On last night's Dancing telecast, Evans, in an emotional taped interview with host Tom Bergeron, stated she resigned from the show after last week's episode because she "would have had a nervous breakdown" if she hadn't, adding, "It's very personal, it's very traumatic and it was very hard for my children. Things drastically went downhill 100 miles an hour."
"It was always my intention to try to take things very slowly in the marriage," she said in the interview regarding ongoing friction in the 13-year marriage. "I'm completely against divorce," she added for the benefit of her large evangelical Christian following. "My intention was to continue to try everything within my power," but "something happened" to prompt her to end her marriage.
Although that "something" — a "devastating report," she called it — happened before last week's live show, the plucky little trouper soldiered on. "The good thing is that I'm so used to performing. As you know, as an entertainer, we have the ability to just try to flip the switch, turn it on, do the dance and make it through the day. That's what I was hoping was going to happen throughout the entire life of the show," she told Bergeron.
But no. "I needed to be right there, to look at my son at all times to see the expression on his face and see if he's crying. I put him on the phone with our pastor immediately. I knew that nothing in my career, no television show, nothing was more important than that," Evans said. So, adios, samba.
The Tennessean newspaper reports the Schelskes had a "public disagreement" over their children outside a Los Angeles restaurant last Tuesday that also figured strongly in Evans' decision to file for divorce.
Evans, 35, filed on October 12 (amended on Oct. 16), alleging that husband Craig Schelske, 43, a Republican fundraiser who ran for congress in Oregon's 5th District in 2002, committed adultery with her personal assistant Alison Clinton, was verbally abusive, drank excessively, watched pornography in the presence of their three young children in their Nashville home, and looted their "church tithing" bank account of $274,000 on the day she filed for divorce.
Article Author: Eric Olsen
Career media professional Eric Olsen is honored to be the founder and publisher of Blogcritics.org, which, quite frankly, rules - as do his wife and four children.
Article comments
1 - brad schader
There is an irony that the nanny's name is Clinton, don't you think?
Seriously though, I had no interest in this story until learning who her husband is. Now, 20 days before the election it is just another example of how the GOP talks the talk but cannot walk the walk.
2 - Eric Olsen
Hi Brad, I'm not sure his Republicanism has much to do with his longing for anal three-ways and propensity for photographing himself en wood.
3 - Donnie Marler
I honestly feel sympathy for anyone having their divorce or infidelities in the public eye.
Hell, I'm a conservative, but I felt sorry for Hillary Clinton during the Lewinsky mess. It wasn't bad enough her husband cheated on her, the whole damn world had to know. Sad.
4 - Eric Olsen
I agree Donnie - it's sordid stuff that would be bad enough in private, but all the PR manuevering the parties feel -- I'm sure -- forced to do, makes it a circus
5 - Webbster
Scorched earth!
That sums it all up perfectly.
The country singer is taking a play from the GOP playbook and is doing everything to obliterate her husband. She is grinding him into the dirt with the heel of her cowboy boot.
I feel sorry for husband. Yes he may have done some naughty things, but there's no need for all this.
She is the higher wage earner in the house so what is the point of destroying a guy who will be pulling welfare checks (after her lawyers have done with him) very soon ?
This has got to be in the top 5 list nastiest divorces. (Baldwin/Basinger still number 1)
6 - Victor Lana
Eric, when are all these famous people going to learn to hire nannies that look like Mrs. Doubtfire instead of Miss Very Young & Attractive?
7 - Donnie Marler
I swear, if you mentioned seals fucking, someone would scream GOP.
Nasty? What about Liza Minelli and her old man? Two queens down in the dirt. Pfft
8 - Eric Olsen
Victor, the nanny issue is key! Britney has solved it by hiring "mannies."
Donnie, those inclined toward being partisan tend to see confirmation everywhere they turn.
You have to feel for everyone involved - it will be interesting to see who is able to prove what since the two sides are so diametrically opposed regarding "facts."
9 - Nate Johnson
Come on man leave that crap out of this. This is human error on the part of her husband, who is most likely a slimball. Don't bring that political discussion into this arena.
This whole situation is just sad.
10 - Eric Olsen
"human error" - I like that, Nate
11 - steve hanzs
God bless sara and her children through these tough times
12 - Shara Evan
From all that is written and spoke of, sounds like they are BOTH at fault but wanting the public to "HER" or "HIM" as faultless. Both are guilty as sin!!! THe one that usually screams the loudest is usually the one that is the worst one. What's sad, is that they both are having their children live this. I'm sure if a unbias professional would interview all three children and the adults, we have the truth instead of all the public bull that is being put out by the two of them.
13 - Catherine Moule
This is just sad, my heart goes out to the children , When thing's happen like this between people they seem to forget what affect this will have on the little one's involved , Until they have time to think clearly.But by then it's to late.Because by then the children know the uglyness of what's happening , JUST VERY SAD
14 - Eric Olsen
just updated the sordid story
15 - Maura
While the situation is sad, more power to Sara Evans for throwing the punch first. Good move. Most women sit back and wait. And even if they did, as consenting adults do, smoke cigarettes, drink alcohol, and watch porn, that is fine. We all do that...even Christians. Us Catholics love it. But Craig has lived off her and he should have taken care of her a little better...met her sexual and emotional needs since she was the breadwinner. That is what stay-at-home moms did for years, and that is his role. He should have re-read the 1955 treatise from Ladies Home Journal and he would be fine, with all the cash he wanted...it doesn't take much to take care of your kids and have sex with your wife when she is in town. Come on...
16 - maura
And eric, yes, I think Republicanism does have a bit to do with the whole photographing naked thing...repressed...and yes it is a circus but this is all very very planned.
17 - Bonnie
I am on your side Sara.