The Independent's journalism is supported by our readers. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn commission.
Jenny McCarthy criticises Charlie Sheen for not disclosing HIV status when she played his love interest on Two and a Half Men
A representative for Sheen said the actor contracted the virus 'long after working with Jenny'
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Jenny McCarthy has criticised Charlie Sheen for not being “upfront” about his HIV diagnosis when she played his love interest on Two and Half Men because she had physical contact with the actor.
The actress played Courtney Leopold, Sheen’s girlfriend and future step-sister in eight episodes throughout several seasons of the show.
The 43-year-old hit out at her former colleague on SiriusXM radio, where she compared being HIV positive to the cold sores she has had to disclose in forms ahead of acting jobs.
She said: “For years I’ve signed this piece of paper and now, being on Two and a Half Men myself, and playing a love interest you would think that there would be some type of, I don’t want to say criminal issue, but I don’t even know how to feel about that.
“I’m like, wait a second, if I have to be upfront about a herpe, how can you not be upfront about HIV?”
Responding to her claims, Sheen’s management told People he contracted HIV "long after" working with McCarthy on the series.
Sheen, 50, revealed he is HIV positive in an interview on the Today Show on Tuesday following numerous scaremongering tabloid stories which hinted at an ‘A-list actor’ who’s left ‘panic in Hollywood' due to having the disease.
He was diagnosed with the virus three or four years ago and told Matt Lauer it was “impossible” he could have infected anybody else.
HIV lives “in the blood and some body fluids” and is transmitted in semen, vaginal fluids, breast milk and blood. It can not be passed on through kissing.
McCarthy, who claims to be "STD-phobic" acknowledged this, but added: “This would have been some valuable information, look how many people have played his love interest on the show.”
Prior to her marriage, McCarthy claimed she would ensure her sexual partners signed forms confirming they have no infectious diseases. “I wouldn’t sleep with anybody until I got the right paperwork, so the fact that playing his love interest on the show, I go like ‘ick, ugh, that’s not fair’.”
McCarthy did offer some sympathy for Sheen in light of his HIV-positive status, but claimed he had consequences to face. “He’s sick and it’s awful, but man he’s going to have to take some major accountability with many people in his life.”
Subscribe to Independent Premium to bookmark this article
Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Premium subscription today.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments