits and if you are a parent, you are supposed to have some control. It is really scary to me, how people are defending this guy.
“Kim is a nut job. She brain washed the kid. “
If he talked to his child like that, he probably talked to her like that too. That message is abuse, there is no way around it. Doesn’t matter what the mother did, or the child did. You’re being abusive, when you attack someone in that way.
“The kid hates the dad now. Simple as that. Alec was probably holding a lot of anger in and it just exploded. He loves his daughter of course. And at that age, girls act like that. It’s normal. Every parent explodes at their kid at least a couple times in their life. That’s normal too. It just doesn’t seem like that because it’s so public.
April 19th, 2007 at 5:56 pm
I’m shocked by the amount of people defending Alec.
I don’t care if Kim is a nutjob, if Ireland is a preteen and is disrespectful, or if she has been turned against him. There is no excuse for speaking to an 11-year-old child like that. It’s called mental abuse.
Perhaps Kim has good reason for not wanting Ireland around her father. If the father of my child acted this way towards us, I’d not want her near him either.
April 19th, 2007 at 6:11 pm
How devastating… he needs some help!
April 19th, 2007 at 6:11 pm
In my opinion, neither Alec or Kim should have custody of Ireland. I have always felt they were both unstable… Kim is poisonous/manipulative while Alec is angry/aggressive – neither of them should have custody of her.
Just my opinion! =)
April 19th, 2007 at 6:13 pm
What a frightening threat !
” You have insulted me for the LAST time”.
“You have humiliated me for the last time”
Esp in light of the recent killings by an emotionally disturbed person. It is obvious that people just uncork sometimes….who wouldn’t want to be protected from this kind of rage and abuse.
From his perspective everything is about him.
“You make me feel like ’s#% t”
“You do this to me over and over again”
“You’ve insulted me ……..”
” you’ve made me feel like a fool over and over and over again
You have humiliated me for the last time
In other words – you exist to make me feel good about myself, to make me feel important, to make me feel respected and honored….that is your role as my daughter…..
To a narcissist all relationships exist to validate and support their grandiosity and reinforce their delusions of omnipotence.
There is hell to pay if the object/person does not reflect back to the narcissist his desired responses.
It is the infantile rage of a wounded soul we hear striking out at the ‘object’ without the slightest concern for her feelings or awareness that such vitriol could be permanently emotionally damaging.
If he is a sociopath instead of a mere narcissist then he would actually intend for his anger and his words to cut and injure his daughter.
The word ‘pig’ is rather indicative of someone choosing words to wound in a calculated manner. He doesn’t sound out of control to me….rather like some one who feels entitled to dump his rage on his own child whose age he seems unclear about….
I find it disturbing that in the information age someone with Mr. Baldwin’s obvious character disorder is so oblivious to it.
‘Humanizing the Narcissistic Style’ might help him gain a little perspective on himself and his impact on others.
I hope Ireland is in therapy to learn to cope with being exploited and objectified by a narcissist father.
April 19th, 2007 at 6:16 pm
I am wondering how this tape got into the
hands of the media? I know the court commissioner heard it, but why does the
public need to hear this abusive tirade? This
is just bringing more embarassment to their
daughter.
I will pray for the guy and his family.
April 19th, 2007 at 6:21 pm
I am outraged. I am disgusted. This is child abuse… verbally. I just cannot believe that anyone would say anything like that to a child of that age no matter how rude she has been to him or what she has said to him in the past. She is a child and HE is supposed to be a parent. Take the high road Alec. You are NOT untouchable and poor Tina Fey… now her ratings will tank thanks to you!!
April 19th, 2007 at 6:25 pm
The second I started listening to it, I regretted it. How sad that this is out there, that this little girl’s friends can listen to it. Obviously it is horribly inappropriate, but no one knows that circumstances that led up to it.
April 19th, 2007 at 6:26 pm
How did this recording become public? Did Kim release it or what? I don’t know what to think sometimes, because it seems that Kim tries to keep Ireland for herself, but at the same time, Alec has a bad temper and acts crazy and poor Ireland is stuck in the middle.
April 19th, 2007 at 6:29 pm
hi,
he (alec) shouldnt have talk to his daugther like that! that is so sad he would treat his daugther like that. he needs help or something.
April 19th, 2007 at 6:31 pm
This might not be a popular view, but I think it’s a little suspicious that the message made its way to TMZ… it was like a trap almost. What kind of Dad leaves that message, sure. But what kind of 11 year old girl or her mother gives that recording to the paparazzi?
Somethings wrong all round with this situation.
April 19th, 2007 at 6:39 pm
oh my lord…that sounds like my dad…
He deserves to lose custody.
Poor child.
She wouldn’t consider doing this to her mother because 9 chances out of 10 her mother doesn’t call her names.
April 19th, 2007 at 6:43 pm
Completely unacceptable. At any age.
He’s lecturing on respect and responsibility?
Hey Pot. Meet Kettle.
April 19th, 2007 at 6:47 pm
You can say we’re holier than thou about it if you want, and I can admit to having lost my temper a number of times with my kid – I think it is the hardest thing about parenting, keeping your anger under control. But in all of my wildest dreams or moments I regret I would NEVER call my daughter a “pig.” Sorry, just wouldn’t happen. Even if she lied to me or did something that made me angry – that is just unacceptable. Period. It’s abusive. He has no right to lose it on the kid.
April 19th, 2007 at 7:06 pm
OK, I can understand parents exploding at their kids but Alec took it to a whole new level. Yes, sometimes kids can get on your last nerve but there is NO EXCUSE for talking that way to a child. What kind of issues is she going to have growing up if her FATHER is calling her these names?
It’s simply unexcusable.
April 19th, 2007 at 7:24 pm
I honestly don’t think that sounded like him at all.
April 19th, 2007 at 7:26 pm
Alright, I guess it was him…
April 19th, 2007 at 7:29 pm
i have yelled a fair at my kids, or in their presence. but never degraded them like that. there is a differance in yelling and belittling.
what also surpised me was he didnt even know how old she was.
April 19th, 2007 at 7:30 pm
I’m amazed that anyone would suggest that an 11/12 year old could “do” something to spark a reaction like that from her father and to suggest that maybe “the other side of the story” means she deserves that??!! I’m sorry but all kids push buttons and a reaction like his does absolutely nothing to strengthen the parenting bond w/ the child. He chose to respond in this manner. No wonder she wasn’t around when he called. It’s been repeatedly reported on this guys’ anger issues and this is just hardcore evidence of that. What scares me is if he’s willing to leave such a hateful/cruel voicemail like that for an 11 year old, imagine what he says to her in person? I for one am glad the courts are questioning his visitation.
