So, here I am waiting for People’s May fifth issue featuring the latest Hollywood celebrity to come out of the closet, when–Boom!–what do I see, but Sandra Bullock on the cover with her adopted baby boy. Dare I say I was blindsided?
Yes, yes, the magazine touches on her pending divorce from the “Jesse James is a Dead Man” host and alleged serial philanderer, but is that really surprising? After the pictures of his own bombshells surfaced–Bombshell McGee and playing dress-up with a Waffen-SS hat–there could be no doubt that Bullock would bolt. But to see the Oscar-winning actress hoisting aloft tiny little Louis Bardo Bullock was truly unexpected, especially in this 24-hour information society in which we know every celebrity indiscretion or sandwich selection.

Having started the adoption process four years ago, Bullock and James welcomed the New Orleans-born baby boy in January, but decided not to announce the adoption until after the Oscars. (Perhaps figuring that it could be seen as a crass publicity stunt, trying to curry favor with Oscar voters.) People reports that, “Their close friends and family–including James’s children Sunny, 6, Jesse Jr., 12, and Chandler, 15–were essential in keeping the adoption a secret,” which makes the tale even more incredible.
On one hand, Bullock is caught up in a sordid, TMZ/Facebook-fueled drama with new photos of James’ alleged mistresses appearing by the minute and McGee prolifically posting to her “wall.” Yet, on the other hand, Bullock and a handful of those close to her, including a 12 year old whose thumb is probably his dominant finger thanks to continuous texting, were able to keep a secret of this magnitude. It really speaks to the character of Bullock, and the respect she engenders, that those close to her maintained their silence and that this secret wasn’t Tweeted and followed far and wide.
Unfortunately, Bullock’s life is tabloid fodder due to other secrets, but at least she has some good news to tout as well.