As previously reported by REVOLT, court documents filed on Monday (Aug. 14) accused Leigh Anne Tuohy and her family of tricking former NFL star Michael Oher into an exploitative conservatorship, a far cry from the adoption story told in author Michael Lewis’ book “The Blind Side” and the 2009 film adaptation of the same name.
Today (Aug. 16), TMZ published an interview with Quinton Aaron, who played Oher in the aforementioned movie and was asked about the unfolding controversy. “Honestly, I don’t know what to think. It’s news to me,” the actor expressed. “Unfortunately, it’s not a good turn of events. This movie inspired so many people. It changed people’s lives, mine included. I feel for everyone involved, you know what I mean?”
Aaron continued, “I’m not taking sides. I love Michael, I love the Tuohy family. I don’t know, I haven’t been in communication with them since the movie, honestly. So I’m not sure what to make of what’s going on. It’s just unfortunate.”
He also reacted to a growing number of critics who feel that Sandra Bullock, who starred in The Blind Side as the aforementioned Tuohy matriarch, should rescind her Oscar as a result of Oher’s claims. “We live in a society today where people are so hellbent on pointing blame on people, and to make a statement like that doesn’t make any sense,” he said. “Sandra Bullock didn’t have anything to do with the real story… I think people just need to chill out, relax, and let the families involved handle whatever’s going on.”
Since the news hit, Leigh Anne’s husband, Sean Tuohy, responded to the petition in the Daily Memphian, saying that he was “stunned” by the allegations. “We didn’t make any money off the movie. Well, Lewis gave us half of his share. Everybody in the family got an equal share, including Michael,” Sean stated. “We’re devastated. It’s upsetting to think we would make money off any of our children. But we’re going to love Michael at 37 just like we loved him at 16.”