First interview of Goran Visnjic about his daughter Lana Lourdes

THIS IS INTERVIEW OF GORAN VISNJIC IN MAGAZINE "STORY" OF 11.JULY 2007 Story, 11.07.2007., number 28, exclusive interview Journalist: Sandra Njavro(wedding god mother of Goran's wife)
TITLE: "Goran Visnjic only for Story- I'm not running from the truth"
LEAD: Last month the Croatian medias are shaken from the scandal of Goran Visnjic, Croatian actor who has permanent address in Hollywood. All that because of the accusations that are coming from his fellow-citizen, 36 old student from Sibenik, Mirela Rupic. Two weeks ago she didn't want to give any answer to the numerous questions of the journalists. She didn't want to tell who is the father of her 4 months old daughter Lana Lourdes. But last Friday in one daily newspaper she unveiled her shocking truth- the father of her daughter is Goran Visnjic! It seams that this unemployed, self- supporting mother has decided to sell her privacy. In other words, one month ago some person from Sibenik called editorial of Story magazine in the name of Mirela Rupic. The person was offering an interview about the relationship between woman from Sibenik and Visnjic and also secretly taped conversations between Mirela Rupic and members of Visnjic family and all that for money. With that money she could solve her housing problem in Sibenik. Editorial of Story didn't want to pay that. That person (a man) told that is also negotiating with other Croatian editorials. After 3 weeks Mirela Rupic's lawyer, Nenad Skare (from Zagreb) addressed the public.... Nenad Skare then revealed that in the name of his client he is pressing charges at the County court of law in Zagreb so that the paternity would be tested and because of the alimony in amount of 10 000 kuna. "Considering Visnjic's incomes that is not too much" said Skare. That time he had forgotten to tell in public that Goran Visnjic, although he didn't make DNA test, is paying in last 4 months (that much is Lana Lourdes old) 1,500 American dollars every month on the account of her mother. It is known that Mirela Rupic has a 13 year old son from the marriage that ended recently. Her son lives with his father and her fellow-townsmen can't find nice words for her and her acts. There are some rumours that she is known for the similar scandals because she was demanding money in the past from different rich men in Sibenik. She had love affairs with them, say those who are informed well. Because of that she earned epithet of "sponzorusa " (woman that is "sponsored " by man). It seems that her last victim is Goran Visnjic who recently, after 9 years, told "goodbye " to the popular TV serial "Hitna sluzba" ("ER", in English). In this difficult personal moment Goran has the unselfish support of his wife Ivana, their families and also friends who consider him as very honorable and fair person. However, he decided to make a confession in this exclusive interview and only in Story magazine. He also revealed how much joy his little 3 month old adopted son Tin brought to his family life although his (Goran's) life was not so easy in the last month because of the scandal. Interview in Story magazine is the actor's first and only public conversation on this subject that is not coming down from the front pages of newspapers or the first minutes in TV News.
Story: When did you and from who did you for the first time found out that 36 old Mirela Rupic, student from Sibenik, is telling that you are father of her daughter? GV: I found it from her. She called me telling me that she is in the fifth month of pregnancy and that I am the father. S: Is it true, as she is telling, that you are having a telephone contact all the time? GV: No. At the beginning she was calling me often trying to threaten me. I told to Ivana for what she is accusing me and I let her hear the message in which Mirela Rupic is threatening that she is going to ruin my marriage and that I should think about how much her silence costs, 200 000 Euros or 2 million Euro
S: In one daily newspaper Mirela Rupic was accusing your wife Ivana for leaving insulting messages on her telephone machine. Is there any truth in those accusations? GV: After I told Ivana what have happened and after she heard a message of Mirela Rupic, Ivana called her. Mirela Rupic hang up on her after Ivana told her that her marriage is too strong and that this kind of person cannot destroy it. Because she didn't want to hear what she is telling to her (obviously she wasn't too happy about the things that were said), Ivana left her a message in which she told her that she is not the first or the last person that is trying to catch a famous person, just for a lot of money and five minutes of glory. At the end she told her that she is feeling sorry for the child that has such mother. Of course she wasn't polite or kind to her in that message, but who would be in her place? S: Tell us how long do you know Mirela Rupic and is it true that you were in the relationship with her last summer, as the national medias are writing? G: I know Mirela Rupic since primary/elementary school, but I haven't seen her until last summer, and I saw her only one time. It is funny that newspapers write that we were seen in restaurants because paparazzi follow me all across Croatia. Do you really think that this would stay unnoticed in such small place? S: What actually happened last summer when you came to Croatia without wife Ivana and why did she join