For better or worse, Nancy Grace has played a key role in shaping modern American punditry,
with millions of viewers looking to her as a sort of abrasive moral compass.
A self-described "crusader for victims rights," Grace arguably created more than a few new
victims herself, and she vowed to continue her work after leaving her top-rated HLN series
in October 2015.
You know what they say, though: judge not lest ye be judged yourself.
With that in mind, here's a closer look at the untold truth of Nancy Grace.
Her Fiancé Was Murdered
Before studying law, Grace pursued a degree in literature with the goal of becoming an
English professor.
At 19, her life and ambitions changed dramatically when her fiancé, Keith Griffin, was shot
and killed by a former co-worker.
Following his death, she enrolled in law school and went on to become a felony prosecutor
and victims' rights advocate.
Grace wrote about the crime in her 2005 book Objection! and referenced it in broadcasts
countless times, citing it as her reason for becoming prosecutor.
"I actually very rarely discuss it, other than alluding to it briefly if I'm asked questions
about it."
In 2006, though, Grace was taken to task in an article in the Observer which pointed out
numerous contradictions in her retelling of the story, leading some to accuse her of exploiting
the tragedy.
Still, Grace has vehemently denied any dishonesty.
Linked To Suicides
In 2006, Melinda Duckett appeared on Grace's show to discuss the disappearance of her two-year-old
son, Trenton. Grace pressed the mother for details, stating publicly that Duckett should
assume responsibility for the disappearance.
Before the episode could air, Duckett shot and killed herself.
Then in 2011, Toni Medrano was charged with second degree manslaughter for accidentally
killing her baby while sleeping on the couch with him after drinking a fifth of vodka.
Calling her the "Vodka Mom," Grace pushed on air for a murder charge.
Three weeks later, Medrano committed suicide by setting herself on fire.
In both cases, the families sued Grace, blaming the suicides on the resultant outpouring of
public shame following Grace's interviews.
Grace settled both cases out of court.
More Lawsuits
Grace has been sued multiple times throughout her career, and not just for driving guests
to suicide.
According to The Hollywood Reporter, she had to issue an apology to Michael Skakel after
incorrectly claiming on her show that his DNA had been found at a crime scene.
Skakel, a cousin of the Kennedy family who had infamously been convicted of murder in
2002 for the 1975 killing of neighbor Martha Moxley, was freed after 11 years of prison
for a retrial.
After Grace's televised comments, he sued her, alleging that her comments "hurt his
reputation and…chances of receiving a fair retrial."
They reached a settlement, which included Grace being forced to publish an admission
of incorrect reporting.
And according to the Associated Press, around the time of that settlement, another man sued
Grace for defamation.
Why?
Grace continued using his photo on air, and said this about him...
"This is a textbook serial killer's calling card."
...even after police cleared him of any wrongdoing.
Inspired Fictional Characters
Grace has inspired episodes in numerous crime series, including Law and Order: Special Victims
Unit, which based one storyline on the aforementioned suicide controversies, and Criminal Intent,
which developed Faith Yancy, a recurring character based on Grace.
Satirical news site The Onion pulls no punches with the character of Shelby Cross, a clear
and regular sendup of Grace on its news network, and she’s been routinely parodied everywhere
from Saturday Night Live to Funny or Die.
"Tonight Lady Justice lies weeping in a grave filled with lies."
Grace also reportedly inspired the character of Ellen Abbot in the novel and movie adaptation
of Gone Girl, an imitation she referred to as flattering and funny.
Accused Of Faking An Interview
In 2013, Grace and CNN's Ashleigh Banfield were accused of faking a split-screen satellite
interview while reporting on three women who escaped after being kidnapped in Ohio.
The wacky moment was exposed by The Wire, who noted a slew of bizarre details about
the alleged satellite interview—like, you know, how the same cars appeared to be zipping
past Grace and Banfield in the background and that they appeared to be standing in front
of the same building.
Nice job, you two.
Disgruntled Ex-Employee
When Grace confirmed in June 2016 that she was leaving HLN after 12 years, no one was
more happy to see her go than former employee Mary Cella.
Cella took to Twitter to publicly celebrate the news and share a few choice morsels about
what it was like, in her opinion, to work for Grace.
Cella tweeted "I'm celebrating Nancy Grace's departure from HLN by stomping on her headshot
while wearing the shoes she threw at me one time.
But first I'll hide in my cubicle, shaking in fear and sobbing uncontrollably for old
time's sake!"
"Maybe I'll cap off the evening by finally going to the orgy she once asked me, in front
of the whole staff, if I'd be attending after work.
Honestly, if I saw Nancy, I'd wish her well, except I wouldn't recognize her because she
looks like a blank sheet of paper without makeup."
Cella finished her epic rant with one final jab, saying, "Tweeting about a former employer
like this may not be classy, but I've seen Nancy eat her weight in waffles after 6pm,
so it feels fair."
Some Celebs Hate Her Too
Throughout Grace's many years on HLN, a handful of celebrities have expressed their disdain
over her controversial coverage.
Included on the list: actor Seth Rogen, who called Grace some choice words on Twitter
after she posted a handful of anti-marijuana tweets.
Grace later replied "Hi Seth!
[Thanks] for watching!", prompting model Chrissy Teigen to tweet: "He isn't watching.
No one smart is watching.
We are reading your dumba** tweets."
Meanwhile, sources for TMZ claimed in September 2011 that Love Story actor Ryan O'Neal dropped
out of Dancing with the Stars because he "can't stand" Grace.
According to the report, O'Neal—who claimed he simply had a bad knee—was upset by Grace's
coverage of his son's ongoing drug problems and suggestions that O'Neal had been a bad
parent.
Needless to say, she didn’t apologize.
"Love means never having to say you're sorry."
Oh, and speaking of Dancing with the Stars…
Fart Attack
In October 2011, the Internet went wild with speculation after a noise sounding very similar
to a...fart was heard during a post-dance interview with Grace on Dancing with the Stars.
"I saw them several times during the dance, and they were smiling so big."
(fart noise)
This led outlets such as TMZ to ponder if Grace had, indeed, dealt it.
For her part, Grace told TMZ that an "investigation" was underway to find the perpetrator, saying,
"As an ear witness on the scene, I can absolutely exonerate Tristan [MacManus], myself and Brooke
[Burke].
However, the rest of the cast—seated just inches away—all remain under grave suspicion.
But something about her story stinks.
"...so big."
(fart noise)
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