April 19th, 2007 at 7:34 pm
Ok so based on that statement, because he’s gone through some hard times, it’s ok to talk to his daughter that way? What a cop out…I don’t care what the reasoning and I am not interested in who is the bigger screw up as a parent, in no context is it ok to talk to your child this way–I don’t care what kind of day you’ve had or what you’ve been through…your child is already in the middle of this NASTY custody battle, and he’s only making it worse by taking his anger out on her…and whether or not Kim “leaked” it is beside the point because whether she did or not, he still said it and it’s still just as wrong…why is it so hard for parents to put the KIDS first and not engtangle them in adult battles? UGH
April 19th, 2007 at 7:34 pm
If someone talked to my child that way, I would want as many people as possible to know about it too. He obviously has a wicked temper and is abusive towareds his loved ones. Was that the reason for divorce? My heart goes out to the child. And the comment the publicist made? He should be apologizing by now, not placing the blame on others again. What a disaster.
April 19th, 2007 at 7:45 pm
Ireland sounds like a brat.
April 19th, 2007 at 7:46 pm
Never saw two more irresponsible parents in my life. Poor Ireland is between this fire since she wasborn. Really sad.
April 19th, 2007 at 8:09 pm
I cannot believe that some people would justify this type of behavior because we “don’t know the type of relationship they have” or “what she has put her father through”
I don’t care if she’s the worst little 11 year old on the planet, what he said is considered verbal abuse and I hope the judge takes away his rights to visitation.
That is ridiculous.
April 19th, 2007 at 8:33 pm
“Ireland sounds like a brat.”
Natasha, how so? Because she didn’t answer the phone when he called? Maybe she avoids his calls because he treats her horribly?
I love how everything he says is what SHE does to HIM.
“YOU’VE insulted me”
“YOU’VE made me feel like a fool”
This is typical abusive behaviour. Blaming, threatening and degrading the other person because THEY feel insecure.
Get off your high horse sweetheart, she’s 11.
There is NO excuse for this, it’s disgusting.
If you’re upset with your ex-wife, don’t take it out on your child. She has done nothing wrong.
April 19th, 2007 at 8:48 pm
How terrible. My Ex is exactly like that. I hope she never has to see or hear from him again. Poor child.
April 19th, 2007 at 8:49 pm
Utterly disgusting. Thats all I can say!! No matter what Kim Basinger has done or said i doesn’t give Alec the right to say those things to his own child. No matter what Ireland may have done it doesn’t give him the right either! Kids, especially preteens, have MAJOR attitudes…of course they do!! But NOTHING would or could ever make me speak that way to my kid!!! Alec has major anger issues and always has. He need serious help. That poor child has such a horrid family life!
April 19th, 2007 at 9:00 pm
It was a personal message so I assume what Alec was saying was true.
11 year old girls can be moody & rude, and some need to be told off.
April 19th, 2007 at 9:05 pm
My parents were divorced and we had similar issues — my dad accusing my mom of turning me against him etc — and they both had a tendency to get really pissed and both could be pretty childish — and YELL at me, and insinuate unkind things, etc etc etc — but what Alec Baldwin said is in a whole different ballpark They never attacked my character. Definitely narcissistic. I can understand why some people can still feel compassion and concern for Alec, but I don’t see how what he said to his daughter could ever be excusable.
April 19th, 2007 at 9:06 pm
First of all, the holier-than-thou parents out there are just as disgusting as the rant.
Secondly, the 2007 11 year old is far more advanced than when we (I’m 36) were 11. If this girl has completely disrespected her father, this phone message was an honest reaction. I didn’t say it was acceptable, but HONEST. And I’m sure he wasn’t censoring it or had prepped it knowing this rant was going to go public.
Lastly, no I do not condone what Mr. Baldwin has voiced. It’s quite apparent he (and his wife) have never instilled any sort of disciplinary foundation with Ireland. She’s running amok and they cannot reel her in. How sad.
April 19th, 2007 at 9:07 pm
And when Ireland makes the news in 5-10 years for boozing to escape it all and running around in scanty clothing to get “love”, people will call her a slut and put her pictures up all over the internet. Heck, look here, they’re already calling her a brat.
One angry, abusive parent, one vindictive parent, no siblings to take some of the flak off her…and the press in her life to magnify it all. I wouldn’t want to be a celebrity kid for anything in the world.
April 19th, 2007 at 9:07 pm
Oh, come on! Look, you all are right. Nobody has the right to speak to a child like that, least of all an adult. It’s completely inappropriate, hurtful, and wrong, and I wouldn’t blame her for not wanting to talk to him. He has anger management issues. However, while none of you have ever, ever spoken to your kids like that, there are millions of parents who have. I’m not a parent, but I have been spoken to like that. If we’re going to take kids away from their parents based on one inappropriate, abusive tirade/display of anger, then we’re going to have to build millions of orphanages to house all the kids who won’t be allowed to see their families. It’s not right, but it’s not exactly uncommon either. He’d be better off in therapy than being branded the worst person who’s ever had a child.
April 19th, 2007 at 9:26 pm
I don’t know who to feel sorry for. Saying that to any child is uncalled for. I know you can be pissed and yell at your child from time to time, but there’s no need to use such language.
I don’t really feel any sympathy for Alec or Kim. I was hoping somebody would be an adult in this but nobody is. But I guess not all custody /familial disputes can go smoothly or be the least bit respectable and grown up like some try to be.
This thing just keeps getting uglier and uglier.
April 19th, 2007 at 9:29 pm
That is just absolutley disgusting and unacceptable. To say that to your own daughter! I had the same kind of thing when I was Ireland’s age, i got called disrespectful, ungrateful, a b***h, and worse by her ex husband, all because I didn’t want to go to his house for the weekend because I had to do a school project with my friend.
That poor little girl.
April 19th, 2007 at 9:52 pm
I can’t believe it took that many comments for someone to mention narcissism. This is about as textbook a case can be. He is obviously a narcissist and there is NO reason to allow him to have any unsupervised contact with his daughter. Kim may be a nut but she’s protecting her daughter from a person who by his very existence is abusive to those in his control – or in this case – out of his control. What a sick, sick guy.
April 19th, 2007 at 10:02 pm
And after listening to the tape, he shouldn’t have called her a pig, obviously, but wow that wasn’t even scary. It read much worse than it actually sounded. Sorry, but outside y’all’s utopian families, that wasn’t much more than a garden variety expression of a very pissed off parent, he actually sounded fairly calm considering he’s really angry. If that was as bad as it got verbally for a lot of us, we’d be really grateful. Threatening, gimme a break. I now actually do feel sorry for him, because there’s no reason for that to have been released to the press or played in court. For all of you guys who are honest enough to admit that you yell at your child sometimes, think about how you’d look if it were taped and played out of context to the whole world. You’d use different words, but what about your tone of voice? Would you be shrieking, would you be angry, out of control, think how bad you’d look.
April 19th, 2007 at 10:13 pm
Reading this bring back my childhood. I had a verbally abusive grandparent, who I saw every other weekend. The thing they said to me made me physical sick; I never wanted to go over to their house; But that is where I stayed during my dad’s visitations (my parents were divorce)
No wonder the child doesn’t want to talk to him, poor child, I hope he gets help. I hope Ireland knows that it’s her dad that has the problem not her; I had to learn the hard way. I blamed myself for along time. BTW, does he not know the age of his daughter?
