I’ve heard it stated that fame is probably the most addictive of all medicine. I’ve been skeptical about this, however Elizabeth Holmes’ ongoing PR saga makes me marvel whether it is, in reality, true.
Holmes has appeared in Folks journal to inform us that jail is “hell and torture,” in the identical method that one may say “butt and ass” or “dick and cock.” The purpose of hell, for these of you who will not be up on Christian theology, is torture. That’s what it’s for.
The Folks profile reuses most of the New York Instances’ glamour photographs, which is sensible: it’s arduous to get photographs of inmates. However even when Holmes is inside, her publicist is working time beyond regulation. As within the The Instances’ profile, the emphasis is on Holmes as a mom, and the way arduous it’s for her to be away from her kids. “I’m not the identical individual I used to be again then,” Holmes tells Folks, vaguely saying that “there are issues I might have accomplished in another way.” She nonetheless insists Theranos was a failure, not a fraud. Girlie, this one’s over. All of us heard you lie.
You already know, I might need managed her picture in another way. For starters, I probably would have waited a number of extra years earlier than making an attempt to hunt redemption. That provides individuals time to neglect issues just like the grueling hours she anticipated from staff, the misdiagnoses of (variously) HIV and miscarriage, and — clearly — all of the lies. It additionally provides Holmes extra do-gooder accomplishments to tout, and possibly some extra secondary sources for interviews to say what a pleasant woman she is. I’d even attempt to speak her into admitting the factor everyone knows, that she engaged in fraud, so she will be able to lastly have some form of credibility.
However it appears Holmes can’t abdomen ready, or telling the reality about Theranos. So she’s telling Folks tales about saving her breast milk in order that she will be able to really feel a connection to her little one. There may be additionally this assertion, which I discover myself interested by: “Later, Holmes spoke to the jail’s warden about permitting ladies to breastfeed privately and authorities ultimately constructed a number of lactation rooms within the housing items in 2023.” Am I to imagine that Holmes has a lot sway in a jail that she will be able to get amenities constructed? Or had been these amenities already deliberate? It’s not clear from Folks’s accounting.
I’m additionally not clear if the publicist is intentionally choosing incurious reporters, those who’re best to play, or if doing any precise work looks as if it’s past the remit of Folks, however in some sense, it doesn’t matter. She will be able to name herself Liz if she likes. She’ll at all times be Elizabeth Holmes to me.