Drew Peterson tries to show his softer side

From the Chicago Tribune--

With a beard and calmer manner, Drew Peterson tries to show his softer
side
Friends, new publicist hope to help suspect in wife's disappearance
remake his image

By Erika Slife | Tribune reporter
10:33 PM CST, February 28, 2008

Before appearing on NBC's "Today" show Thursday, Drew Peterson had a
conversation with his recently hired publicist: Maybe it was time for
the public to see another side of Drew.

"He's a nice guy. He's a normal guy, and that's what people needed to
see. I wasn't creating someone that he wasn't. I just want people to
see another side of him," said publicist Glenn Selig. "I think it has
begun."

Peterson, 54, appeared on the "Today" set bearded and more subdued
than the brash guest seen on past shows.

The former Bolingbrook police sergeant spoke of his shock at the
recent autopsy results stating his third wife's death was considered a
homicide. Authorities have named him as the suspect in the Oct. 28
disappearance of his current wife, Stacy, but he maintained that he
believes she left him for another man. He said he was psychologically
"prepared" to be arrested, and even ready to serve a long prison term.

But he also talked about his children, answering questions from host
Matt Lauer with comments such as, "My main concern about anything is
my children."

Rather than firing off more quips about his wives' moodiness, he
sidestepped questions, saying he couldn't or didn't know how to
respond to questions about suspicions of guilt. He sometimes looked at
his attorney, Joel Brodsky, for help.

"To me he seemed very sincere. He seemed like Drew," Selig said.

But an image makeover for Peterson could be a challenge, experts say.
For four months, the public has been witness to Peterson's audacious
humor, such as his suggestion to a radio talk-show host to hold a "Win
a Date with Drew" contest and offhand jokes about women and his
admirers.

Peterson's supporters insist there is more to the man than meets the
public eye.

"He needs to have a conversation that is just a casual conversation
where he's sitting on the couch where he can ramble about his
relationships," said his friend Steve Carcerano.

But even Carcerano acknowledged Peterson could have his work cut out
for him changing public perception.

"He shouldn't have gone on TV looking so scruffy because of what the
public could interpret," Carcerano said.

The Web site findstacypeterson.com was abuzz about Peterson's new
look, with one topic thread titled, "Is it just me or does Drew look
even worse than before??"

"He has such a loud presence that it's going to be a challenge for
people to see him differently," said Kali Evans-Raoul, founder and
president of The Image Studios, a Chicago-based consulting firm that
specializes in image communication.

eslife @tribune.com
Copyright © 2008, Chicago Tribune
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/chi-drew-peterson-today-webfeb29,0,3141568.story

--
Anne, indigoace at goodsol period com
Jewelry: http://www.prettygoodjewelry.com
Cats: http://www.goodsol.com/cats/
.

Quantcast