April 19th, 2007 at 10:16 pm
Wow, we have some Alec Baldwin fans here. Look, I don’t think this is the first time that Alec has lashed out at his daughter since his anger issues are well documented. If this was the way my dad spoke to me, court order or not, I would be dodging his phone calls too. I was once a “bratty” 11 year old and certainly was rude, cranky, and gave my mom plenty of problems – but she never behaved like this. She was a PARENT and disciplined me but did not disrespect or belittle me. She behaved like an adult and did not stoop to my level. I feel for this girl – she is probably going to have lots of problems.
April 19th, 2007 at 10:23 pm
That is TOTALLY unacceptable. Like others have said, NEITHER PARENT IS WILLING TO BE THE ADULT IN THIS SITUATION. At this point, as a mother and if it were my child, my only goal would be to keep her FAR away from her DISTURBED father. NO WAY would he/should he be granted visitation rights/custody/ANYTHING at this point in time.
April 19th, 2007 at 10:37 pm
UPDATE: A friend of Alec Baldwin’s just contacted TMZ to say that the actor called Ireland last week and apologized for his outburst. The friend added that Ireland is the most important thing in the world to Alec and that he is frustrated because over the last six years, Kim has “tried everything” to alienate Ireland from him.
April 19th, 2007 at 10:53 pm
That is shocking. I’m nearly 20 years old, and my parents have NEVER spoken to me like that. They’ve only been calm and rational in what they say. We talk things out in my family *Btw, my parents split when I was seven* And reading this, I’m thankful for a father who loves me, and doesn’t use this kind of language with me. He’s been nothing but wonderfully supportive in my life. Shame on Alec for speaking to his young daughter like this. It was unacceptable, no matter what the ciristances are.
April 20th, 2007 at 12:43 am
He definitely sounds like he needs some sort of help. Maybe they both do, but no one has the right to speak to a child like that. I know it happens, but it SHOULDN’T. His daughter IS a child, no matter what’s going on between her mother and father.
April 20th, 2007 at 1:03 am
It doesn’t matter what their family history is. This is VERBAL and EMOTIONAL ABUSE and more people need to be aware of just how real but hidden this problem is in our culture. Abusers are often very charming such as Mr. Baldwin and no one would suspect them of such behavior. A 12 year old could NEVER process this information and make sense of it. VERBAL abuse is different from anger problems. The name calling and character assasinations are NOT just anger – it is a sign of a very serious emotional problem. I hope the media will make an example out of this evil man.
April 20th, 2007 at 2:01 am
If you disagree with Alec Baldwin’s behavior, tell NBC what you think (select the show “30 Rock”):
http://www.nbc.com/Footer/Contact_Us/
April 20th, 2007 at 3:09 am
My parents are divorced.
When they would say things like this a little bit of you dies inside.
They take ridiculous things like this personally, and to think that at 11 years of age you would have the capacity to manipulate one person’s love over another is just insane. Maybe she’s in bed? Maybe she was at a birthday party? Maybe she just bloody well forgot!
Surely she didn’t do it on purpose!
I felt inside exactly how she would have, I remember how it felt.
Good on her Mum for exposing what a pig the Dad is…. I don’t care who it is, that is appalling behaviour!
April 20th, 2007 at 3:32 am
I agree with Erin who said neither Kim nor Alec should have custody of Ireland. They have been at it for YEARS. I have always felt sorry for Ireland due to her parents public bickering. Kim and Alec are as bad as each other. This is a prime example: Alec shouldn’t have left the message just as Kim shouldn’t have made the message public. How must Ireland feel now?!
Kim and Alec were the ones who came up with the not so brilliant idea of the court ordered phone call. If the phone call is missed Ireland is the one picking up the pieces! It’s ridiculous. If Alec and Ireland had unlimited access to the phone it wouldn’t be a big deal to miss a call.
Gawd, if Larry and Howard can get along why can’t these two?!
April 20th, 2007 at 3:35 am
NO.
April 20th, 2007 at 4:06 am
I am on his side. He’s pissed and in these times kids get away with too much. She needs to teach herself to be responsible if her parents arent gonna. She has obviosly been rude to him a LOT. It’s not like once she went out with friends and *forgot* and that set him off. It isn’t easy for Alec, my dad went through similiar things from my mother. But he shouldn’t call her a pig and I think he knows that, he was just reeaallly pissed. I am sorry but I feel sorry for him, coz of his ex-wife from helll…. I can only imagine how she must be.
April 20th, 2007 at 4:11 am
Ugh, when he says Friday.. The 20th… It is like he can not even see her unless it has been arranged for a certain day and he has to make sure.
April 20th, 2007 at 5:25 am
Wow. Can you say abusive? He needs help. I refuse to listen to the recording, because it will bring back painful memories, of how my dad used to talk to me. But yeah, he is showing the world how he truly is. Its sad that he’s like that. But he’s human too. Hes going through things. And he messed himself up too. Since him and Kim are going through a real nasty divorce.
April 20th, 2007 at 5:43 am
Carenna, no offense, but you are dead wrong! Thats all I will say!
And whomever said he apologized and that Kim has tried to alienate their daughter in every way…doesn’ matter! Alec has anger issues and is definitely is a narcissist and it was abusive. End of story!
April 20th, 2007 at 6:12 am
Baldwin is a NUTCASE. That tape belongs in the public domain. Under NO circumstances is ANY parent entitled to address an 11-year-old child in such a fashion. He is mentally unstable and should be kept away from that poor child permanently.
April 20th, 2007 at 6:34 am
As a woman who grew being berated by her father from time to time when she was around the same age as Ireland is I would have to say this is the most shocking and outrageous thing I have ever heard there is never a reason in the world that a father should talk to anyone like that let alone his child. It is obvious that Alec has issues with Kim but to take them out on his on child is ridiculous someone needs to give him a serious reality check. The thing about some parents is they don’t realize that we bring these children into this world they don’t ask to come here so to treat them like crap when they are here is like a slap in the face to god because in essence we are treating his angels like crap and we will answer to him for that. So all I have to say is Alec will answer for his actions and will probably lose his visitions rights and any contact with his daughter from the courts. He will also lose a precious relationship with his daughter it is sad to see these days but most girls grow up and hate their parent because of things he has done to them in their childhood and they become estranged and its no one’s fault but the parent. So I say watch what you say to your children because it could effect them in there adult life.
April 20th, 2007 at 6:58 am
I have no respect for that man. So sad for his young daughter! The name-calling and explitive language is sick — no matter what has gone on with his ex — remember HE’s supposed to be the adult. Get some counseling AB. No doubt his young daughter will be in counseling for years if this is the type of verbal abuse she receives at the hands of her father.
April 20th, 2007 at 7:40 am
I find it ironic that he calls his daughter a pig. This coming from a man who doesn’t say no to any desserts. OINK.
April 20th, 2007 at 7:49 am
Unfortunately for me, this isn’t shocking enough. I grew up with this. I saw so much similarity between AB and my own father that I started to cry listening to the message.