you on your vacation 2 weeks later? GV: Last summer, when "Hitna sluzba" ( "ER" ) ended, Ivana and I were working on our new house. My mum had some difficulties with health and I haven't seen my parents for a year. Ivana suggested that I should go to Zaboric, to see my parents (Zaboric is a small village near Sibenik) and that she is going to stay and decorate because she was anyhow deciding how will house look like. Her parents came to visit us a few months earlier. I came to Croatia and since then I was in Sibenik only for one evening. The rest of the time I was in Zaboric at my parents together with my friend Paul (an actor from England who came to visit me with his wife and two kids). The other part of vacation I was spending with my friend from Sibenik and we were in Egypt. When I came from America, I went out to town to relax with my friends that I haven't seen for a year. That evening, at the same cafe was also Mirela Rupic who came to say Hi! because we haven't seen each other since primary school. However, every time when I come to Croatia, I go to Gavella (a cafe located in the theatre Gavella in Zagreb) to spend some time with my friends actors. That summer I didn't go to Gavella because I wasn't staying long in Zagreb without Ivana. I really miss my company (friends) when I'm in America. I work very, very hard there and I don't have time to party like people in Croatia do. Probably alcohol and jet lag made some influence on me. That is not something that I'm proud off but I'm ready to accept all consequences. About the details- believe me I don't remember anything. I only know that I would never do such a thing in a normal condition. I don't consider Mirela Rupic as an attractive woman, but that is not important now. It is important to say that I hurt the only woman that I care for, and that is Ivana. I don't have needs to cheat on my wife. I was always against the adultery. Because of that I'm sorry even more and it is unbelievable to me that I did that. My friends usually make fun of me because I'm always on phone with Ivana when she is not near me. I called her that night, of course, but I was boring to her because I was drunk. She didn't want to talk with me in that condition because I couldn't say anything distinct.
S: How did Ivana react when you told her what have happened? GV: Ivana and I came to America together 11 years ago. We were alone, without friends or family. In that time we were really getting to know each other and we connected more. We became the best friends. People in Croatia who don't know us have a totally wrong picture of our life. We live solitary life and like the most to stay at home with our animals, and especially now when we have a child. Ivana knows very well that I'm not some womanizer and that I don't have mistresses. If she would think so, the easiest thing for her would be to say "go to hell" and throw me out of the house. She lives in L.A. just because of me and my work. By the law of the land where we were married, she can take my house and 50 percent of all my incomes, that belongs to her automatically. Ivana is a person that doesn't tolerate any kind of mistreat. She tells everything direct, in face. In this case she supports me 100 percent, also her family. That means a lot to me and it absolutely makes horrible situation easier for me. I cannot describe how sorry I am that I was so stupid, that this happened to me and that I have hurt so many innocent people, and before all Ivana and our families. S: What do you think who is the father of little Lana Lourdes? GV: I don't know. The DNA test will show. S: Why didn't you make tests earlier. In that way you wouldn't be involved in this media thing? GV: This media thing was impossible to avoid. I told to Mirela Rupic that she should be careful not to involve some innocent child in this scandal that will follow her all her life (and there is not important if child is or isn't mine). I wanted to protect the baby that didn't do anything wrong that is happening now. To me and Ivana is easier because we are far away from everything and we don't have to go to Croatia at all, but she is the one that lives there and that innocent child will grow up there, go to school and listen all those ugly comments. I told her that I will make tests in America and if child is really mine, I will pay for it. I told her that we should not go in public with this in the sake of child. Mirela Rupic told me that she doesn't have money. When baby was born I offered her to send 1 000 dollars a month and that I will make a DNA test in the future. She told me that she is a student and that this amount its not enough for her, so she wanted 1,500 dollars a month. After a few months she asked for more money. I told her that monthly salary of my brother and his wife in Sibenik is 8,000 kuna (1,500 dollars) and that they are taking care of two children with that money. S: Do you still support her with money? GV: Yes, of course, with 1,500 dollars a month. S: Why did you agree to support her without having DNA test? GV: Mirela Rupic was complaining that she doesn't have enough money for living. We are supporting one child in Indonesia for years, we supported operation of one child in Croatia, we gave some medical equipment to hospital in Sibenik, we are helping de-mining of the Croatian territory and give money to different associations for saving animals. So we decided to help Mirela Rupic until the DNA tests are made.
