Sydney Leathers: Weiner's 'sexting' partner goes public
Woman who swapped hundreds of messages with 'Carlos Danger' is now 'disgusted' by US politician
SHE'S the woman the New York Post calls a "Bible Belt bad girl", a politics student who likes polar bears, President Obama and pink hair extensions.
For several months, 23-year-old Illinois college student Sydney Leathers also thought she liked – or rather loved – Anthony Weiner, the politician campaigning to be New York's next mayor.
The pair began exchanging sexually explicit text messages and photographs, despite the fact it was out-of-control 'sexting' that had caused the former congressman's humiliating fall from grace a year earlier.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Now Leathers has gone public, telling American TV programme Inside Edition she's disgusted by the twice-disgraced politician who sometimes used the psuedonym Carlos Danger to send her salacious messages and photographs.
"Anthony Weiner is responsible for his downfall," said Leathers, who is studying political science at university."I feel sick about it. I'm disgusted by him. He is not who I thought he was."
Asked by Inside Edition presenter Jim Moret if she thought 48-year-old Weiner was a "dirty old man", Leathers said it was a description Weiner had applied to himself.
"He actually said that about himself to me," she said. "The exact wording is that he is an argumentative, perpetually horny middle-aged man."
Leathers said her online relationship with Weiner began in June 2011 when he resigned from Congress in disgrace after sending photographs of his penis to women he barely knew. Leathers sent him a message on Facebook criticising his behaviour, but received no reply.
A year later, in July 2012, the former congressman 'poked' her on Facebook – the social media site's version of saying 'hello'. At first, the conversation was mainly about Leathers's political blog, but she says it quickly turned sexual at his instigation.
In one message he writes: "What are you wearing? Much for me to take off? I'd hold u by the throat."
Leathers says the relationship was a "fantasy" for both of them. At one point she sent him a message that said: "I basically worship the ground you walk on. You're incredible."
The last time Leathers spoke to Weiner was four months ago when he announced he was running in New York's mayoral election. He sent her a text that said: "Do me a solid. Can you hard delete all our chats here."
Leathers says she feels sorry for Weiner's long-suffering wife, Huma Abedin, and would like to apologise to her. "I just feel very, very sorry for my part and the pain that she obviously feels," she told Moret.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
The far-right conspiracy conduit who will be Trump's information gatekeeper
In the Spotlight How Natalie Harp rose from obscurity to trusted Trump aide
By David Faris Published
-
'Vance stands at a crossroads'
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
By Justin Klawans, The Week US Published
-
Taylor Swift wraps up record-shattering Eras tour
Speed Read The pop star finally ended her long-running tour in Vancouver, Canada
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Instant Opinion: Corbyn, not Johnson is ‘Britain’s Donald Trump’
In Depth Your guide to the best columns and commentary on Thursday 14 November
By The Week Staff Published
-
Could Hillary Clinton run for president again?
Speed Read Speculation mounts of a third bid - and no law prevents the Democrat from running
By Chas Newkey-Burden Last updated
-
Instant Opinion: confusion surrounding Brexit is ‘the whole idea’
In Depth Your guide to the best columns and commentary on Wednesday 23 October
By The Week Staff Published
-
Hillary Clinton appears in New York - naked and hooved
Speed Read Life-sized statue prompts a scuffle outside subway station - and other tall tales
By The Week Staff Published
-
'Domestic incident' just man shouting at Hillary Clinton on TV
Speed Read 'High decibel profanities' came from Donald Trump supporter - and other tall tales
By The Week Staff Published
-
Michelle Obama's convention speech: The highlights
In Depth Universally acclaimed address put 'Hillary Clinton in the mainstream and Trump far outside it', say critics
By The Week Staff Published
-
Forbes most powerful women list: Taylor Swift makes history
Speed Read Merkel still reigns supreme, but Hillary Clinton is 'just a breath and a ballot away' from the top spot
By The Week Staff Published
-
Run, Warren, run! The woman liberals prefer over Hillary
In Depth Jeb Bush v Hillary Clinton in 2016? Or would another Democrat, Elizabeth Warren, be a bolder choice?
By Charles Laurence Published