– Exploiting a vulnerable woman for profit is not journalism—it's heartless manipulation that tears families apart.
That's what Angelina Verrett says after reading the Se og Hør editor's statements in VG's article that their mother is under contract with Se og Hør.
Editor Ulf André Andersen has stated that the magazine has used «ordinary journalistic methods» in their coverage of her brother, Durek Verrett. He has also described Verrett's mother as «a very upstanding and present woman» and said that Verrett's mother «has every right to tell her story as she has experienced it».
The two siblings, Angelina and Brandon, also want to give a joint statement:
– It is apparent to us that Se og Hør has an established pattern and practice it uses to obtain content from select individuals whose cooperation serves to validate its ‘reporting’ on the persons subject to its focus, which in the case of our brother, Durek, has fueled the publication’s narrative that he lacks integrity, is uncompassionate towards our mother, and is undeserving of his fiancé and her family’s love and warm embrace; none of which could be further from the truth.
– We encourage the people of Norway to carefully consider the revelations detailed in VG’s report and make their own judgments, and we urge Se og Hør to leave our family alone.
This is the case
Durek's mother under contract to See and Hear
In VG's article, it comes to light that Durek's mother is under contract with Se og Hør. Over the past year, the magasine has published several interviews with her mother, where she is quoted as saying «Durek has brainwashed Märtha» and «I want to warn all Norwegians against my own son».
Se og Hør journalist was friend of Ari Behn
The article also reveals that the Se og Hør journalist who is the author of articles was a close friend of princess Märtha Louise's ex-husband, the writer and painter Ari Behn (1972-2019). The journalist says he has had no agenda against Verrett.
After his death, one of Behn's friends investigated Durek
VG's article describes contact between the journalist and a friend of Behn who, after his death, set in motion a private investigation of Durek Verretts past. The investigation resulted in a report that was attempted distributed to individuals in and around the Royal Family. See and Hør's editor-in-chief strongly refutes that the magazine or the magazine's reporters were involved.
Editor-in-Chief Ulf André Andersen told VG that he has nothing more to add, than his previous statements. VG has also done a separate interview with the editor-in-chief. Read it here.
Mother on contract
A few weeks earlier, Angelina Verrett (50) and Brandon Clarke (42) embrace each other in a big hug as they meet among the skyscrapers this spring day in New York.
They are two of Durek Verrett's total of four siblings.
This is the first time Angelina and Brandon will be speaking to the press. Also present during the interview was Durek Verrett's manager at the time, Simon Valvik.
They approach this interview with conflicting emotions, after Se og Hør has over the past year published several interviews with their mother, Veruschka Urquhart.
For a long time, they have been convinced that their mother gets paid by Se og Hør. Now, they have just had their suspicion confirmed:
Their mother is under contract with Se og Hør.
– I'm sorry, it's a little difficult. I'm kind of searching for the words here, says Brandon.
– To turn a mother against her own family by giving her money - that's exploitation at the highest level, Angelina says.
Tears run down her cheek.
– The exploitation of my mother needs to end
About their relationship with Durek, the siblings have several stories to share with VG.
Durek Verrett was born in California in 1974. He was number four in the sibling pack, coming two years after his sister Angelina.
Angelina and Durek are the only ones in the sibling pack who share the same mother and father. When Durek was four years old, his parents divorced, says Angelina.
Their mother moved to New York. Durek and Angelina stayed with their father in their neighborhood in California. Angelina describes a fine upbringing with good conditions.
She has a lot of memories.
– One of my most treasured memories was when we'd gather 'round, giggling and excited, as we played records, with the disco ball casting its glow.
– We'd lose ourselves dancing, and spinning in an array of colorful lights. It was like stepping into our own enchanted world, where only happiness lives with good vibes. They were such fun times.
Grew up on the other side of the country
A few years after the divorce of Durek's mother and father, Brandon was born. He grew up on the other side of the country, in New York with his father and their common mother.