Here’s how it is: No parent should ever, EVER speak to their child this way. Divorce can get ugly, love can turn to hate, etc. But it’s extremely clear that Alec has more interest in the symbol of his child, and in appearing to have her best interests in mind, than actually having them. The statement released by his spokesman is laughable, at best. It’s yet another stab at Kim, and it openly acknowledges that he is taking “his pain” over the last 6 years’ battles out on his daughter, the one whose “best interests” he supposedly has. Further, the update listed in the comments says that he “called her to apologize, and that he has her best interests at heart”, and then it takes another stab at Kim. It is even more laughable. It’s all about the image for him. Showing him as the loving father, the defender of his child from the crazy mother who poisons her daughter against him (indicating that he’s done nothing wrong)makes him more marketable. I’m not saying KB isn’t crazy, although, we only hear everything that’s released in public. It sounds to me like Alec has been parading around like the perfect parent in public, and Kim is trying to unwravel that image. Face it. We don’t know what happened in their private lives, all we know is what we’re told. If this voicemail is a snippet of what went on during their marriage, then I certainly can’t blame KB for what she’s doing. Come on, moms, face it – if you were going through an ugle divorce after an unhappy marriage, and your dead-beat ex husband wanted to prevent you from seeing your children? You’d do what I would do, and what KB is apparently trying to do. Not saying it’s right, but when you have that much love for one person, and that much hate for another, you’ll do what it takes to expose the false public image they’re portraying. This exact situation could have been happening to me, except my father was happier with long distance manipulation, and didn’t want to be responsible for me full time.
it makes me wonder if AB hadn’t been so concerned with his image, and how he was portrayed as a father/ex husband, if the hostilities would have gotten this far with KB. You can only manipulate an 11 year old so far. They aren’t infants, and they can be moody and stubborn and angry themselves. Kim can rant all she wants, but eventually, Ireland would have had to form conclusions like that on her own, and this voicemail seems to provide more than enough proof that Alec only has “her best interests” in mind when he’s in the public eye.
April 20th, 2007 at 7:58 am
Everybody is assuming that the reason why she didn’t pick up the phone was because he ALWAYS speaks to her in the manner he left the message. C’mon people I am sure he is not like that all the time when he speaks to her on the phone. That just doesn’t make sense. It is a very obvious that he is outraged and said things he shouldn’t have but all of you custodial parents (mainly moms) are so bent on being the only parent and alienating the other parent that his reaction is ALMOST comprehensible. And by almost I mean the part about being a “pig” is not appropriate. And so what if he is a narccisist? If having a psychological problem were sufficient to take away parental rights then nobody would have their kids. Has anybody ever herad of PAS-Parental Alienation Syndrome. Look it up people. I can’t believe noboby brought it up yet, but that’s because this blog is read by women who are probably engaging in alienating their children….right……NOW
April 20th, 2007 at 8:01 am
I’m just glad they only had 1 child. Its a shame that Ireland has to be put in the middle of this vicious divorce.
April 20th, 2007 at 8:09 am
Am I one of the only ones who don’t think that his outburst was all that inappropriate? Maybe he should have held off on the name calling, but some kids need an outburst to get through to them. All this man wants is to speak to his daughter, and for whatever reason, she intentionally turned it off when they planned a phone call. I don’t know about you, but that would “piss” me off too. If he doesn’t tell her how he feels, she will continue to do it, and continue to be a spoiled little brat.
April 20th, 2007 at 8:11 am
Bravo Julie, just wanted to let you know I loved your post.
April 20th, 2007 at 9:15 am
He definitely has always had some anger management issues but I think Kim released this to the media and that’s not right either. This is a private family situation and only the judge should listen to this. I feel bad for Ireland being in the middle of all of this. Poor girl.
April 20th, 2007 at 9:24 am
The message Alec left his daughter is horrible, but I am almost more pissed off with his “apology.” He tried to blame the entie incident on his ex-wife. Dude, just man up and admit that you snapped-don’t try to blame it on someone else or justify your actions.
April 20th, 2007 at 9:26 am
Anger at Kim is no excuse to speak to Ireland like that. If he really believed Kim was interfering the appropriate course of action is to document all the times the scheduled calls did not take place and present that at a hearing.
Ireland is too young to control her schedule so clearly it is Kim’s responsibility to make sure that the call happens.
The name calling, the cursing is completely out of control.
Sometimes our children embarrass us, insult us, and hurt our feelings. And no – parents are not supposed to just accept it. However, part of the responsibility of being a parent means that you have to maintain self-control.
That poor child was probably scared to death.
I can’t believe people are trying to defend the indefensible. Maybe she is a brat – but he is her dad and he helped make her that way. Now he has to find a way to deal with her behavior constructively.
BTW, for those who defend Alec – would you allow a stranger (or even a teacher, coach) to speak to your child that way? Just because he’s her father and his feelings are hurt, that does NOT give him a free cuss out card. The fact that this is her father makes it all the more disgusting
April 20th, 2007 at 9:26 am
I think that this whole thing between Alec and Kim is wrong on both parts. I know what it’s like to go though divorce and have children involved and as an Adult and for the sake of my kids I could have made things really bad if I chose to act like an immature selfish person. Parents who break up and divorce and only think about their hurt and pain and totally forget about what their actions, emotions, and behavior does to the children they share. Yes it hurts when the love of your life breaks up and depending on the circumstances, but when children are involved you have to think about what is the best way for your children to survive thru this all with as little of pain as possible. Their lives have been turned upside down and shattered in to millions of pieces and the worst thing a parent can do is add to that by not putting them before your own pain. Your an adult they are not. You can get thru the pain maturely and know how to deal with it where children do not. There are are groups out there to help you get thru all that pain and understand and give you support as well as groups that do that same thing for your children. What happens between you and your spouse needs to stay just that between you and your spouse and your children do not need to be the butt of it all. They are very smart and they feel the tention and hear it and see it. Both Alec and Kim are in the wrong … Alec for the way he displayed his anger towards his child and Kim for releasing this trash for all public to see… Did either of them think about the harm they put their child in? I think not.
April 20th, 2007 at 9:33 am
WOW I listened to it this morning and was shocked. I can’t believe how many people are excusing this behavior. I don’t care if the mother has brainwashed his daughter or whatever as some of you say and that she is a horrible person. Sounds like he should have been taking it up with her and not his 11 year old daughter. And really not answering the phone? That deserves this treatment?
April 20th, 2007 at 9:37 am
I do not if kim basinger is mental or not….my problem with this situation is the fact that he is calling his child this… young girl who is getting told by her FATHER that she is a pig….it is one thing to disrespect the mother near the child….that I heard for many years until the day I asked my father to stop, but to degrade your child this way is…unacceptable!!!
April 20th, 2007 at 9:53 am
I just heard this all on the radio this morning. I look a little like this: I believe that all parents reach their breaking point. I know for the fact that Kim Bassinger and Alex Baldwin have had a very public divorce/custody battle. I believe that they are using their daughter as a pawn. I think that he had reached his breaking point. It appeared that he was at his wits end with trying to reach his daughter. Apparently this was not the first time that he tried to reach her. It has to be frustrating for him to live on the other side of the country and only has court appointed phone calls. I am not condoning him calling his daughter a pig, and yelling at her, but he was obviously at the wits end. I also think it is worse that Kim released the tapes. I think that it was very irresponsible on her part. The children at her daughter’s school will hear the tapes. I just think that it was kind of irresponsible. I also think that there are three sides to every story. So before anyone jumps to conclusions we should remember that. I also have two sons ages, 9, and 10, and they can be very vindictive, and it is hard not to lose your patience with them.
