TCA Press Tour: The Lamas family wants to use reality TV to heal
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Well, this is a little awkward.
Just a few weeks after Star Magazine reported that Lorenzo Lamas’ ex-wife and former Playboy model Shauna Sand had an affair with Lamas’ son A.J., father and son were seated on opposite ends of a couch before reporters Thursday to promote their new E! reality series “The Lamas Life.”
The subject of the affair came up first, and, initially, was quickly shot down. “I don’t make comments and I don’t, and I don’t encourage my kids to make comments, about public stories…So I guess, you’ll have to watch the show to find out how we deal with it,” Lorenzo said.
But reporters pressed to hear why any of the Lamases thought starring in a reality show would be a good idea given the family’s strained circumstances. The family is no stranger to the spotlight: Lorenzo was the star of the TV series “Falcon Crest“ and “Renegade,” daughter Shayne was the winner of “The Bachelor” and is pursuing an acting career, as is A.J. His other daughter Dakota is pursuing a career in the music industry.
Lorenzo said, for him, the show was a chance to reunite with his son.
“Before we started working together on the show, it had been a few years since we spoke,” he said, acknowledging, “it is unusual. But it was a chance to make things better.”
“I believe it’s the healthiest way. There is only one way to get a family together and that’s television,” executive producer Mike Fleiss joked. “And that’s what the E! channel is all about. Bringing people together.”
A.J. said he was more than hesitant. “I was like you,” he said to the room. “Like, ‘A…reality show to come back together?’ But if that’s what it takes.” He said he’d seen more of his dad in the last two weeks than in the last four years. “We’re working on it. I have issues with him, he has issues with me…you know, just watch the show.”
Another of Lorenzo’s ex-wives and the mother of all three children, Michele Smith, is on the show and was also present on the panel.
“We are in a sense rebuilding our lives, professionally and personally,” Lorenzo said. “We are dealing with very personal dynamics and the challenges that we face, having the public eye and spotlight again. I think it will be interesting for the audience to see how we cope with this new opportunity.”
-- Denise Martin