Kelly Preston Not Ready To Speak About Son's Death, Pulls Out Of Conference Appearances

Access Hollywood - August 28, 2009 3:42 PM PDT
Story photo: Kelly Preston Not Ready To Speak About Son's Death, Pulls Out Of Conference AppearancesJett JTP FilmsAccess Hollywood

LOS ANGELES, Calif. -- Kelly Preston is not yet ready to speak in public about the death of her son with John Travolta - Jett -- who died over New Year's at the age of 16.

Preston was expected to appear at the California Governor's Conference for Women in Long Beach, Calif., in October, which Maria Shriver hosts, but she has withdrawn from the speaking engagement.

VIEW THE PHOTOS: Hollywood's Hottest Moms & Their Loveable Little Ones

"It is with my sincere apologies that I must pull out from speaking at [the] conference. I am sorry, but I truly believed that I could do it," Preston said in a statement to People. "Otherwise I never would have said that I could. But I am still deeply in the process of healing, and it's just too soon."

Preston was due to speak on the "Grief & Resilience" panel.

VIEW THE PHOTOS: John Travolta & Family

Shriver, the wife of California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger, just loss her own mother - Eunice Kennedy Shriver, who died earlier this month at the age of 88 -- and earlier this week, her uncle, Ted Kennedy, also passed away at 77.

Knowing loss all too well, Shriver said she was supportive of Preston's decision to pull out of the conference.

"I know how hard it was for Kelly to make this decision and she has my complete support and understanding. Everyone has their own path to healing and their own timetable for grieving," Shriver said in a statement, People reported. "Kelly's presence at The Women's Conference will be missed, but the main stage conversation on grief and resilience with Elizabeth Edwards, Susan Saint James and myself will continue as planned. Having just lost my own mother and my uncle, I believe it's an important and meaningful subject because loss and grief will touch everyone at some point in their lives."

VIEW THE PHOTOS: Hollywood Loves John Travolta

As previously reported on AccessHollywood.com, Kate Gosselin of "Jon & Kate Plus 8" will appear at the October conference.

Related Content from AccessHollywood.com:
PLAY IT NOW: Jett Travolta's Final Journey
PLAY IT NOW: Jett Travolta News Conference

MORE ACCESS ON THESE TOPICS: Kelly Preston - News - Celebrities - Ted Kennedy - Arnold Schwarzenegger

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comments 1-10 of 19  |< newest · < newer · older > · oldest >|  hide comments · post a comment
  • WAMOO
    She probably pulled out because she's sick of Maria Shriver and the Kennedy's using any means to promote their political agenda. Shriver and her dead uncle ted used THE CATHOLIC MASS to promote Obamacare! Yes they did! What's wrong with Swartzeneger?
    report abuseposted August 31, 2009 4:45 PM PDT
  • oni
    wish
    report abuseposted August 31, 2009 2:17 PM PDT
  • tweetybird37406
    Doll...that was a completely insensitive comment. how can you blame what happened on his parents? you have absolutely NO idea what went on in their lives to make such a ridiculous comment, let alone no where near capable of JUDGING anyone. YOU are not perfect so don't try to act like it.
    report abuseposted August 30, 2009 9:26 PM PDT
  • Heather W
    Doll, you obviously have no clue about autisim. As a parent of a 23 year old autistic son, I know that there is NO Cure for autisim.
    report abuseposted August 30, 2009 7:12 PM PDT
  • mommyof2
    So sad. I think it was too soon for her. If it was my child I don't think I could go on. God bless John and Kelly.
    report abuseposted August 30, 2009 1:26 PM PDT
  • Albert
    I empathize with anyone who loses a child but I have no respect for Scientology or those who pay their way up in this absurd ideology and my heart goes out to the children of its followers.............
    report abuseposted August 30, 2009 12:31 PM PDT
  • happypat35
    I know how it still can be hard for them. God be with the Travolta family.
    report abuseposted August 30, 2009 11:18 AM PDT
  • happypat35
    I know how it still can be hard for them. God be with the Travolta family.
    report abuseposted August 30, 2009 11:18 AM PDT
  • God Loves Insanity
    so sad. like that little girl who was diabetic, but her father believe that God would cure her, so he never took her to the doctor. they just prayed around her as she died.
    report abuseposted August 30, 2009 9:02 AM PDT
  • God Loves Insanity
    you know, he might still be alive had his parents sought out treatment for his Autism. they didn't because they are Scientologists, whom believe that autism is not a medical affliction, but more of a mental disorder. like it could be cured through therapy. his illness was ignored because his parents are more concerned about fitting into a celebrity crowd than they were about his well
    report abuseposted August 30, 2009 9:00 AM PDT
comments 1-10 of 19  |< newest · < newer · older > · oldest >| 

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