April 20th, 2007 at 10:01 am
That’s child abuse,and unacceptable,but he has always been a self centered abusive person anyways,I don’t blame kim for wanting to protect her daughter.
April 20th, 2007 at 10:05 am
I’m not saying Kim’s not a wacko, but I seem to remember how quite a few people have had issues with Alec and couldn’t work with him – seems to me that regardless of who’s the most mental out of the two crazies – they need to let Ireland decide where she feels she needs to be and stop treating her like a personal toy to fight over.
April 20th, 2007 at 10:18 am
Gee, I love how the people who are telling us not to judge Alec Baldwin based on one phone call are using that same phone call as evidence that Ireland must be an out-of-control brat. Because she didn’t pick up the phone? Once? That makes her a terrible wretch? Good lord, I’m tough on teenagers, but I’m not *that* tough. The only evidence you have that Ireland is a “bad” kid is Alec Baldwin’s word, and given that he finds it appropriate to call his 11-year-old child a “pig,” I myself would be inclined to question his judgment.
Do I sympathize with parents who are kept from their children? Yes, greatly. But I also think that parents with severe anger management problems – male or female – should have limited contact with their children until such a time that they manage to control their anger, at least around their children. (I’d actually say that far too little of this is done in cases when the mother has the anger management issues.) If Alec treats Kim the way he appears to treat Ireland here, I can see why she’d want to limit his contact with the kid.
As for those of you saying that sometimes kids need an outburst to get through to them…sure. An outburst saying the equivalent of, “I love you, but your behavior is NOT acceptable.” Calling someone a “pig” is not an expression of love, frustrated or otherwise – it’s an expression of denigration and hate. Outbursts like this have one of two potential results: 1) the recipient feels worthless; 2) the recipient feels angry. Sure, it can be hard not to lose your patience with children…but if you’re not able to keep your temper when dealing with kids, DON’T HAVE THEM. You are the ADULT. You have certain privileges and rights because of that that your child does not have. With those rights come certain responsibilities…one of which is not to call your children names or denigrate their other parent.
April 20th, 2007 at 10:43 am
What’s absolutely MOST disturbing is to see how judgmental nearly every post here has been. Narcissist?! Please! Psychologists and counselors tell you to let the other person know how their behavior has made you feel – to talk about your feelings – and now doing so makes you a narcissist?! Wow, can’t win eh? Right or wrong, he certainly blew his stack – of that, there is no doubt. However, anyone who would actually *listen* to his statements and then apply some sensible logic would understand that he was clearly at his wits end with, at the very least, a disrespectful child – who has done this “time and time again”. Should he have called her a pig? Absolutely not. Should he have told her how thoughtless she was and how her actions (or shall we say inaction) negatively affected him? Absolutely yes. Narcissistic – NOT HARDLY!
April 20th, 2007 at 11:00 am
This type of anger directed at an 11 year old is totally out of line. 11 years olds regularly do things that upset their parents. That does not give the parent an excuse to act like a 5 year old. Also, it is never, ever appropriate for one parent to drive a wedge between a child and the other parent by verbally abusing the other parent to the child – that is just immaturity in its purest form. The child is NOT responsible for any of this. The 2 jerk parents are the ones who have created the entire volatile situation. For him to drag his daughter through the dirt like that is appalling. I think Alec Baldwin can join the ranks of Micheal Richards & Imus and consider him self to have egg all over his face and therefore be disgraced from further public appearances. And with respect to his comment about to his little girl….. “this is the last time you will humiliate me” (what a baby!!!) – I don’t think so, Alec. I guess you didn’t forsee how this little incident may be the last time your daughter “humiliates” you because it is actually you who have humiliated yourself and it is you who will have to permanantly stuff a wad of rags down your own throat to keep yourself from saying anything else to stupid and immature. But I’m sure you will find a way to blame this on your daughter too.
April 20th, 2007 at 12:50 pm
I know this is a controversial issue and I know nothing about niether Kim nor Alec; but I firmly believe that there are situations in which this behavior is acceptable. I grew up with divorced parents and my mother had custody. My father loved me very much and simply had a bit of a temper so I, being a manipulative teenager that realized I could use the divorce to my advantage, refused to speak with him for years. He was devastated and oftentimes would leave messages on the phone similar to the one Alec left his daughter. I understand Alec’s pain in not being able to communicate with his daughter. He may just love her so much and be so hurt that he does not know any other way to cope. I regret the way I acted towards my father and now realize that without his influence I would be nowhere in life. My mother was so lenient that I could have spent most of my teenage years drunk on the couch of a random kids house after some party. If my father hadn’t been so insistant on seeing me, helping me, and motivating me I would not be in one of the top tier colleges right now. After our reconciliation I finally understood how much he cared about me when he would fly out for a weekend just to see me or leave important meetings to help me with my homework. This could just be an expression of an estranged father’s pain. Sometimes, children do need a forceful statement to understand their behavior. I do not believe it’s a good thing to call a child a “pig” and such, but we must learn to sympathize with his situation rather than focusing on the language and automatically blaming Alec.
April 20th, 2007 at 12:55 pm
Okay, I’ve been a visitor to this site for a long time, but I’ve never posted before. I am only taking a second to post now because I, too, can’t believe how many people are defending Alec. We don’t know the situation, this is true. But no matter what the situation, you DO NOT talk to a child like that. It’s not just him saying “I’m disappointed in you.” in a harsh voice. He THREATENS her repeatedly by telling her that he’s coming to “straighten her out” on Friday the 20th and rather then figuring he’s just going to give her a good, stern talking to, it just sounds more like a threat to me, but I am not making assumptions. Reguardless, you do not name call..I mean, come on, calling an 11 year old girl a “pig” is enough to make her never want to eat again, whether he meant it about her weight or not, which he probably didn’t, but hormones are flying and little girls at that age are especially emotional and sensitive. Parents lose their cool, they blow up, that is normal..but talking to a child like this is NOT okay..it is verbal abuse and it isn’t just like snapping and telling your 12 year old to “SHUT UP!” when you lose your patience and quickly realize you were wrong. Alec keeps going on and on..does he even hear himself? Ridiculous.
April 20th, 2007 at 1:13 pm
Ok this tape really was NOT as bad as I was led to believe. I ended up hearing it this morning on the news and I can’t believe this is even an issue. The only thing I was bothered by was when he called Kim names.
It seems like he was upset by his daughter because she had been calling him during the day and he rushes to call her back, thinking it’s important, and then when he does, she can’t be bothered to pick up his calls for hours, until the end of the night, and the “pig” was in context with her being rude, not anything else.
