SamboraBlog

Denise Richards: No Regrets On Sambora Actress Insists She Didn't Steal Him From Heather Locklear

(CBS) Actress Denise Richards said in an interview Monday that she's tired of the publicity surrounding her relationship with musician Richie Sambora, soon-to-be ex-husband of actress Heather Locklear.

"There are always two or three or four sides to every story," she told "Entertainment Tonight" in an interview aired Monday.

Richards said that it's not true that she and Locklear were best friends, and that she didn't begin seeing Sambora until after Locklear filed for divorce.

She added that her relationship with Sambora was not the cause of her breakup with her husband, actor Charlie Sheen. "We didn't meddle in anybody's marriage or anything like that," she said.

She said that she, Locklear, Sheen, and Sambora were all friendly with one another, but that she and Locklear were not "best friends." Although they were close in the last few years, their friendship is no longer "salvageable."

"If we were friends, I wouldn't be in this situation," she said.

She did admit that falling for Sambora was "not good, but it is what it is."

But, when asked if she cared what people thought of their relationship, she said, "I really don't care."

Another segment of Richards' interview on "Entertainment Tonight" airs June 13. In it, Richards talks about her mom's battle with cancer and the affect her divorce has had on her two children with Sheen.

Richards couldn't help falling for friend's ex

Denise Richards has spoken out for the first time about her relationship with Richie Sambora - and the reports that she betrayed her "best friend," Sambora's estranged wife, Heather Locklear, People magazine reports.

"The thing with Heather, that's been hard," she tells "Entertainment Tonight" in an interview that aired last night. "You know you can't help who you fall for and that friendship, unfortunately, was done and wasn't salvageable."

Richards, 35, was in Las Vegas Friday night to emcee a performance by the Pussycat Dolls when she spoke with ET.

In the interview, she insists that her relationship with Sambora, 46, which began shortly after Locklear filed for divorce from the Bon Jovi guitarist, was "the last thing I was looking for," adding, "it's true when they say things happen when you least expect it."

In terms of her relationship with Locklear, Richards says they were never "best friends" as has been reported. "People have gone on - 'Would you date your best friend['s husband]?'" she says. "You know, she wasn't my best friend. She was a close friend in the last couple of years. I hadn't known her my whole life [like] people [are] portraying this."

Still, Richards admits, "[It's] been tough having people think that I'm such a crappy friend."

She also insists that Sambora and Locklear's marriage was over - as was her own union with Charlie Sheen - before she and Sambora got together. "We didn't meddle in marriages and anything like that."

As for her divorce from Sheen, Richards says of her allegations in court documents that he threatened to kill her, "Unfortunately the thing with Charlie and I - that was a court document that became public. I didn't hand it to a tabloid and say, 'Here, print this.' And it's sad, and it's horrible that it's gotten to the point that it's gotten to."

A judge recently extended a restraining order requiring Sheen to stay at least 300 yards away from Richards and their daughters Sam, 2, and Lola, 1.

The events have changed Richards, she tells ET: "I was always a people pleaser and I just finally got to the point in my life after having my daughters and going through a really ugly divorce ... I've just gotten to the point where life is so short and I just want to be happy."

Sheen's ex denies being homewrecker

HOLLYWOOD -- Denise Richards says her romance with Bon Jovi guitarist Richie Sambora doesn't give love a bad name.

In an interview with Entertainment Tonight, the actress, currently going through a very public divorce with Charlie Sheen, says her relationship with Sambora was the "last thing I was looking for ... It's true when they say things happen when you least expect it."

But she denies backstabbing Heather Locklear, who was married to Sambora. "The thing with Heather, that's been hard ... you know you can't help who you fall for and that friendship, unfortunately, was done and wasn't salvageable. People have gone on ... Would you date your best (friend's husband)? You know she wasn't my best friend. She was a close friend in the last couple of years ... (It's) been tough having people think that I'm such a crappy friend."

And she stresses her and Sambora's relationship didn't break up their marriages. "We didn't meddle in marriages."

Denise Richards: You Can’t Help Who You Fall For

Denise Richards opened up about her relationship with Richie Sambora and her frenemy Heather Locklear on Entertainment Tonight last night. Richards denied she was the reason behind the breakup of Sambora and Locklear’s marriage and says that she and Locklear were never besties.

“The thing with Heather, that’s been hard. Because people think that I’m such, you know, a crappy friend. You know, you can’t help who you fall for and that friendship, unfortunately, was done and wasn’t salvageable,” she said.

“She wasn’t my best friend. She was a close friend in the last couple of years. I hadn’t known her my whole life. That’s been tough. Having people think I’m such a crappy friend because, if we were friends, I wouldn’t be in this situation, but we’re not. It is what it is. It’s unfortunate.”

“I filed for divorce over a year ago and wasn’t having anything to do with their marriage or another person. Their marriage ended having nothing to do with myself.”

Us spoke to Richards at her debut with the Pussycat Dolls at Cesar’s Palace in Las Vegas and asked her about her new gig as a burlesque performer and competitive martini glass-swimmer. Here’s what she had to say:

Us: The outfit you’re wearing in quite sexy, is that something fun and different for you to get a chance to dress like this?
DR: It’s fun for me because normally I’m running around in jeans and a tank top with my kids. To be able to get my hair and make-up done and wear very sexy clothes is great for me….I’m a mom but I can still be sexy. I think mom’s are sexy! It’s fun, it’s fantasy for me.

Us: Would you wear it for your boyfriend?
DR: Oh, I’m not talking about that. I think any guys would love this outfit though.

Us: Since you’re in such a great place and moving forward do you think we can hear wedding bells for you again?
DR: Oh, well, I’m really happy right now and in a good place, I couldn’t ask for anything more.