A woman who was part of a teenage gang called the Bling Ring that stole $3 million worth of merchandise from celebrities’ homes claims she has “empathy” for her former self.
Alexis Haines, who lives in Los Angeles, reflected on her involvement in the crimes that took place between 2008 and 2009 in a conversation with ITV’s Lorraine ahead of new Channel 4 documentary Bling Ring: Hollywood Heist.
She claimed that each member of the group had different motives for attacking stars like Paris Hilton and Lindsey Lohan, but her own was to fund a drug addiction.
Alexis said she had “empathy” for the woman she was at the time of the offences, and claimed her apology to Orlando Bloom – whose home she was involved in the theft – was edited out of the documentary.
Alexis served just over a month in jail for stealing from Orlando Bloom (pictured) to fund her drug addiction
Alexis Haines (pictured), who lives in Los Angeles, reflected on the robbery at Orlando Bloom’s home during a conversation with ITV’s Lorraine
The Bling Ring stole more than $3 million worth of cash, art, jewelry and designer goods while checking gossip sites to see if their crimes were under investigation.
A clip from the new documentary, which airs tonight at 10.05pm on Channel 4, reveals that the group found a key to Paris Hilton’s house under her doormat after she returned to rob her home for a second time .
Alexis Haines was sentenced to 188 days in prison for robbing Orlando Bloom’s home but served just over a month.
Daily TV presenter Lorraine admitted she was “fascinated” by the documentary but was curious how Alexis justified her actions at the time of the crime.
Alexis said: “We all had different motivations, but I know for myself that I was really struggling with a bad drug addiction. It was a kind of financial means to an end and a way to keep getting high.
“Before that I was never in trouble and was a pretty good kid growing up. My addiction definitely got a lot worse as I got older and into my late teens.
“I didn’t think about the consequences that night. I was literally just thinking how I could get more money to keep being charged.’
Alexis said the new documentary doesn’t glorify the crimes of the bling ring as much as a film portrayal of Sofia Coppola that was released in 2013.
Alexis, who claims she was not involved in the Bling Ring’s other crimes (pictured), said she has since dedicated her life to helping other people on their road to recovery
Alexis continued, “I think the documentary spin is like a pop culture spin that tells the story. It’s tempting and captivating for the audience to keep people to themselves.
“Miles did an incredible job and that’s why I was so excited to do this project. It’s really about talking about the underlying issues that are at play for us in society and culture that really motivated us to do what we did.
“That doesn’t glorify it at all. I’m not worried about that.
“I’m happy to say I’m no longer a twice-convicted criminal and that’s because I’ve used it as a turning point. Going to jail was the best thing that ever happened to me and it saved my life.
“A lot of people know that addiction is dangerous and going to jail has really been the best thing for me. It allowed me to take some time out of my life and see that my behavior and the illness I was dealing with, addiction and alcoholism, would kill me.
“I am now 11 years sober, own an alcohol and drug treatment center with my husband, and have dedicated my entire life to helping others along the road to recovery.
“None of this would have been possible if this hadn’t turned out the way it did.”
Alexis told presenter Lorraine (pictured left) that she had a traumatic upbringing and therefore has empathy for her teenage self
Despite the bling ring’s extensive criminal record, Alexis claims she was only involved in the robbery of Orlando Bloom.
Daily presenter Lorraine asked Alexis if she had a chance to apologize to the Hollywood actor, to which Alexis replied that as a young woman she had a lot of “empathy” for herself.
Alexis said: “A lot of people don’t realize that I grew up in a really traumatic environment in a very toxic household. It had every form of abuse.
“And so I have a lot of empathy for myself.
“Regarding Orlando Bloom, I’ve made many public statements saying that of course I wouldn’t do what I did if I could turn back time. At the same time, in a strange way, that moment saved my life.
“Bizarrely, I’m so grateful to him because I really don’t think I would be alive today if I hadn’t gone to jail and gotten treatment.
Alexis (pictured) said she has made many public statements sharing her regret but believes she would not have been alive had she not been caught stealing
“In the documentary, I had a very long, emotional apology that was shortened. I feel terrible about what I have done and there are no words.
“There aren’t enough excuses I could give to do better.”
Alexis’ appearance on the daytime program left viewers unimpressed because many alleged criminals were not to be given a public platform.
Taking to Twitter, one person wrote: “As a victim of multiple burglaries, how does #Lorraine give these burglars air? They may have targeted celebrities, but they are still human and their homes have still been invaded! shocking’
Another said: “How can they justify making stupid American thieves famous? No matter who they broke into, they still broke into someone’s house and broke the law.
A third added: “#Lorraine why the hell are you contributing to the glorification of criminals? It’s bad enough they made a TV series. What’s wrong with you?’
A stream of viewers took to Twitter to complain that ITV shouldn’t provide a platform for criminals