Levi Johnston
{{Use mdy dates|date=April 2023}}
{{short description|American model and actor (born 1990)}}
{{Infobox person
| name = Levi Johnston
| image = Levi Johnston at Minnesota Republican Convention.jpg
| caption = Johnston at the 2008 Republican National Convention
| birth_name = Levi Keith Johnston
| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1990|5|3|mf=yes}}
| birth_place = Wasilla, Alaska, U.S.
| occupation =
| spouse = {{marriage|Sunny Oglesby|2012}}
| partner = Bristol Palin (2005–2010)
| children = 4
| relatives =
}}
Levi Keith Johnston (born May 3, 1990) is best known as the twice-former fiancé of Bristol Palin and father of their son Tripp. He first received media attention in August 2008 when U.S. vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin announced that her daughter Bristol was five months pregnant by Johnston and that the two were engaged. The couple ultimately ended their relationship, and Johnston and the Palin family engaged in several public feuds.
After working in the Alaskan oil fields, Johnston pursued a career in the entertainment industry, aspiring to be a model and an actor. He has written a book based on his experiences with the Palins, titled Deer in the Headlights.
Early life and education
Johnston was born in Wasilla, Alaska, the first-born child of Sherry (née Sampson) and Keith Johnston. Levi has one sibling, Mercede "Sadie" Johnston. Levi attended Wasilla High School, where he played on the hockey team, but did not graduate. He worked full-time on the Alaska North Slope oil fields as an apprentice electrician, quitting in January 2009.
Relationship with Bristol Palin
According to Johnston, he and Bristol Palin began dating during their freshman year of high school. After losing a promise ring on a caribou hunt, Johnston had Bristol's name tattooed on his finger.
Following the announcement that she would be Senator John McCain's running mate in the November 2008 U.S. presidential election, Sarah Palin announced that her daughter Bristol was pregnant by Johnston, and that the two would be married. Johnston denied claims that he was being pressured into a shotgun wedding, stating, "We were planning on getting married a long time ago with or without the kid. That was the plan from the start." The couple's son, Tripp Easton Mitchell Johnston, was born in December 2008, but the two broke off their engagement in March 2009. In May 2009, Johnston said that their relationship was improving and that they were determined to jointly raise Tripp. Later, Bristol began a child custody case against Johnston, seeking sole custody and child support.
In July 2010, Bristol Palin and Johnston announced that they had reunited and were engaged for the second time; less than three weeks later, they ended their second engagement.
Media attention
=During the 2008 U.S. presidential election=
Johnston attended the 2008 Republican National Convention with the Palin family. While Sarah Palin was delivering her prime-time nomination acceptance speech, the cameras frequently cut away to Johnston and Bristol. Johnston shook hands onstage with Sarah Palin's running mate, Republican presidential candidate, Senator John McCain, and was treated as a member of Palin's family.
=2009 interviews=
After his 2009 breakup with Bristol, Johnston gave a series of nationally televised interviews. He appeared on The Tyra Banks Show with his mother and sister. Remarking on Bristol's public appearances to promote sexual abstinence, Johnston told The Early Show that "abstinence is a great idea" but said it was unrealistic to think it is going to work for teens. In another interview, he said that he was "pretty sure" Sarah Palin had known that he and Bristol were having sex in the family's house.
The Palin family denounced Johnston's statements as lies, with one public statement reading, "We're disappointed that Levi and his family, in a quest for fame, attention, and fortune, are engaging in flat-out lies, gross exaggeration, and even distortion of their relationship."
In August 2009, Johnston speculated that Sarah Palin's early resignation from office was due to long-standing marital difficulties, the pressures of the job, and lucrative book and other media offers. In a September 2009 Vanity Fair interview, Johnston alleged that Sarah Palin initially wanted the couple to keep Bristol's pregnancy a secret and offered to adopt the baby and raise him as her own, but that he and Bristol rejected the plan. In response, Sarah told the media Johnston's statements were "untrue, malicious, and appalling", emphasizing that she highly appreciated her children and commenting that Johnston's photoshoots were "attention-seeking and desperate".
=2010 apology and subsequent retraction=
In July 2010, a week prior to the announcement that he and Bristol were engaged a second time, Johnston issued a statement, saying, "I publicly said things about the Palins that were not completely true. I have already privately apologized to Todd and Sarah. Since my statements were public, I owe it to the Palins to publicly apologize." After the brief second engagement ended, Johnston said that he regretted issuing the apology, saying, "it kind of makes me sound like a liar. I've never lied about anything."
2011 Wasilla mayoral election
In August 2010, Johnston announced his candidacy for the October 2011 election for mayor of Wasilla, Alaska, saying he wanted his son, Tripp, to be proud of him. Incumbent mayor Verne E. Rupright responded that Johnston's announcement was a little early and said "I think it would be wise for him to get a high school diploma and keep his clothes on"—a reference to Johnston's modeling career.{{cite web|url=https://www.nydailynews.com/entertainment/gossip/alaska-mayor-responds-levi-johnston-bid-high-school-diploma-clothes-article-1.203210?outputType=amp|work=New York Daily News|date=August 11, 2010|title=Alaska mayor responds to Levi Johnston's bid: Get a high school diploma and keep your clothes on|author=Cristina Everett}} Bristol Palin responded saying that she was unaware of Johnston's political ambitions, adding "I'm glad that Levi has not given up on completing his education and is looking for steady employment." Johnston's manager stated he hoped to copy the rise of Sarah Palin from mayor of Wasilla to governor of Alaska, "creating a rural, Alaskan version of the Bush political dynasty." It was reported that Johnston's bid for mayor would tie into his proposed reality television series.{{cite web|url=http://www.usmagazine.com/entertainment/news/levi-johnston-to-run-for-mayor-of-wasilla-201098|work=US Magazine|title=Levi Johnston to Run for Mayor of Wasilla|date=August 9, 2010|author=UsWeekly Staff}}
In September 2010, Public Policy Polling reported that Johnston had become the most unpopular person polled in his home state, with a six percent approval and 72 percent disapproval rating, replacing former Democratic presidential candidate and senator John Edwards.
In August 2011, six weeks before the October 4 election, Johnston dropped out of the race.
Other activities
Johnston hired Anchorage, Alaska, attorney Rex Butler (who was previously best known for representing criminal defendants and handling civil litigation) to represent him in his pursuit of a career in the entertainment industry. The Associated Press reported in July 2009 that Johnston was also pursuing a movie deal.
Johnston and comedian Kathy Griffin attended the 2009 Teen Choice Awards together. She later stated that he was "surprisingly sweet and courteous" to her. Johnston and Griffin's acquaintance is documented in the sixth season of Griffin's reality television series, Kathy Griffin: My Life on the D-List. Additionally, as a gag in her stand-up comedy routine, Griffin often referred to the acquaintance as a relationship, and Johnston as her boyfriend.
In October 2009, Johnston appeared in a television commercial for Roll International, makers of Wonderful Pistachios, as part of their "Get Crackin" advertising campaign. The commercial features Johnston, with a bodyguard, opening a pistachio as a voice-over states, "Now Levi Johnston does it with protection."
It was reported that Johnston would pose fully nude for Playgirl magazine; however, following a statement by Sarah Palin that referred to Johnston's "aspiring porn career", it was announced that Johnston's photo shoot would not include full frontal nudity.
Politico reported in April 2010 that Johnston was working on a memoir "that would air the true story of the Palin household." Johnston's book, Deer in the Headlights: My Life in Sarah Palin's Crosshairs, was published in September 2011.Deer in the Headlights: My Life in Sarah Palin's Crosshairs, September 20, 2011, Touchstone, ({{ISBN|978-1-4516-5165-2}})
Johnston appeared as a celebrity coach to Logan Cummins in the pilot of a reality television show titled Mansformation released in May 2013.{{cite AV media |url-status = dead |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20140514094458/http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bbY38mw2lAA |archive-date = May 14, 2014| url = https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bbY38mw2lAA |title = YouTube, a Google company |website=YouTube}}{{cbignore}}
Personal life
Johnston married Sunny Oglesby on October 28, 2012.[http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/11/01/bristol-palin-smitten-joey-junker-levi-johnston-marries-sunny-oglesby_n_2059607.html "Bristol Palin, Joey Junker: Reality Star 'Smitten' With Snowmobiler"]. The Huffington Post. November 1, 2012. A month prior to the wedding, the couple's first daughter was born. Their second daughter was born in January 2015.[https://abcnews.go.com/blogs/entertainment/2012/09/levi-johnston-and-girlfriend-sunny-oglesby-welcome-daughter-breeze-beretta/ "Levi Johnston and Girlfriend Sunny Oglesby Welcome Daughter Breeze Beretta"]. ABC News. September 13, 2012.[http://www.nydailynews.com/entertainment/gossip/levi-johnston-girlfriend-sunny-oglesby-daughter-breeze-barette-johnston-article-1.1157883 "Levi Johnston, girlfriend Sunny Oglesby welcome daughter Breeze Beretta Johnston"]. Daily News (New York). September 13, 2012. Their third daughter was born on July 10, 2019.{{cite web|url=https://www.etonline.com/levi-johnston-welcomes-baby-no-4-see-the-pic-exclusive-128542|title=Levi Johnston Welcomes Baby No. 4 -- See the Pic! (Exclusive)|publisher=Entertainment Tonight|first=Jennifer| last=Drysdale|date= July 15, 2019}}
In popular culture
On September 28, 2010, Ben Folds and Nick Hornby released an album called Lonely Avenue, which featured a track entitled "Levi Johnston's Blues". The song provides an account of Johnston's story, based on actual posts Johnston had uploaded to his own MySpace webpage.
Alaska singer-songwriter Marian Call has said that "The Avocado Song" was inspired by Johnston.
In the HBO film Game Change (2012), Johnston is portrayed by actor Justin Gaston.
References
{{Reflist|colwidth=30em|refs=
{{cite news|title=Mike Allen's Playbook|url=http://www.politico.com/playbook/0410/playbook1029.html|date=April 25, 2010|publisher=Politico|author-link=Michael Allen (journalist)|first=Mike|last=Allen}}
{{cite web |url=http://www.theatlanticwire.com/features/view/feature/Levi-Johnston-Beats-John-Edwards-as-Least-Popular-Candidate-Ever-1985#|title=Levi Johnston Beats John Edwards as Least Popular Candidate Ever |author=Max Fisher |publisher=The Atlantic Wire |date= September 3, 2010}}
{{cite news| last = Baxter| first = Sarah| title = McCain Camp Prays for Palin Wedding — The Marriage of the Vice-Presidential Candidate's Pregnant Teenage Daughter Could Lift a Flagging Campaign| newspaper = The Sunday Times|date = September 28, 2008|access-date=December 18, 2009| url = http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/us_and_americas/us_elections/article4837644.ece | archive-url = https://archive.today/20080929203714/http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/us_and_americas/us_elections/article4837644.ece | url-status = dead | archive-date = September 29, 2008 | location=London}}
{{cite news|author=Staff writer|url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/levi-pans-bristols-new-message/|title=Levi Pans Bristol's New Message — Tells Maggie Rodriguez Abstinence-Only Isn't 'Realistic' for Teens|date=May 6, 2009|work=CBS News|access-date=December 22, 2009|author-link=Staff writer}}
{{cite news|author=Staff writer|url=http://edition.cnn.com/2009/POLITICS/04/23/lkl.levi.johnston.palin/|title=Levi Johnston — 'I Didn't Think It Was Going to Get This Rough'|date=April 23, 2009|work=CNN|access-date=December 22, 2009|author-link=Staff writer}}