If this happened several weeks ago…it causes me to think that Basinger has been holding this over Alec’s head threatening to release it. Perhaps he ticked her off and she made good on her threat. Alec & Kim both need professional help at this point. Alec was wrong for saying these things and Kim was just as wrong for putting this out in public. She got her revenge but at her child’s expense. This should be a private matter..the whole world shouldn’t see or hear all of this playing out. They both need to re-evaluate what is important because apparently it isn’t their child.
April 20th, 2007 at 1:36 pm
Okay I am not reading through 92 post on this subject however I must say that the tape is unacceptible. No matter what your feelings are for your ex wife you do not take your anger out on your 11 year old daughter. She’s the innocent one stuck in the middle of a custody battle. And the two of them (not just alec) need to get their priorties straight and put their differences aside for Ireland. I would feel hurt if my father talked to me like that and he should be ashamed. I can understand he’s angry, hurt and feeling betrayed by Kim but you do not say those things to a child. It is not her fault. I think that both parents need some counseling. It wouldn’t hurt. And I hope things work out peacefully for Irelands sake.
April 20th, 2007 at 1:37 pm
What is really sad is that obviously there are a lot of people in this country who have been spoken to like this or do speak to their children this way and think it is acceptable.
Abuse runs rampant.
It is NEVER ok to speak to a child or another human being in this manner–temper or not. Anyone who thinks so should needs to learn more about verbal abuse and its forms and have enough self-respect to stop the cycle.
April 20th, 2007 at 1:44 pm
While this message is unacceptalbe on Baldwin’s behalf – shame on Bassinger’s camp for leaking this to the public. How embarrassing for poor Ireland. You know she’ll be asked about this at some point in her life. Now she’ll have to answer publicly about her private issues regarding her terribly insensitive parents. Divorce is not good for any family member – parent or child. But come on! Kim and Alec – you are the grown ups – set an example for your beautiful daughter that she is the center of your universe and you will work together to make sure she is secure, loved, and protected as she walks through this world. Remember – you are raising a woman – not a child. Shame on both of you.
April 20th, 2007 at 2:33 pm
I had a very abusive father growing up and I know that the words he said were very inappropriate and very hurtful on her… on the other hand, i know how much i love my own children and if i were seperated from the how frusterating that would be to look forward to talking to them and not being able too.. i understand him being upset but hopefully he can learn from this and try other approaches. i think everyone has their moments and regrets, but not everyone has their wrong doings publicly aired. as for who leaked it, i could believe kim would be behind this. there are parents who work together for their childs well being, and parents who make it so much more difficult than it has to be. i have a step daughter and her mom is awful but i always show respect when my s.daughter is around so she doesn’t have to pick a side and she knows that we will always be there for her no matter what.
April 20th, 2007 at 2:48 pm
Not once did he mention in his “apology” letter that he is sorry for any emotional stress and harm this has caused his little girl. He does not mention her anywhere, it all focuses on HIM. He uses a lot of “I”s and “me”s in this letter. Frankly I don’t care what you’ve been put through these last few years Alec, your daughter has nothing to do with what you and Kim have been battling out. To take out his anger and frustration in such a callous and disconnected way, calling his baby girl a “pig” is abhorrant. We all get frustrated with our children at times, but we don’t all resort to abusive name calling as a means to deal with it.
And then threatening to fly out from New York to L.A.: “I am going to get on a plane and I am going to straighten your ass out when I see you.” It implies one of two things: either he’s going to verbally lash out at her in person or physically. Or both. This really upsets me and forces me to wonder if he has made threats like this before to her behind closed doors. I don’t believe that something like this was a once in a blue moon “never happened before, will never happen again” kind of thing. Growing up with a verbally abusive father who made threats regularly, Alec’s phone message reminds me of him. I think this is a hint of the anger management problems this man may have. I don’t know anything about Kim and all this gossip that she’s this crazy person, but if he would say these things to his little girl, imagine how he spoke to his once-wife when she angered him.
April 20th, 2007 at 3:00 pm
I don’t have a problem with him being angry with his daughter, heck that happens to us all as parents, but I do have a problem with how he verbally attacked, called her names (totally inexcusable), and kind of make threats to her. All he had to say was I am frustrated and disappointed and angry. I really think he took it way too far. He had to know that Kim was going to find out what had happened either from Ireland herself or from listening to the message herself and that it would be used against him. He really needs to seek some major counseling. In fact, I bet all three of them could use it!
In his latest attempt at an appology for his words and actions, I must say I am disgusted with the way the he added the shamless plug about his book at the end. Come one, this is supposed to be about Ireland not drumming up publicity for some stupid book, which I hope no one even buys (I know, wishful thinking).
April 20th, 2007 at 3:30 pm
WHATEVER—I don’t care what he says, I still think he’s a mean person with an ugly heart.
April 20th, 2007 at 3:50 pm
I’ve been through this with my mom and again with my brothers when my mom and step dad split… There is no call for the things he said to his daughter… No parent has the right to treat their child that way… I know first hand the damage that it can cause that child… It’s pure and simple abuse no matter what way you look at it… I don’t care what Kim has done to him, it doesn’t give him the right to act like that… and IMO that apology letter is nothing more then a slap in the face… It just shows that the only person he cares about is himself….
April 20th, 2007 at 4:04 pm
What I find so alarming about this is that Alec mentions that he feels bad this was leaked because of the effect if will have on his child, and yet he never mentions being sorry that he said such awful things to his child. I also find it alarming that he would write a book about this situation – how is that in the best interest of his child. I can see why Kim is trying to keep this man away from Ireland.
April 20th, 2007 at 4:28 pm
Well, I can only say from personal experience that I was a nasty little 11 thru 15 year old and I believe part of it was due to the horrendous verbal abuse I suffered from my drunken, mentally ill father. Imagine being 10 and 11 and bein called a “f****** c***” or a “nasty sl**”, told you were worthless, stupid, etc. (My mother and father are STILL married)
If he is calling her names, obviously it is making her feel bad, and probably making her act out. And when she acts out, he feeds on it and its a cycle. Or instead of dealing with the verbal abuse she just doesn’t answer the phone.
Everyone is saying “She’s only 11 or 12 years old” Personally, when I was that age, I knew what EXACTLY what my father was drinking, smoking, etc. I knew EXACTLY what his mental problems were. I KNEW HE WAS SICK!!
I think it depends on the child, but today, 11 or 12 is not that young. She isnt a baby, especially with what she is having to deal with. It sucks that she is having to grow up that fast, having someone talk to her like that, and it’s out here for us to read.
No way am I saying its ok, because once you step over the line, its easy to do it again. No matter what words he is using, if they are said in a threatening way, its scary. But I think that people throw the “abuse” word around a little too easily.
Just my opinions…
April 20th, 2007 at 5:14 pm
So he blames the situation and this incident on his ex wife, and her violation of the gag order in allowing the media to get ahold of this tape, if she was the one who released it. Then he proceeds to say that everyone will understand his pain when his book comes out? That’s not a violation of the gag order? Writing a book? Please. These two both seem extremely immature and selfish in how they deal with each other which has to have an affect on Ireland no matter how you slice it. There is no excuse for his abusive rant, it was wrong. But there is also no excuse for the way neither of them seems to look out for the childs best interests. What appears narcissistic is that he doesn’t just go on about I feel this or i feel that like a counselor would advise you to do to express feelings, rather he places blame excessively. “you make me feel like s***!”, “you are a pig” etc. How about taking a little responsibility. Not everything is always everyone elses fault. I may not have a perfect family, but this makes me sad.
