During the recent reality TV cheating scandal heard ‘round the world, players amongst  Vanderpump Rules declared that they would never, ever forgive each other.

It got me to thinking about celebrity fall-outs and big mistakes. When they get exposed in the public eye for trainwreck behavior – how long does it take for a celeb to be ‘forgiven’ and how will we know??

In the case of Arnold Schwarzenegger, it is 12 years. His was a big-big one. He cheated on American Royalty aka his wife Maria Shriver and had a baby with the maid!

12 years ago. That’s when we learned of Arnold Schwarzenegger’s affair with his maid Mildred Baena. (Interestingly, the news broke 1 day after his conclusion as Governor of California.)

Key dates- this is important. It maps out the timeline on the road to forgiveness in his personal and professional life. The family, the media and Hollywood especially.

• His affair with Baena started in 1996.
• Baena had their son, Joseph, in 1997.
• During a marriage counseling session, Maria finally confronts Arnold in 2011.
• The Schwarzeneggers’ divorce finalized in 2021– only 2 years ago…. but a decade after the maid confession!

The Hollywood media reaction? This was a biggie. Another Never, Ever FORGIVABLE act by celebrity.

Veteran Hollywood publicist Michael Levine called it “the most outrageous Hollywood scandal” since director Woody Allen’s affair with Soon-Yi Previn, the adopted daughter of his longtime companion, actress Mia Farrow, in 1992.

“I don’t think I am shockable any more … but this one is breathtaking in its outrageous, egregious, irresponsible arrogance,” Levine said.

Source: https://www.reuters.com/article/us-schwarzenegger-reaction-idUSTRE74H00P20110518

Many declared his career O-V-E-R. Nope.

True, Arnold has made a lot of successful movies since. BUT- here is something new and Big.

He is now making $$$$ off his

“unforgivable” past.

Netflix has partnered with him on not one but 2 releases. His campy spy-series FUBAR and more importantly, also a NEW DOCUMENTARY on his life. Here he fully opens up about the affair, the embarrassment, and the humiliation. At 76 years old, seems his career hits another high point.

So back to our original question- did the Media really just now totally forgive Arnold? Netflix says yes. According to showbizgalore.com, he is making $25M for the FUBAR Series. That’s a great payday at any age. Still digging to find out what he was paid for the Documentary.

So, is it 12 years that is an acceptable timeline for a Paid Forgiveness? Let’s count the years and see what happens in 2035 for the

Vanderpump Rules crew.