Brandon and Durek did not live under the same roof, nor did they meet until a few years into Brandon's childhood.
The two therefore did not have the typical sibling relationship. Brandon nevertheless remembers the first meeting well.
– The first time he came to visit me, he brought with him action figures that he had had from his own childhood. He wanted me to have them.
When Brandon was a teenager, Durek brought his own game console and video games as a gift. And so it went on. Over the years, the relationship has evolved into something very special, Brandon says.
– He is loving and caring and devoted to his family. He loves with his whole heart, he says.
Gave the brother her kidney
The three siblings today live quite different lives.
Brandon is a government employee in New York City, and although Angelina works closely with Durek through his company, a long time can elapse between each time the three are brought together.
But once they gather, everything is as before.
– Whether at a birthday party, baby shower, or mid-summer gathering, the time we spend together is something to treasure, says Brandon.
When asked about her relationship with her brother, Durek, Angelina's eyes tears up again.
– I've been very close with him since we were kids.
She also acted as a mother figure to him, she says.
– My relationship with my brother has been very tight, very protective. We've been through some times together and had some challenges. But our relationship is through the end of time.
When Durek needed a new kidney several years ago, Angelina gave him one of hers.
– To be able to give my beloved brother the gift of life, was a beautiful thing.
– Started to make sense
Angelina and Brandon say they have lots of love for their mother.
Brandon says she, who is 80 years old, has barely been in work since the 1980s.
– We have financially helped our mother in different ways. We just want a better situation for her, says Angelina.
The three siblings made a decision that they would rather pay specific bills and expenses, rather than give her pocket money, they tell VG.
Brandon says he stopped giving her money some time after his father's death in October 2022, and some time before the articles were published in Se og Hør in March 2023.
– I saw the article that dropped. It started making all sense to me, says Angelina.
Brandon says his mother at one point told him she had gotten a new job as a housekeeper. That didn't make sense to him.
Not long afterwards, the first article appeared in Se og Hør.
— Totally crushed
When VG talks to the siblings, almost a year has passed since the mother's first article was published in Se og Hør.
They tell that the past year has been difficult. Even though the articles is published in Norway, it affects them and their family.
– The slander and the grief it has caused me and my family is just unbelievable, says Brandon.
Angelina continues:
– I'm exhausted. And I'm completely devastated in the things that I see that's written about my family, my brother, Shaman Durek. I don't know what tabloid would work so hard at destroying my life and my family's life.
Brandon says he understands the critical spotlight on Durek as a result of his marriage into the Norwegian royal family.
“But that doesn't give anyone the right to try to take advantage of a family member.
It's so upsetting.
– How is it for you as siblings to witness all of the articles about Durek?
– I feel for our brother, says Brandon, and continues:
– I feel for his fiancee, Princess Martha. I feel for his soon-to-be stepchildren. No one should have to endure what they've endured. There is already a certain amount of scrutiny and encroachment on their privacy that is inherent by virtue of the prominence that they have in the country.
– But this is just a different dynamic, where you are assailing somebody's character.
– What about you, Angelina?
– You know, it's very emotional. It's unfair. It's not fair that my brother has to endure all of this. I know when he came to Norway, he came with an open heart. He was very excited.
Her voice cracks, before she says:
– It’s a premeditated character assassinator on Durek.
– The things that have been said about my brother have been detrimental. It has hurt a lot, not only him, but to Märtha.
Brandon continues:
– I can no longer sit by and observe this occurring without speaking from the heart about what I know about our brother and his character. And also tell how this tears him apart.
They both say they feel helpless. They are also worried about what other articles might drop up against the wedding of their brother and Princess Märtha Louise.
– I just really hope that something can be done. No one should ever have to go through this, nor my brother and his family, his future wife, my family, my brother, our beloved mother. We love our mother, she says before her voice cracks again.
Brandon nods.
– This needs to end.