April 20th, 2007 at 5:24 pm
Baldwin’s supporters say that he loves his daughter and he just reached the end of his rope, that it was okay to talk to the “brat” like that. Well, they are totally wrong. It is NEVER acceptable to speak to a child like that (and this loving father apparently does not even know the age of his beloved daughter???).
Quite a few people mention that he called her a pig, as if that were the only insulting thing he said. Yes, that was bad, extremely bad. But he also told her she was stupid. So, he attacked both her physical appearance and her mental capabilities–just about every part of her, in fact. And at an age when young girls are already struggling with self-esteem issues. What a loving father. And to top it all off, he threatens to straighten out her ass when he comes to visit. Wow, what daughter would not be able to see through the surface of his comments and know how much he loved her? (Yes, that was pure sarcasm.) And I am sure she will be very happy to see him when he comes to visit, and to answer every call.(Sarcasm again.)
Many people have mentioned that they would not allow anyone to speak to their children like that, not even a stranger. Think how much WORSE it would be if your child was spoken to that way by HER OWN FATHER, who is supposed to love her sooooooo much, as he says. Think of the emotional scars that would leave.
To top it all off, his rant is all about him. His daughter has humiliated him for the last time, he says. Poor, poor him–he has had to drop everything to try and get to a phone to call her at the appointed time….puh-leeze, as if it should be that difficult for him to find a phone, especially if he knows when he is supposed to call and he has a cell phone. Maybe he needs to plan his day better? Obviously, that was a lying, blatant attempt to put his daughter on a guilt trip.
If he was frustrated, if Ireland had pushed him to the end of his rope, if she had been disrepectful, whatever–she is the CHILD, he is suppposed to be the adult. He should be mature enough to control any disappointment or frustration he may have been feeling (though, it seems that he was just pissed that he was not in control of the sitatuion–a real control freak). Any parent can express disappointment, frustration, even anger, and every parent probably has–but a truly loving dad, such as he portrays himself to be, would NEVER speak to his daughter, whom he says he loves so much, like that.
I have raised four children by myself for the past 14 years, and believe me, I know that children can be frustrating. I have reached the end of my rope a zillion times. I have more than likely had a lot more to put up with than Baldwin ever has (yes, the ex is a psycho who has tried to alienate the children from me, blacken me in their eyes as much as possible). But NEVER have I insulted my children, regardless of any situation.
And then he blames it all on Kim. Okay, maybe their divorce was bitter, and the custody fight was and is brutal. It is inappropriate to take it out on the child. Baldwin needs to take responsibility for his own actions. He did this–Kim did not pull any strings or control his mouth as he spewed the insults and vitriol out on his daughter. He mistreated and abused his daughter all by himself.
But he does not take responsibility for his actions, he blames his ex-wife both during his diatribe and in his pathetic attempt at an apology. Again, he did this all… by… himself.
Speaking as a parent, I say that Baldwin needs to quit blaming others for his actions, and work on some pretty serious anger issues, abusive behavior, control freak issues, and self-centeredness issues before he should be allowed into any position where he is able to do further harm to his daughter.
April 20th, 2007 at 5:36 pm
One of the Ten Commendments: “Honor thy mother & father.” Did daughter Ireland dishonor her father by not answering his call? Yes!
Do pigs answer phones? No.
Perhaps his 11 year old is in reality emotionally an 18 year old – and his parenting will stop her from turning into a fallen woman, or another Matilyn Manroe, or Ana Nicole Smith!
Clearly, Balwin loves and caqres for his daughter – and who are we to say that the remedy he chose is not exactly what that sophisticated “Princess” (remember who his wife was) really needed?
April 20th, 2007 at 6:17 pm
yogadaisy, it’s not that it’s “acceptable” or desirable, it’s just that sometimes, it’s reality. We have a lot of dysfunctional parents who don’t practice great methods of child rearing or putting the child first or dealing with their own emotions or the power differential. But if there’s not a constant pattern of abuse and they actually have a relationship, then while she’ll remember being called a pig, it’s something that they can deal with. Sometimes people make mistakes.
It’s more a question of, what are the legal consequences. My mother has been verbally abusive to me practically every day since I was able to process words, and while truthfully I would love to be able to never see her again, my parents aren’t divorced. I wouldn’t have wanted to be taken out of the home and separated from my father and sisters. In this case, we don’t know what Alec and Ireland’s relationship is like. We don’t know if this is how they interact all the time, or if it’s an abberation, or how she feels. It’s possible that she feels her father loves her and wouldn’t want to be separated, and once the courts get involved, it could be hard to undo. It just doesn’t seem right to put someone in jeopardy of never getting to see or talk to her father over one incident when nobody knows what’s really going on.
April 20th, 2007 at 6:59 pm
This man is not sorry for what he said to his little girl, he is sorry that he got caught. Grow up Alec.
April 20th, 2007 at 7:30 pm
I also dont care for his apology..
April 20th, 2007 at 8:28 pm
I am almost more upset about the “apology” than anything else. He never actually apologizes! He just blames this whole thing on his ex-wife and lashes out at her. He needs to grow up and accept that he did this ALL BY HIMSELF and deal with the consequences of his actions.
April 20th, 2007 at 8:46 pm
Alec can talk his trash for now, but once his daughter turns 18, she doesn’t have to see or talk to him at all anymore. And if she has financial needs, she can ask her mom for help.
April 20th, 2007 at 8:47 pm
Come on people! Alec didn’t just “reach his breaking point”–this is how he is. He’s a habitual screamer. Don’t you remember a few years back he did a Broadway show and the actress who was playing opposite refused to rehearse with him because of his temper?
I have a friend who is a party planner and she said he screamer at Kim all night and kim hid in their bedroom during the whole party.
I can only imagine how scary it must be for an 11 yr old to be on the receiving end of Alec’s temper. She’s a little girl! The way he was carrying on, I thought he was screaming at his agent for screwing up some big business deal. This guy has been able to get away with so much for years because of his fame and money. I can understand why Kim is trying to keep their daughter from him.
They are both immature, bad parents, but Kim’s not abusive.
April 20th, 2007 at 9:11 pm
There can be no defense of this man’s diatribe toward his young daughter. This is no way to “teach” a child anything positive. I’m appalled that at least one reader suggested the child needs to learn something here. Where is the evidence that the mother is a nut job or immature?
People are defending him???!!! Scary…
His apology is pathetic.
April 20th, 2007 at 9:48 pm
Ludvikus: I don’t care how old Ireland may be emotionally, it is never okay to talk to a child that way. And maybe you think it’s clear that Baldwin love and cares about his daughter, but I have seen no evidence to back that up, in fact I have seen just the opposite. You don’t even know Ireland and so you don’t know if she’s a spoiled “Princess” as you put it. And how in the world is calling a child a selfish pig going to help keep her from becoming “a fallen woman.” I’m not seeing any logic in your argument. Calling a child names like that and threatening her isn’t going to keep her from going down the wrong path. It’ll probably have just the opposite effect, it could very well cripple that poor child’s self-esteem and lead to very negative behavior down the road.
