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Levi Johnston

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Levi Johnston
Johnston at the 2008 Republican National Convention (September 2008).
Born
Levi Keith Johnston

(1990-05-03) May 3, 1990 (age 34)
Alaska, United States
Known forFather of Sarah Palin's grandson
ChildrenTripp Easton Mitchell Johnston (born December 27, 2008)
Parent(s)Keith Johnston and
Sherry Johnston

Levi Keith Johnston (born May 3, 1990) is the fiancé of Bristol Palin. He first received media attention in August 2008 upon Sarah Palin's announcement that Bristol was five months pregnant and that Johnston was the father. The couple broke off their engagement in March 2009.

Johnston has since pursued a career in the entertainment industry as an aspiring actor and model, and has engaged in several public feuds with the Palin family for which he later apologized.

Family life and education

Levi Johnston's parents, Sherry and Keith Johnston, have one other child - Levi's younger sister, Mercede.[1] Johnston is of Mexican and Canadian descent.[2][3][4] After dropping out of Wasilla High School in his junior year,[5][6][7][8] he began working full time for the Alaska North Slope oil fields as an apprentice electrician,[9] but quit his job in January 2009.[10] Johnston is an avid hunter who has hunted bears, caribou, elk, and sheep.[clarification needed][11] In September 2008, it was reported that there were "antlers scattered about the yard of the Johnston family home."[11]

According to Johnston, he and Bristol began dating during their freshman year of high school.[6] After losing a promise ring on a caribou hunt, Johnston had Bristol's name tattooed on his finger.[6][11]

On September 1, 2008, Sarah Palin announced that her daughter, Bristol, was pregnant by Johnston, and that the two would be married.[12] Johnston denied claims that he was pressured into a shotgun wedding, stating, "We were planning on getting married a long time ago with or without the kid. That was the plan from the start."[6] Bristol gave birth to their son, Tripp Easton Mitchell Johnston, on December 27, 2008,[13] but the two broke off their engagement in March 2009.[13] In May 2009, Johnston commented that his relationship with Bristol was improving and that they were determined to jointly raise Tripp.[14]

In July 2010, it was announced that Bristol Palin and Jonhston had reunited and got engaged for the second time. [15]

Media attention during the 2008 U.S. presidential election

Johnston attended the 2008 Republican National Convention with the Palin family.[16] While Sarah Palin was delivering her prime-time nomination acceptance speech, the cameras frequently cut away to Johnston and the five months' pregnant Bristol.[17] Johnston shook hands onstage with Sarah Palin's running mate, Republican presidential candidate, Senator John McCain,[6] and was treated as a member of Palin's family.[18] Fox News commentator Dick Morris, formerly a political strategist for President Bill Clinton, commented that McCain's decision to welcome Johnston to the stage was a good move, because it would help McCain show "a nonjudgmental attitude and a tolerant, ecumenical side," while still sending the message that unwed teens who become pregnant should marry.[19]

2009 interviews

After breaking up with Bristol, Johnston gave a series of nationally televised interviews, appearing on such shows as The Tyra Banks Show,[20]The Early Show,[21] and Larry King Live.[22][23] In one interview he said that he was "pretty sure" Sarah Palin had known that he and Bristol were having sex in the Alaska governor's mansion.[20] The Palin family denounced Johnston's statements as lies.[24] Responding to Bristol's public statements on abstinence,[25] Johnston[26] told The Early Show that "abstinence is a great idea, but I also think you need to enforce, you know, condoms and birth control and other things like that to have safe sex. I don't just think telling young kids, 'you can't have sex' - it's not going to work. It's not realistic."[27]

Johnston said he was appearing on The Tyra Banks Show with his mother and sister to dispel rumors: "There have been a lot of things in the newspapers and news ... saying I'd done steroids and drugs and cheated on Bristol ...".[28] During the interview, Banks indicated that Johnston had not been paid to appear on the show.[28] Rebecca Traister of Salon.com, opined that the interview revealed that "Bristol and Levi's breakup had much less to do with Bristol and Levi than it had to do with the girl-girl dynamics of the ruptured friendship between Bristol and Mercede."[28]

