In July 2012, photographs showed Kristen Stewart and Rupert Sanders kissing, and both issued public apologies. Stewart’s statement named Rob—Robert Pattinson, her then-partner—and described the episode as a “momentary indiscretion.” Sanders, who was married to Liberty Ross, apologized for the pain caused to his family. Those photographs and statements establish the public record; they do not reveal every private detail of what happened between them.
What happened in July 2012?
Photographs of Stewart and Sanders kissing became public on July 25, 2012. At the time, Stewart was publicly associated with Robert Pattinson, and Sanders was married to Ross, who also appeared in Snow White and the Huntsman. Contemporary reports documented the photographs and the apologies that followed; they do not establish how long any relationship lasted or provide a complete account of its private circumstances. ABC News reported Stewart’s statement, while CBS Los Angeles reported Sanders’s response.
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What did Stewart and Sanders say?
Stewart’s apology
In a statement to People reproduced by ABC News on July 25, 2012, Stewart said, “I’m deeply sorry for the hurt and embarrassment I’ve caused to those close to me and everyone this has affected.” She called the incident a “momentary indiscretion” and apologized to Rob. Her statement confirms that she addressed the harm publicly and named him; it is not a detailed account of the events.
Sanders’s apology
Sanders told People, in a statement reproduced by CBS Los Angeles that day: “I am utterly distraught about the pain I have caused my family.” He also expressed hope that his family could get through the situation together.
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What did Liberty Ross say afterward?
In a 2013 Vanity Fair interview, Ross recalled that Sanders told her about the affair roughly 20 hours before the photographs surfaced. That timing is Ross’s recollection, not an independently measured timeline. She described the experience as “horrible” and said she realized the marriage was over, despite Sanders wanting to reconcile. Ross also reflected on their family and eventual forgiveness. These are her attributed memories and perspective, rather than details independently established by the photographs or the 2012 statements. Vanity Fair published Ross’s account on October 30, 2013.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Why wasn’t Stewart in the Snow White sequel?
In 2016, Stewart said she did not return for the planned sequel because the scripts she read were not good. As quoted by The Guardian from her interview with Variety, she said, “None of them were good. None of them were greenlight-able.” She also rejected the claim that she had been removed from the project as punishment for the 2012 incident. Her explanation records her account of the decision; it does not establish every studio-side motive. The Guardian reported her comments on May 10, 2016.
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What can—and can’t—be concluded?
- The public record shows Stewart and Sanders kissing in photographs released in July 2012, followed by apologies from both.
- Stewart’s statement named Rob and called the incident a “momentary indiscretion”; Sanders apologized to his family.
- Ross later described her own experience and recollection of when Sanders told her. Her account adds personal context, but it cannot establish every private detail for outside observers.
- Stewart said she did not return for the sequel because she found the scripts unsatisfactory and denied being dropped as punishment. The available account does not settle all studio decision-making.
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