April 20th, 2007 at 10:35 pm
She should never see him again? I think she should! What he said was really terrible. But oh goodness he’s her father and that will never change. For someone to say that when they dont know the whole story behind it it’s uncalled for! Yes! if he went over to her home and tried to beat the living mess out of her. Take him away, no more visit’s no more interactions. What he said was dead wrong! but we dont know who Kim is…or him.She could be a horrible horrible person! They both sound terrible! But I will never tell a person their a bad parent. I have no right neither does anyone else. That’s their only child!
Maybe kim is afraid!Afraid of losing her child! Maybe he is afraid. But so far all we know is what we see.And what I see is parents who need guidance! I dont think they are terrible parents. I feel bad for this child. And I really do hope they dont push her to the point where she hates them both!
April 20th, 2007 at 11:37 pm
I wonder how soon he’ll check himself into rehab. That seems to be the hollywood trend now when celebs do something to hurt their career.
April 21st, 2007 at 2:58 am
WELL SAID DMC!!
I AGREE WITH YOU 100%!!
April 21st, 2007 at 9:46 am
I think Ireand has two nut-so parents. What kind of dad gets so angry that he calls his daughter “a pig”, and what kind of mother releases something so disturbing to the media for the girl to endure forever and publicly. I’m sure she really wanted her teenage friends hearing all this. It doesn’t appear to me that the girl’s best interest is at heart, but that it’s just about winning her to the parents.
April 21st, 2007 at 5:15 pm
how is this any of our business? private voice mail. not like he posted it on his website.
April 22nd, 2007 at 1:52 am
Everyone can lose their temper… they might yell at their kid… but calling her names like that is verbal abuse.
I’m not saying everyone is perfect… I’m not saying that people don’t accidentally slip and call their child something once and realize immediately they lost it and apologize.
I’m saying this long rant of repeating himself, calling her names repeatedly sounds like a person who has really lost it.
I have always respected Kim Basinger. But whether it was his behavior towards the media or towards his wife and daughter, Alec Baldwin seems to me to be a very controlling and narcissistic personality.
I really worry about his treatment of Ireland.
April 22nd, 2007 at 1:58 pm
Alright I have read SOME of the comments…for those who think it is ALRIGHT to speak to their child like that..what the heck are you smoking? I know kids can be brats and such and yeah some kids need to be told “off” but sitting their calling your daughter a RUDE LITTLE PIG that is just name calling and disrespecful!! I don’t care WHAT she does to her parents it is still NO EXCUSE! They are the adults she is a CHILD, no matter what!! I would never go to the level of calling my child names and making them feel worthless there is a difference of saying HEY you were suppose to pick up the phone and I am hurt and angry that you broke our “date” then going off like he had. He needs anger managment, honestly I feel sorry for the little girl who is trapped between her parents fight! They had pulled her in the middle for YEARS!! If I were here soon as I was 18 I would write them both outta my life!
April 23rd, 2007 at 12:25 pm
The only problem with his message is the pig part. Other than that he was calm and he told her directly what he thought. My niece is 10 years old and she is spoiled and completely aloof to eveyone else’s feelings. Sometimes things need to be said even if they hurt. Again the pig part was completely uncalled for.
April 23rd, 2007 at 12:30 pm
Although she may be a “bratty” kid, she is human!! NO_ONE has the right to belittle or verbally abuse a child. We have the ability for rational thought and as adults, we have to exercise good judgement, especially in regard to our children. Children, especially, girls in the pre-teens, tend to be everything that adults do not understand. Mr. Baldwin’s tirade only shows that he is no better than a school yard bully. The problem with all of this is that noone is councilling this child. She is obviously afraid of her father and definately confused about her situation regarding her parents’ behavior. More than likely,as she grows, she will behave as most celebrities’ children: Self centered and dangerous. Her parents will be proud!!
April 23rd, 2007 at 3:31 pm
to be honest i don’t blame his rant at all. the guy got frustrated. the kid doesn’t even pick up the phone at a time she knows is scheduled to talk with her dad. I mean if she doesn’t want to talk with him just say tell him so he would stop calling at a certain time. This has obviously happened before and he just snapped. NO he shouldn’t have blew up at her like that but I don’t blame the guy one bit.
April 23rd, 2007 at 4:23 pm
It shouldn’t matter that she’s 11. No one should be spoken to like that. It’s eerier that he was calm while saying such hurtful things, as though it wasn’t ‘heat of the moment’ fury, but well calculated manipulation. Yes, it’s good to let people know how we ‘feel’ but you can say.. ‘I feel…’ instead of ‘You make me…”
I wish I wasn’t one of the croud that has been treated like this. I also wished that I could’ve let the rest of my little town know about all the calls/letters… mailed to me but addressed to my mom about how the way she raised me turned me into a horrible person; but, (aside from this little jab here) I will never do that because it fuels the fire and I would never be able to heal. Maybe I’m wrong and releasing the voicemal to the public will be good for Ireland. I can’t help but feel for all of them. Everyone needs a little more love; sometimes you have to step away from the situation in order to heal yourself.
April 24th, 2007 at 1:26 pm
I keep reading hearsay that Basinger is a nutcase. I can’t recall any single incident that supports this claim other than Baldwin’s rants. His latest rant makes me question whether it was ever Basinger who was the nutcase. Sounds very much like she was verbally abused in their marriage; it would have taken her time to regain her independence and self-esteem. I laud her for leaving Baldwin; the man clearly has anger management issues.
Poor Ireland. She’s a beautiful girl. And if she’s been in the middle of this all of her life, then, like her dad, she’s probably a very angry one. She most likely leaked the voicemail “inadvertently” by sending it to a friend.
Whoever said Baldwin’s apology should have only been about his actions was dead-on right. It makes no sense for Baldwin to blame Basinger for the leak. All it does is escalate the conflict. The only people who benefit are the lawyers who bill for every hand-holding session, brief, public comment and court appearance.
April 24th, 2007 at 1:32 pm
Should Alec have left that message for his 11 year old daughter? No, but we do not live in a perfect world and people are not perfect. We are not celebrities having our lives dissected every single day in the public eye. He should not have called her a pig, but if she was not answering the phone when she was supposed to, I’m sorry but as her father, he has a right to get upset. And getting upset gets kids attention and forces them to understand that every action has a consequence. Obviously the underlying reason for his anger lies in the mess of a divorce and custody battle w/ his ex. The details that have emerged about her behavior is certainly not ideal either. Adults must learn to put their personal issues aside and do what is BEST for their children. I do not believe that Alec is a threat to his daughter, but is simply a father who has made a mistake and is a man frustrated he can’t spend time and talk w/ his daughter as often as he would like to. Before everyone here resorts to such judgement, try for a moment to imagine yourself in the difficult situation these 3 are in. You have NO idea how you would behave. Take a minute to walk in other people’s shoes…..