Nov. 18, 2008 — Plagued by several years of personal and legal issues, Mindy McCready is turning to television in an attempt to jump start her sagging fortunes in country music.
She scheduled meetings last week with television executives in an attempt to launch a reality series titled "Mending Mindy," according to The New York Daily News. And the show would likely touch on her relationship with Roger Clemens, the former Yankees and Red Sox pitcher who’s been embroiled himself over allegations of steroid use.
But no one needs to wait until a series for her take on the affair. She took the story to "Inside Edition," where she said she met him when she was under-age but adds that the relationship never got sexual for several years. He was married at the time, but she insists their trysts were not conducted in the shadows.
"We never had a meeting in secret," she said. "We went on vacations together. We went to Palm Springs. We went to Las Vegas. New York City."
She called Clemens "one of the most wonderful men I’ve ever known," but also noted that "carrying on a relationship with him is not something I’m proud of."
The affair lasted nearly a decade, she claimed, adding that she ended it because she wanted to marry him and he was unwilling. His wife, Debbie Clemens, is now living with the repercussions. Roger has denied the affair took place.
"I have nothing but remorse and nothing but sympathy for what she’s had to go through with this situation," Mindy maintained. "She has my utmost apology."
Mindy’s country career began with great prospects in the mid-1990s as she netted hits with "Ten Thousand Angels," "Guys Do It All The Time" and "A Girl’s Gotta Do (What A Girl’s Gotta Do)." Her debut album went platinum, but problems began to emerge early on. She filed for bankruptcy just months after going on tour for the first time as an opening act for George Strait, and was dropped by her record company two years later.
Mindy became a reliable source for tabloid fodder beginning in 2004 when she purchased painkillers with a fake prescription. In succeeding years, she was arrested for drunk driving, beaten by her boyfriend and jailed at least twice for probation violations. She attempted suicide twice, was accused of assault by her mother and temporarily made up with the abusive boyfriend, leading to the birth of a son. She suffered a nervous breakdown this summer, then entered rehab once she was released from the hospital.
"There aren’t words to describe how painful it’s been," she said of her misadventures. "So painful, I haven’t wanted to live.I’ve lived recklessly. I’ve made a lot of mistakes."
Mindy continues to hold out hope that her life, and her career, can be revived.
"Redemption is out there for everybody to get," she insisted. "Just watch me. I’m gonna show you how to do it."
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