In August 2009, Johnston publicly speculated that Sarah Palin's early resignation from office was due to long-standing marital difficulties, the pressures of the job, and lucrative book and other media offers.[29][30][31]

In a September 2009 Vanity Fair interview, Johnston alleged that Sarah Palin initially wanted the couple to keep Bristol's pregnancy a secret and offered to adopt the baby and raise him as her own.[32] The young couple, however, rejected the plan.[32]

2010 follow-up

In July 2010, Johnston issued a statement expressing regret for his accusations against the Palins:

"Last year, after Bristol and I broke up, I was unhappy and a little angry. Unfortunately, against my better judgment, I publicly said things about the Palins that were not completely true. I have already privately apologized to Todd and Sarah. Since my statements were public, I owe it to the Palins to publicly apologize.[33]"

Other activities

Johnston hired Anchorage, Alaska, attorney Rex Butler (who is previously best known for representing criminal defendants and handling civil litigation[34]) to represent him in his pursuit of a career in the entertainment industry.[35]

According to Tirdad Derakhshani of The Philadelphia Inquirer, Johnston was "shopping around a memoir" concerning his time with Bristol.[36] The focus of the memoir has been changed to show the true story of the Palin household.[37] The Associated Press reported that Johnston is also pursuing a movie deal.[38]

Johnston and comedienne Kathy Griffin attended the 2009 Teen Choice Awards together. She later stated that he was "surprisingly sweet and courteous" to her.[39] Johnston and Griffin's acquaintanceship is documented in the sixth season of Griffin's reality television series, Kathy Griffin: My Life on the D-List.

In October 2009, Johnston appeared in a television commercial for Roll International makers of Wonderful Pistachios, as part of their "Get Crackin" advertising campaign.[40][41] The commercial features Johnston, with a bodyguard, opening a pistachio as a voice-over states, "Now Levi Johnston does it with protection."[42]

Following a statement by Sarah Palin that referred to Johnston's "aspiring porn career",[43] it was announced that Johnston's photo shoot for Playgirl would not show full frontal nudity, although there may be "glimpses".[44] It had previously been reported that Johnston's pictures would show him fully nude.[45] Johnston's Playgirl images were shot by photographer Greg Weiner in his New York City studio.

Johnston turned down an offer by Corbin Fisher to make gay erotic movies[46][47] as financially unattractive. [48]

