The Taste chef Nigella Lawson admits although her two former assistants had been on trial late last year for fraud, she felt like she was the one on trial and the information exposed to the public during the court case was humiliating.
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"I have to be honest, to have not only your private life but distortions of your private life put on display is mortifying. But there are people going through an awful lot worse and to dwell on it -- to dwell on any of it -- would be self-pity and I don't like to do that."
Lawson recently testified against her two former personal assistants Francesca Grillo and Elisabetta Grillo, who had been arrested and charged with swindling Lawson's now ex-husband Charles Saatchi, 70, out of nearly $500,000. The Grillo sisters claimed Lawson allowed them to use Saatchi's company credit card in return for their silence about her alleged drug abuse.
During the trial, Lawson admitted she had occasionally smoked cannabis and used cocaine to counter the accusation she had been abusing drugs for more than 10 years. Her July 2013 divorce -- which allegedly resulted from Saatchi physically assaulting her -- also came to light once again.
The Grillos were ultimately acquitted of the fraud in late December, and Lawson elaborated on her stressful experience in court this morning.
"In the English legal system, you're not allowed any counsel if you're a witness, but maybe that will change. Maybe that's good," Lawson explained.
"My only desire really was to protect my children [Cosima and Bruno] as much as possible, which I couldn't do, but that's what I wanted to do."
People reported Lawson saying early last month that she is completely drug-free. During her GMA appearance, the reality TV star seemed in good spirits and laughed about how she's currently doing quite well despite the circumstances.
"Actually since then, I've eaten a lot of chocolate," Lawson admitted. "I had a very good Christmas and I'm into the New Year!"
The second season of The Taste premieres tonight on ABC.
About The Author: Elizabeth Kwiatkowski
