The Untold Truth Of Erin Andrews

May 2024 · 2 minute read

In 2008, while Andrews worked for ESPN, she was filmed nude—without her consent—through a peephole inside a Nashville, Tenn. Marriott hotel. To Andrews' horror, the video was leaked online, giving anybody with an internet connection access to the footage.

The former Illinois insurance executive who filmed her, Michael David Barrett (above), testified (via Page Six) that after confirming Andrews was staying in the hotel, he used an in-house phone in the hotel's restaurant to dial the operator and ask to be put through to Andrews' room. Because the in-house phone displayed room numbers, Barrett figured out where she was staying. He then checked into the room next to Andrews' and doctored the peep hole so he could record her with his iPhone.

Barrett was caught in 2010, when TMZ provided authorities with the email address he used to try to shill his footage to the celebrity site. Barrett pleaded guilty and was sentenced to 30 months in prison.

Following the criminal case, Andrews filed a civil suit against Barrett and the hotel, seeking $75 million in restitution. As Andrews' lawyer, Randal Kinnard, told jurors, "This is not like being in a car wreck and breaking an arm and the arm heals and you get over it. There have been millions and millions of hits on this video around the world." During the trial, the customarily cool and calm Andrews was visibly shaken and tearful during her testimony.

Andrews was awarded $55 million—roughly $28 million from Barrett and more than $26 million from the Marriott affiliates. While the sum of the settlement is massive, the damage on Andrews' psyche is significant too. During Barrett's sentencing in the criminal case, Andrews said (via Page Six), "Every time I check into a hotel room, I fear he is in the closet, and every time I go home, I fear he is waiting for me. I fear for my life."

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