Michael Phelps Talks Photo Scandal: 'It Was A Bad Mistake!'

Access Hollywood - March 12, 2009 11:02 PM PDT
Story photo: Michael Phelps Talks Photo Scandal: 'It Was A Bad Mistake!'Michael Phelps and Matt LauerNBCAccess Hollywood

NEW YORK, NY -- Michael Phelps has finally spoken out about the infamous photo showing the Olympic swimmer with his mouth on a marijuana-smoking device, which surfaced in January.

In a new sit down interview with Matt Lauer for NBC's the "Today," show and "Dateline," Lauer asked Phelps directly if he was smoking marijuana in the photo.

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"It was a bad mistake," Phelps answered. "I mean, we all know what... you and I are talking about. It's a stupid mistake. You know, bad judgment. And it's something that... I have to, and I want to teach other people not to make that mistake."

Phelps said the photo was taken at a party he was at with a handful of friends he was "celebrating" with. He told Lauer there were "probably two or three people there I didn't know," and a total of six or seven people "in the whole house."

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While it was unclear if Phelps knows who sold the picture to a British tabloid, the swimming superstar said he learned many lessons from the incident.

"You know, it's funny at times. Take a picture with a cell phone... I'll say that there are a lot of people out there who want to take advantage of any situation they have," Phelps said. "I trusted my friends who were there about who they were. And clearly they weren't trusted people... Sometimes you learn the hard way."

In excerpts released from the interview, which airs Friday March 13 on "Today," and Sunday March 15 on "Dateline," Phelps told Lauer he found out the photo was headed to the media via e-mail, a few days before it surfaced in the paper.

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"It was through an e-mail form. And I had no idea really what to do. You know, I knew that I'd made a mistake and made a bad judgment," Phelps said. "And... I know that when you do make a mistake... you're responsible for all of the consequences. And I was willing to... accept the fact that I did make a mistake.

"And it was an awful judgment," the athlete, who lost a Kellogg's sponsorship over the incident, said. "The people I hurt, you know, is my family, clearly. My friends. The close people around me. And most importantly, the fans. And... I realize that that hurt a lot of people."

Phelps said his thoughts did not immediately turn to the lucrative sponsorships that could be affected by the photo when it came out. Instead, he said, he was concerned about his family.

"It's not about money to me," he said. "The contract side of things, yeah, I was disappointed. But, you know, I think the biggest thing is -- is who I hurt the most. Like, if I lost money, OK. It's not an issue with me."

Related Content from AccessHollywood.com:
PLAY IT NOW: Access Extended: Michael Phelps Comes To Access
PLAY IT NOW: Access Extended: Mama Phelps (August 18, 2008)

MORE ACCESS ON THESE TOPICS: Michael Phelps - Celebrity Scandals - Athletes

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  • Lainey Love
    i used 2 look up 2 him not no more
    report abuseposted March 28, 2009 12:56 AM PDT
  • ElyciaL
    omg its not a big deal like everyone thinks it is i mean theres places where pot is legal and its really not fair for other places or people but c'mon its just weed (a plant)!!! !!
    report abuseposted March 13, 2009 3:46 PM PDT
  • alfreda t
    well well , i see you smoke some pot and nothing happens but some kids( and i do mean kids) fight and the media keeps it going and the public does not lend any support.
    report abuseposted March 13, 2009 2:00 PM PDT
  • DB
    Let it go.
    report abuseposted March 13, 2009 1:33 PM PDT
  • AnnaMarie
    Oh ! Forgot to add that is is also used by those who have anorexia ( which CAN BE LIFE THREATENING ! ) to stimulate appetite too. People should do some research before they put down those who smoke pot for medicinal reasons and those who may do it for religious reasons. Smoking pot for recreation i believe to be wrong. Smoking pot for medicinal reasons and religious reasons NEEDS to be legalized
    report abuseposted March 13, 2009 6:05 AM PDT
  • AnnaMarie
    I AM A PSYCH patient. Read ' Receptors ' by Richard M. Restak, MD. Ganji is used to help alleviate side effects of medications ( INCLUDING PSYCH MEDS ) it is used to stimulate the appetite in aids patients ( to help counteract ' Wasting Away Syndrome), is used by cancer patients for help with pain and nausea due to Chemotherapy, it is used to help alleviate depression, AND
    report abuseposted March 13, 2009 5:58 AM PDT
  • Nick Name
    Piling on is stupid.. The guy apologized. He lost lots of money. Let it go.
    report abuseposted March 12, 2009 11:43 PM PDT
  • Nick Name
    Okay, he smoked pot. Yes it is illegal, but not as bad as some of these athletes. Shooting themselves in the leg, dog fighting and many many more. I think he should be punished, but not like some people are saying. Oh, and he didn't beat his girlfriend up either.
    report abuseposted March 12, 2009 11:30 PM PDT
  • teio
    People say marijuana is safer than booze, but I have seen the effects of it from psych patients who have been smoking that stuff for like 20 years. Yeah it is a drug and it does have an effect. Just very subtle and gradual over time. Not right away. Drug is a drug, and I know some things about mind altering drugs.
    report abuseposted March 12, 2009 11:16 PM PDT
  • teio
    People say marijuana is safer than booze, but I have seen the effects of it from psych patients who have been smoking that stuff for like 20 years. Yeah it is a drug and it does have an effect. Just very subtle and gradual over time. Not right away. Drug is a drug, and I know some things about mind altering drugs.
    report abuseposted March 12, 2009 11:16 PM PDT
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