Bill Wyman, former member of the Rolling Stones, delves into his life and acknowledges a mistake in his new biographical film.
However, this mistake is not the alleged intimate relationship he had with a 13-year-old Mandy Smith.
In the film titled “The Quiet One,” Wyman fails to express any regret about their relationship, instead focusing on the error of marrying her.
Despite the controversy surrounding their union, Wyman seems to have moved on and is now happily married to his third wife, Suzanne Accosta.
The New York premiere of the film was attended by Wyman’s current wife, Jerry Hall (a former Rolling Stones wife), and two of his grown-up daughters.
While some might find this gathering uncomfortable, no one openly expressed any discomfort.
Those who know Wyman well describe him as having a meticulous nature when it comes to documentation, an unexpected trait in a rock legend.
As the band’s bass guitarist, Wyman served as the official archivist, meticulously indexing and cross-referencing various items.
During his time with the Rolling Stones, Wyman recorded every detail of his life in personal diaries.
The documentary promises to offer viewers an engaging and down-to-earth encounter with the rock legend.
However, the European premiere of the film, scheduled to take place in Sheffield, was canceled due to accusations that it would provide a platform for a “s**ual predator.”
Wyman’s relationship with Mandy Smith has always been controversial.
In today’s #MeToo era, the discomfort surrounding this dark chapter in rock history has taken on a new perspective.
While Wyman documents the women who pursued him in the film, he fails to mention Mandy’s age or the controversy surrounding their relationship.
To viewers, she appears as just another girl in a long line of conquests.
Their relationship began when Wyman met Mandy at an event where people were dancing.
He describes his attraction to her as genuine and not driven by lust.
They eventually married when Mandy turned 18, but their marriage was short-lived, ending in divorce just a few years later.
Mandy’s book, “It’s All Over Now,” tells her side of the story and sheds light on the exploitation she experienced as a young girl.
While some witnessed Mandy as a mature-looking woman, others describe her as naive and innocent.
Wyman paid for her education and transferred her to a fee-paying school near his home.
Her mother, Patsy, initially saw Wyman as more of an uncle figure, but it became apparent that their relationship was more than that.
In a bizarre twist, Patsy went on to marry Wyman’s son from his first marriage.
Wyman’s friends, including author Lesley-Ann Jones, were unaware of Mandy’s true age until a birthday party when someone dared to ask.
This revelation shocked them as the couple had already been together for two years.
There are suspicions that Wyman used his friends as a cover to conceal his relationship with Mandy.
In recent times, Wyman has faced criticism for his handling of the situation.
Some believe that his status as a Rolling Stone protected him from the scrutiny he deserved.
By downplaying Mandy’s role in his life and airbrushing her out of history, Wyman continues to avoid the censure that should have come his way.
Mandy, however, learned the importance of record-keeping from Wyman and documented their relationship in her own diary.
Her book provides a harrowing account of manipulation and exploitation.
After divorcing Wyman, Mandy struggled to establish meaningful relationships and focused on her own personal growth.
She advises young girls to prioritize their careers and self-respect.
The biopic offers viewers a glimpse into the life of Bill Wyman, a man who made mistakes and faced controversy.
While he may have moved on from his past, the impact of his actions continues to be a topic of discussion in today’s society.
