'The Other Woman' From 'Tori & Dean': Mary Jo Eustace

By Access HollywoodJune 15, 2007, 2:58 pm PDT

LOS ANGELES, Calif. (June 15, 2007) Being The Other Woman wasnt easy for Mary Jo Eustace.

Your life is one way, and then 10 minutes later your life is another way, the ex-wife of actor Dean McDermott tells Access Hollywood.

A life changed in an instant. Married at the time for 12 years, Mary Jo Eustace relives the moment her then husband, Dean McDermott, announced his extra-marital affair with Tori Spelling -- who was also married at the time

I said have you met someone, Mary Jo continued. And he said, Yes.. And I said, Is it Tori Spelling? Were soul mates, he responded.

"I really didn't know if it was true or not, I wasn't really sure. Then it started to sink in that, yes, indeed this was true, Mary Jo recounts.


Her world turned upside down in August of 2005 when Dean met Tori on the set of a Lifetime TV movie, "Mind Over Murder."

Throughout his three week shoot schedule in Canada, Mary Jo had trouble reaching Dean from home, as she cared for their 7-year-old son and newly adopted infant daughter.

The whole thing was just odd, she continues. My daughter was 3-and-a-half weeks, so I was just sort of maintaining at that point and thinking when we connect, Ill find out really what the deal is, because I didn't know.

When Dean did return to California, the family of four headed to Palm Springs for a previously booked vacation- and it's there in a hotel room where he unleashed the devastating news.

He said, you know, She loves me unconditionally. I said, It's been three weeks!? You know how can someone love you unconditionally?!

It was just kind of a bad TV movie, that's what it sounded, very rehearsed.

In the short story, I write about being told of the affair and turning towards the window and seeing these really heavy velvet drapes in Palm Springs and I thought these drapes dont belong here, I don't belong here. I think my life has really changed from thirty seconds ago to my life now; I knew intuitively and instinctively it was completely different.

Healing through words, Mary Jo tells her side of the split through a short story featured in the compilation of short stories: "The Other Woman."

I thought it was a wonderful opportunity and an amazing forum to express a subject that's essentially taboo with women, Mary Jo explains about her decision to immortalize her story in print. Even though my experience is heightened and surreal in a way, that I think the actual experience, everyone can relate to it. And I'm proud that I was asked to be in it, and Im proud of the short story I contributed.

Dean is still involved in their son's life - while Mary Jo says she finalized the adoption of her daughter as a single parent. And living in Canada has helped shield her kids from the tabloid headlines.

If I see one more thing that I'm dumped, or there was a catfight or, oh god-- my epithet, it might be Was dumped for Tori Spelling."

Until then Mary Jo is carrying on making the most of her life, raising her children and working in radio.

I'd like to say I had a full life before this happened and now life is different, but you know, I am proud of this anthology. And I am all for women examining these topics, no matter who the other woman is, so I'm proud of that. I do a radio morning show in Canada. 103.9, Proud FM, which I love, which is a ton of fun-- It's talk and music. I did a cooking show called "What's For Dinner?" in Canada, we did 600 episodes, a comedy cooking show and my partner and I, Ken Kostick, do this morning show and it's just silly and fun. And Ive done a few pilots for some shows down here -- we've moved, weve definitely moved on, we're moving beyond it and through it its so much better now.

back to top

comments

comments 1-10 of 70  | newest | < newer | older > | oldest
  • Ashley
    i mean yeah it was a piggish thing for him to do , but who are we to judge? i think that tori and dean are avery cute and funny couple, and yeah it was wrong what they did but just like in the bible when jesus said" let the man who has not sin cast the first stone" nobody could because they all did wrong so my advice to mary jo is to move on
    report abuseposted June 25, 2008, 3:53 pm PDT
  • M S
    Tori Spelling grew up getting whatever she wanted. So of course she expected to get this man. Anyone who'd leave his family after a three week affair is a dumbass and deserves what they get. I'm actually surprised that they've lasted as long as they have. The clock is ticking on that relationship which was apparently built on adulterous sex and will probably end the same way. They'll deserve it.
    report abuseposted November 22, 2007, 1:35 pm PST
  • MS
    Tori Spelling is probably the ugliest actress ever. So if Dean would leave someone like Mary Jo for someone like Tori, Mary Jo is better off without him. And what a pig for leaving his son and living in a completely different country than him. I wish nothing but the worst for Tori and Dean and I'm sure that's what they have coming. How long before Tori or Dean find their next "soulmate"?
    report abuseposted July 30, 2007, 12:11 am PDT
  • Christine C
    Dude, you're not supposed to cheat on someone or go for some person who's already married anyway. Everyone knows that, some people just ignore that because they know it's wrong. Tori's just spoiled anyway. I lost all respect for that woman when I found out she stole someone else's husband, no matter how much of a jerk the husband is.
    report abuseposted July 11, 2007, 7:36 pm PDT
  • ann
    you guys are morons....telling her to get over it just because shes telling her story. she probably is over him, he's not an amazing guy so i'm sure she's over him, shes just telling her side of the story. And saying get over it, you try and go through your husband leaving you for someone like tori and it being in the papers all the time. leave her alone and grow up.
    report abuseposted July 11, 2007, 7:29 pm PDT
  • Men and Women both have lost a love one this way. I say to everyone wh c's this posting. (It can happen to u) So don,t judge anybody in this circle at all, but do everything u can to make today the best day u can.
    report abuseposted July 11, 2007, 7:18 pm PDT
  • Melissa S
    I guess I will never understand how people can think that a relationship with someone who is currently cheating will ever be a faithful one. In this case it is a double doosey with Tori and him both cheating on spouses. Its like changing winter coats - get bored with one and toss it to the curb - along with the kids it seems.
    report abuseposted July 11, 2007, 7:14 pm PDT
  • you guys are to sypathetic her husband left oh well it happens all the time she just needs to suck it up i mean he dumped you forever ago and we are still hearing about it well geuss what i think tori and dean are a super asome couple and i really dont care about anything else get over it
    report abuseposted July 11, 2007, 7:11 pm PDT
  • Bonnie T
    Mary Jo, I would just like to say that I am so sorry for you and your children. It is wonderful that you can go forward without malice towards your ex and Tori, that is what God would want of you. But the pain of the heart will be a difficult thing to heal, but He will heal it, then you will not care, but wish them the best. I'll keep you in my prayers. God's grace is sufficient for you and yours.
    report abuseposted July 11, 2007, 7:07 pm PDT
  • I love Tori and dean is super cool lifes ruff u'll get over it all you have to do is not think about it. Besides tori and dean are a cute couple build a bridge get over it and you'll find someone else.....
    report abuseposted July 11, 2007, 7:06 pm PDT
comments 1-10 of 70  | newest | < newer | older > | oldest

post your comment

hi there!

Want to post a comment? Just sign in and you'll be good to go.

sign in

Help us continue to improve your mom! - Send Your Suggestions