S: It is known that Mirela Rupic is a mother of a 13 year old boy who doesn't live with her and it is supported by a father, her ex husband. If she cares about the girl and if the DNA test will show that you are the father- wil you fight for guardianship? GV: I'm sorry but Mirela Rupic have showed that her priority is not that poor child. I think that would be better for this child, like any other child in similar situation, to grow up in a better situation and condition. Unfortunately, they told me that it is not possible in Croatia to get full guardianship if mother doesn't agree. I cannot see a child that constantly hears bad things about me and my family. One day, when she grows up, she is free to come here to talk to me and if she will grow up in a good-mannered creature, i don't see why wouldn't we be in good relations. Of course, I expect from here to treat my family with respect. S: Mirela Rupic allegedly offered to numerous croatian editorials an interview and also audio- tapes of the conversation that she was having with you and with members of your family. Do you have any comment on that? GV: Audio tapes, if they really exist, are just a proof that this woman was planning blackmailing from the very beginning. She planned to promote herself in newspapers. Why would she tape telephone conversations when they are not valid in court? Today everyone can make mounting (fake tapes) so that it looks like you said something that they want. I'm not interested in that at all. S: There are some rumours that Mirela Rupic was noticed on the internet site Index.hr under pseudonym. She was insulting your wife accusing her that "she made an expedition adopting a child because she was jealous that she cannot give you biological"? GV: I don't understand how someone can be so cruel and to insult women that cannot get pregnant? It is the same is if you would insult someone who has cancer or any other hard disease. About Ivana- she made all medical tests and she absolutely can get pregnant, but it is not important to either of us is the baby biological or not. We are letting nature to decide when and are we going to have our biological child. And about "expedition " of adopting- for God's sake people- do you really think that a child can be adopted over night?! We first started asking around adoption in Croatia 2 years ago! In America we've been in the process for 1,500 year. In that time social service was checking everything about us, and also our medical condition. In several times they talked to me and Ivana, together or individual, they were talking with 5 our friends and they visited our house. That is not a simple process.
S: Why have you and your wife decided to adopt child in America and not in Croatia? Is it true that over there you had an oportunity to choose biological mother of your child? GV: We adopted a child in America only because of the American law that doesn't allow anyone who hasn't got American passport to adopt a child from another country and bring it to America. By this law- we would first have to live with that child in Croatia for 2 years and then we could bring it into country. That was just impossible. They told us that only way for us (because we have green cards) is to adopt child in America. It is the law, I didn't write it. At the end- it was not important for us where is child coming from. And about choosing- biological mother is the one that chooses the right family for her child. She gets our biographies, but without names or photos. Agency send that to her. If she decides that she wants us- she can ask to meet us- and you can say yes or no to that. However, here is this process very opened and people get to know biological mothers. S: Now you are the father to the 3 months old little son Tin. How much has Tin changed your life? GV: It is a big responsibility to have a child and that is why Ivana and I were in the marriage for a long time without kids. That definitely changed the rhythm of our sleep, but it is absolutely great joy! In every case- this is one beautiful experience! S: What is your favorite way of spending time with your son? GV: I tell him stories, legends, I say funny things! He likes to hold my fingers. I sing "Maslina " to him and Ivana doesn't allow song "Zeko i potocic" if the end of that song is not changed into something more happy. S: Are you one of those fathers who have nothing against changing diapers, putting baby to sleep and feeding...? GV: I don't hate those things, but there are a lot of things that I don't know and I am a bit clumsy so I let Ivana do that. S: Describe baby Tin. GV: He is very joyful and vivid, likes reggae and Bob Marley. He doesn't cry and when he wants something he just yells and then he waits for our reaction. If we don't react, he yells a few more times but there are no tears. Just demands. He likes to be carried in arms. S: Recently you christened your son. What was the ceremony like? GV: We did that in the Croatian church in America, Church of St. Ante (Saint Ante/Anthony). The ceremony was solemn and beautiful, especially when our Don Mate (Matthew) spoke to us as to a mother and father. Then you figure what is really happening. Ivana's parents and our closest friends that live here were with us. Unfortunately, my family couldn't come and Ivana's brothers also. It is hard to bring them all together. America is to far away, but my folks will visit their grandson this autumn. S: Are you planning to adopt another child in the future or maybe to do something about you biological one? GV: Ivana and I certainly want to have more children. Is Ivana going to give a birth to a child or are we going to adopt another one- I don't know, but we want for our Tin to grow up with a brother or sister. THE END