Author Michael Lewis is responding to accusations of exploiting former NFL player Michael Oher, the subject of his book “The Blind Side,” by shifting the blame onto the “Hollywood studio system.” According to Lewis, he and the Tuohy family, portrayed in the book and subsequent movie, have each received around $350,000 from the film’s profits. The Tuohys planned to split their share with Oher, but he declined the payments. Instead, his royalty checks were deposited into a trust fund for his son.
Lewis criticizes the Hollywood accounting system, claiming that the money is not in the Tuohys’ pockets but instead tied up in the complex financial practices of the industry. He alleges that Oher should join the writers’ strike to protest these unfair accounting practices.
Oher has accused the Tuohys of lying about adopting him and cutting him out of financial opportunities related to the book’s rights. However, Lewis disputes these claims. He explains that he and the Tuohys negotiated their own deal with 20th Century Studios, which included a financial arrangement and percentage of future profits. This agreement was already in place when Alcon Entertainment, the studio that financed the film, acquired the rights.
Despite the film’s success, Lewis contends that the profit participation for those involved has not resulted in significant monetary gain. He has discussed the issue with his agents at CAA, expressing his concerns about the financial discrepancy.
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Defending the Tuohys against accusations of lying about adopting Oher, Lewis highlights their decision to pursue a conservatorship instead of a traditional adoption. He explains that the family opted for a conservatorship due to concerns raised by the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) when Oher chose to attend the University of Mississippi, where the Tuohys are prominent boosters. Lewis emphasizes that the conservatorship was a faster process and was motivated by the family’s desire to support Oher.
Lewis also expresses sadness and disappointment towards Oher’s suspicions of the Tuohys. He describes how they provided him with resources and love, making his distrust of them disheartening. The situation brings attention to the alleged exploitation of famous individuals through conservatorships, a topic that gained significant attention following Britney Spears’ high-profile conservatorship battle.
In response to Oher’s claims, the Tuohys argue that the allegations are fabricated and an attempt to extort $15 million from them. They assert that he is seeking attention during his book tour and deny any wrongdoing.
While “The Blind Side” received praise for Sandra Bullock’s performance, earning her an Academy Award for Best Actress, the movie faced criticism for perpetuating negative racial stereotypes. Some argued that it depicted poor Black children as valuable only for their athletic potential rather than their intelligence or character.
Oher, who was portrayed by Quinton Aaron in the film, has voiced his displeasure with how he was portrayed and its impact on his NFL career. He believes the movie negatively affected public perception of him and hindered his professional opportunities.
In an interview in 2007, Lewis defended Oher’s intelligence and academic achievements at Ole Miss, countering the portrayal of Oher as mentally slow in the movie. He highlighted Oher’s inclusion on the dean’s list as evidence of his academic capabilities.
Overall, the ongoing dispute between Oher, the Tuohys, and Lewis sheds light on issues of financial transparency in the entertainment industry and the potential exploitation of individuals involved in high-profile projects.