References

  1. ^ Holland, Megan (April 24, 2009). "Prosecutor Didn't Know Johnston Left for TV Appearances — Family: Lawyer Said Levi's Mom Needed to Be with Kids Outside". Anchorage Daily News. Retrieved December 18, 2009.
  2. ^ Guanabee - Johnston's Mexicanness Reported in GQ
  3. ^ Twitter / Mario Lopez
  4. ^ The Daily beat - Shopping with Levi Johnston
  5. ^ Staff writer (December 30, 2008). "Bristol Palin Gives Birth to a Boy". The Seattle Times. Accessed December 18, 2009.
  6. ^ a b c d e Kaufman, Gil (October 13, 2008). "Sarah Palin's Future Son-In-Law Levi Johnston Denies He's Being Forced To Marry Bristol — The 18-Year-Old Has Dropped Out of High School and Says He's Looking Forward to Fatherhood". MTV. Retrieved December 22, 2009. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  7. ^ Belenkaya, Veronika; Moore, Tina; Hutchinson, Bill (September 3, 2008). "Bristol Palin's Baby Daddy Is 'Psyched' to Be Father, Says His Pal". Daily News. Accessed December 18, 2009.
  8. ^ D'Oro, Rachel (September 2, 2008). "Levi Johnston's Mom On Bristol Palin Pregnancy: 'This Is Just A Bonus'". The Associated Press (via The Huffington Post). Accessed December 18, 2009.
  9. ^ Goldman, Adam (October 18, 2008). "Levi Johnston Speaks On Baby, Obama, Sarah Palin". The Associated Press (via The Huffington Post). Retrieved December 18, 2009. {{cite news}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  10. ^ Silverman, Stephen M. (October 6, 2009)."Levi Johnston Goes Nutty in New TV Ad". People. Retrieved December 18, 2009.
  11. ^ a b c Staff writer (October 14, 2008). "Johnston Speaks on Bristol Palin, Obama and Baby". The Associated Press (via The Times of India). Retrieved December 18, 2009. {{cite news}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  12. ^ Shear, Michael D.; Vick, Karl (September 2, 2008). "No Surprises From Palin, McCain Team Says — Daughter's Pregnancy and Trooper Controversy Were Revealed Before Pick, According to Campaign Aide". The Washington Post. Accessed December 18, 2009.
  13. ^ a b Staff writer (April 4, 2009). "Levi Johnston Says Sarah Palin Let Him and Bristol Share a Room". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved December 18, 2009. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  14. ^ Saul, Michael; McShane, Larry (May 6, 2009). "Truce: Bristol Palin, Levi Johnston Appear Determined to Jointly Raise Tripp". Daily News. Accessed December 18, 2009.
  15. ^ Bristol Palin engaged again! "Bristol Palin, Levi Johnston are engaged!". Us Weekly. Accessed Juy 14, 2010.
  16. ^ Staff writer (September 4, 2008). "Levi Johnston, Teen Dad-To-Be, in World Spotlight". Agence France-Presse (via The Australian). Retrieved December 18, 2009. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  17. ^ [dead link]Baram, Maracus (September 4, 2008). "Levi the Teen Dad Hits the Big Time". ABC News. Retrieved April 28, 2009.
  18. ^ Baxter, Sarah (September 28, 2008). "McCain Camp Prays for Palin Wedding — The Marriage of the Vice-Presidential Candidate's Pregnant Teenage Daughter Could Lift a Flagging Campaign". The Sunday Times. Retrieved December 18, 2009. {{cite news}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  19. ^ Staff writer (September 14, 2008). "Discuss: Does Bristol Palin's Baby Daddy, Levi Johnston, Belong in the Spotlight?". New York Post. Retrieved December 22, 2009. {{cite news}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  20. ^ a b Hamm, Liza (April 3, 2009). "Bristol Palin's Ex Talks Sex with Tyra Banks". People. Retrieved December 22, 2009.
  21. ^ Wren, Jennifer (April 8, 2009). "Levi Johnston Addresses Tensions with Palin Camp". People. Retrieved December 22, 2009.
  22. ^ Silverman, Stephen M. (April 23, 2009). "Levi Johnston Refuses to Kiss and Tell about Bristol". People. Retrieved December 22, 2009.
  23. ^ Staff writer (April 23, 2009). "Levi Johnston — 'I Didn't Think It Was Going to Get This Rough'". CNN. Retrieved December 22, 2009.
  24. ^ Fleeman, Mike (April 3, 2009). "Sarah Palin's Camp Lashes Out at Levi Johnston for Sex Talk on Tyra". People. Retrieved December 22, 2009. {{cite news}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  25. ^ [dead link]"Bristol Palin Says Abstinence Best Path for Teens". The Associated Press (via Google News). May 6, 2009. Retrieved May 6, 2009. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  26. ^ [dead link][verification needed]"Bristol, Levi Debate from Afar on Abstinence". USA Today. May 6, 2009. Retrieved May 6, 2009.
