NEW YORK—Actor Charlie Sheen appeared Tuesday morning on the popular morning show Today in an exclusive sit-down interview with Matt Lauer to discuss his HIV status.
“I’m here to admit I am in fact HIV positive,” he said. Sheen was joined later in the interview by his physician, and both noted he does not have AIDS.
During the interview, Sheen told Lauer he was diagnosed HIV positive about four years ago, but is not entirely sure how he contracted the virus.
Sheen said he was making the public announcement about his health to bring an end to blackmail efforts and media scrutiny of his status. By his own estimation, Sheen has paid "millions" in blackmail over the years.
“In and around this difficult and perplexing time I dazedly chose, or hired, the companionship of unsavory and insipid types,” Lauer read from a letter Sheen wrote him prior to the interview, telling Sheen he assumed the actor was talking about prostitutes. “Regardless of their saltless reputations, I always led with condoms and honesty when it came to my condition. Sadly my truth soon became their treason as a deluge of blackmail and extortion took center stage in this circus of deceit.”
Sheen has a history of relationships with mainstream actresses, adult performers and other women. Most recently, he was engaged to former adult performer Brett Rossi, but that relationship ended last year. When asked if he had knowingly or unknowingly infected anyone else with the virus, Sheen said, “Impossible. Impossible.”
Sheen said he had engaged in unprotected sex with two people since his diagnoses, and said both people were aware of his status before their intimacies and that both were under the care of his physician.
To see the full interview, visit Today.com.
