In June, Hollywood actor Alex Baldwin was a month away from going to trial on involuntary manslaughter charges for the death of Western film Rust’s cinematographer Helena Hutchins when he and his wife Hilaria Baldwin announced they would launch a new family-focused reality series on TLC in 2025. Now, that the trial is finally upon them, industry experts are calling their decision to move forward on the reality TV track a “terrible PR mistake” given their current circumstances.
Industry experts have criticized Alex Baldwin for his carefree nature, regardless of the severity of the lawsuit he is embroiled in.
One legal expert accused Baldwin of focusing his attention on something that could ultimately harm public relations, when he should have been focusing on the trial.
“I think this is a terrible PR mistake,” defense attorney Timothy Parlatore told Fox News Digital in the wake of the recently announced reality TV project.
“When you’re on trial for something like this, that’s all you have to focus on. This trial will be over in less than two weeks. There’s no need to do things before the trial that could reflect negatively on you.”
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Despite being at the center of such a serious trial, the 66-year-old actor and his wife were spotted parading around Santa Fe after leaving court. The couple was also spotted at an Italian restaurant with their youngest child on Tuesday and shopping at a high-scale boutique in the New Mexico city on Wednesday. Their reportedly carefree walk to Uli’s came just hours after the jury watched Hutchins’ final moments via police body camera footage, in which medics did everything possible to the best of their ability.
Though Hilaria has joined the “It’s Complicated” actor in his ongoing trial in Santa Fe’s First Judicial District Court, her continued “self-absorbed” appearances in the media despite the ongoing events have already come under scrutiny, and industry executives have criticized her “tone-deaf” self-promotion as a “victim” of circumstances.
Ebony Levovitz, founder and CEO of New York City PR firm Eden Communications, also highlighted how the Baldwins’ social media presence reflects insensitive behavior. “Their social media accounts have been a stream of self-absorbed posts about how they are the ultimate victims, and they seem oblivious to how mindless their constant self-promotion is.”
In addition to Hilaria Baldwin’s mandatory presence at the legal proceedings, the couple also purposely brought their youngest daughter in front of the cameras on the first day of the trial.
Attorney Gloria Allred, who represents the late cinematographer’s family, slammed the actor, saying that “this is a very cynical, calculated public relations move, aimed at influencing the jury … or eliciting sympathy for Alex Baldwin.” The legal representative also slammed the “Boss Baby” lead voice actor for bringing his child and allowing him to be “taken out of the car and photographed.”
Criticizing him for doing everything except contacting the Hutchins family following the tragic incident, Allred questioned whether he was taking the proceedings seriously. “Is he doing this because of the reality show? I don’t know. But if he is, it’s in very poor taste. I mean really. He had time to go shopping, but he never took the time to call Helena Hutchins’ grieving mother?”
Similarly, public relations veteran Judah Engelmayer also condemned Baldwin’s inappropriate reality show announcement. “Given the weight of what he’s doing, whether he’s guilty or not, he should be serious,” he said. “He should look like he cares. He should look like he’s respecting the family of a woman who was murdered.”
Additionally, Engelmayer explained that the TLC reality show’s decision and his carefree attitude despite the criminal charges will further tarnish his reputation as an angry man.
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Although the controversial actor’s lawyer said he was told the gun was safe to use before the deadly tragedy occurred, prosecutors challenged the claims, saying that under New Mexico law, Baldwin should have checked the safety of his weapon beforehand.
The actor could face up to 18 months in prison if convicted of negligent homicide after he accidentally shot and killed Hutchins on a film set in 2021.
What happens to the Baldwins reality show if Alex Baldwin is found guilty?
Earlier this week, sources familiar with The Baldwins’ reality TV show told the New York Post that producers want to keep the cameras rolling, even if the irascible actor ends up going to jail following the trial.
The makers of the show have reportedly made the case a part of the storyline.
“The Baldwins signed the deal at a time when Alex was already dealing with his own legal issues,” a TLC source revealed. “Everyone knew then – and still knows now – that a trial could be part of the storyline. The show will premiere in 2025.”