  27. ^ Staff writer (May 6, 2009). "Levi Pans Bristol's New Message — Tells Maggie Rodriguez Abstinence-Only Isn't 'Realistic' for Teens". CBS News. Retrieved December 22, 2009.
  28. ^ a b c Traister, Rebecca (April 7, 2009). "Much Ado about Levi — Bristol Palin's Ex talked About Sex and Family on The Tyra Banks Show. It Infuriated Sarah Palin -- and Made Me Want to Watch". Salon.com. Retrieved December 22, 2009. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  29. ^ Staff writer (August 11, 2009). "Sarah Palin Resigned Due to Marital Troubles, Says Levi Johnston". The New Zealand Herald. Accessed December 22, 2009.
  30. ^ Standora, Leo (August 11, 2009). "Sarah Palin Has Marital Woes, Almost-Son-in-Law Levi Johnston Says". Daily News. Accessed December 22, 2009.
  31. ^ Schaller, Thomas (August 11, 2009)."Levi Says (Again) Sarah Did It for the Money — Former Son-in-Law-to-Be Is Becoming an Annoying, Broken Record" (includes video; requires Adobe Flash). Salon.com. Accessed December 22, 2009.
  32. ^ a b Staff writer (September 2, 2009)."Levi Johnston: Me and Mrs. Palin". Vanity Fair Accessed December 18, 2009.
  33. ^ http://www.people.com/people/article/0,,20399773,00.html
  34. ^ "Playing Defense: You're in trouble. Big trouble. You need a lawyer. You want to see Rex Butler" (pdf). Rights Advocacy Project. Retrieved 2010-02-22.
  35. ^ Dominguez, Robert (October 11, 2009). "Levi Johnston Is Working Out Six Days a Week to Prepare for Playgirl Shoot". Daily News. Accessed December 22, 2009.
  36. ^ [dead link]Derakhshani, Tirdad (April 24, 2009). "Sideshow: Pet therapist for the First Pooch?". The Philadelphia Inquirer. Retrieved May 9, 2009.
  37. ^ Allen, Mike (April 25, 2010). "Mike Allen's Playbook". politico.com.
  38. ^ [dead link]Pemberton, Mary (July 10, 2009). "Levi Johnston: Palin Resigned to Cash In on Fame". The Associated Press (via Yahoo! News). Retrieved July 10, 2009. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  39. ^ McKay, Hollie (August 10, 2009). "Kathy Griffin's Date Night With Bristol Palin's Ex Fiance — Controversial Comedienne Kathy Griffin Lived up to Her Kooky Reputation by Walking the Red Carpet with Levi Johnston. Kathy Griffin Has Lovey Dovey Date Night With Bristol Palin's Former Fiancé Levi Johnston". Fox News. Retrieved December 22, 2009. {{cite news}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  40. ^ Condon, Stephanie (October 6, 2009). "Levi Johnston Stars in Ad for Pistachios". CBS News. Retrieved December 22, 2009. {{cite news}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  41. ^ Moore, Matthew (October 6, 2009). "Levi Johnston Makes Light of Unprotected Sex with Bristol Palin in Pistachio Advert — Levi Johnston Makes Light of His Unprotected Sex with Sarah Palin's Daughter, in a New Television commercial for Pistachio Nuts". The Daily Telegraph. Retrieved December 22, 2009. {{cite news}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  42. ^ D'Oro, Rachel (October 7, 2009). "Father of Palin's Grandson to Pose for Playgirl — Attorney Says Playgirl Shoot Next Up for Teenage Father of Sarah Palin's Grandson". The Associated Press (via ABC News). Retrieved December 18, 2009. {{cite news}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  43. ^ Barr, Andy (November 16, 2009). "Sarah Palin: Levi Johnston Busy Doing 'Porn'". The Politico. Retrieved December 22, 2009.
  44. ^ Thomson, Katherine (November 16, 2009). "Levi Johnston NOT Showing Full-Frontal Nudity In Playgirl". The Huffington Post. Accessed December 18, 2009.
  45. ^ Staff writer (October 29, 2009). "Levi Johnston Doing Full Frontal Nudity in Playgirl" (includes video; requires Adobe Flash). The Huffington Post. Accessed December 18, 2009.
  46. ^ http://www.advocate.com/Arts_and_Entertainment/Entertainment_News/Gay_Porn_Offer_for_Levi/
  47. ^ http://abovethelaw.com/2009/12/a-contracts-exam-hypothetical-review-levi-johnstons-gay-porn-offer-letter/
  48. ^ http://www.xbiznewswire.com/view.php?id=115319


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