{{cite web |url=http://www.usmagazine.com/moviestvmusic/news/levi-johnston-to-run-for-mayor-of-wasilla-201098|title=Levi Johnston to Run for Mayor of Wasilla |author=US Weekly Staff |work=US Magazine|access-date=October 1, 2011 |date= August 10, 2010}}
{{cite magazine |last = Fleeman| first = Mike| title = Sarah Palin's Camp Lashes Out at Levi Johnston for Sex Talk on Tyra| magazine = People| date = April 3, 2009| url =http://www.people.com/people/article/0,,20270152,00.html| archive-url =https://web.archive.org/web/20090405081437/http://www.people.com/people/article/0,,20270152,00.html| url-status =dead| archive-date =April 5, 2009|access-date=December 22, 2009}}
{{cite news |title=Kathy Griffin's Date Night With Bristol Palin's Ex Fiance |url=https://www.foxnews.com/story/kathy-griffins-date-night-with-bristol-palins-ex-fiance |publisher= Fox News |date= August 10, 2009| author =McKay, Hollie|access-date=December 22, 2009}}
{{cite news|work=The Huffington Post |first=Adam|last=Goldman |title=Levi Johnston Speaks On Baby, Obama, Sarah Palin |date=October 18, 2008 |url=http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/10/13/levi-johnston-speaks-on-b_n_134088.html |access-date=December 18, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091001142539/http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/10/13/levi-johnston-speaks-on-b_n_134088.html |archive-date=October 1, 2009}}
{{cite web|url=http://www.adn.com/palin/story/772281.html|title=Prosecutor Didn't Know Johnston Left for TV Appearances — Family: Lawyer Said Levi's Mom Needed to Be with Kids Outside|last=Holland|first=Megan|date=April 24, 2009|work=Anchorage Daily News|access-date=December 18, 2009}}
Saul, Michael; McShane, Larry (May 6, 2009). [http://www.nydailynews.com/news/politics/2009/05/05/2009-05-05_bristols_in_town_for_teen_pregnancy_chat.html "Truce: Bristol Palin, Levi Johnston Appear Determined to Jointly Raise Tripp"]. Daily News. Retrieved December 18, 2009.
{{cite news | url=https://www.nbcnews.com/id/wbna33217038| archive-url=https://archive.today/20130104045702/http://today.msnbc.msn.com/id/33217038/ns/today-entertainment/t/father-palins-grandson-pose-playgirl/| url-status=live| archive-date=January 4, 2013| title=Father of Palin's Grandson to Pose for Playgirl — Attorney Says Playgirl Shoot Next Up for Teenage Father of Sarah Palin's Grandson| date=October 7, 2009 | agency=The Associated Press|work=MSNBC.com | access-date=October 1, 2011}}
{{cite news | url=http://www.cbsnews.com/blogs/2009/10/06/politics/politicalhotsheet/entry5366392.shtml | title=Levi Johnston Stars in Ad for Pistachios | last=Condon | first=Stephanie | date=October 6, 2009 |publisher=CBS News | access-date=December 22, 2009}}
{{cite news|url=http://www.salon.com/mwt/feature/2009/04/07/levi_tyra/index.html?source=rss|title=Much Ado about Levi — Bristol Palin's Ex talked About Sex and Family on The Tyra Banks Show. It Infuriated Sarah Palin -- and Made Me Want to Watch|last=Traister|first=Rebecca|date=April 7, 2009|work=Salon.com|access-date=December 22, 2009}}
{{cite news |url=http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/world/levi-johnston-to-run-for-wasilla-mayor/story-e6frg6so-1225903917031|title=Levi Johnston to run for Wasilla mayor |newspaper=The Australian |date= August 11, 2010}}
{{cite magazine |url=http://www.usmagazine.com/moviestvmusic/news/bristol-palin-mocks-levi-johnstons-campaign-2010118|title=Bristol Palin Mocks Levi Johnston's Mayoral Run |magazine=US Magazine |date= August 11, 2010}}
Staff writer (September 2, 2009).[http://www.vanityfair.com/online/daily/2009/09/levi-johnston.html "Levi Johnston: Me and Mrs. Palin"]. Vanity Fair. Retrieved December 18, 2009.
Staff writer (December 30, 2008). [http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/entertainment/2008571822_eye30.html "Bristol Palin Gives Birth to a Boy"]. The Seattle Times. Retrieved December 18, 2009.
Belenkaya, Veronika; Moore, Tina; Hutchinson, Bill (September 3, 2008). [http://www.nydailynews.com/news/politics/republican_race/2008/09/02/2008-09-02_bristol_palins_baby_daddy_is_psyched_to_.html "Bristol Palin's Baby Daddy Is 'Psyched' to Be Father, Says His Pal"]. Daily News. Retrieved December 18, 2009.
D'Oro, Rachel (September 2, 2008). [http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/09/03/levi-johnstons-mom-on-bri_n_123458.html "Levi Johnston's Mom On Bristol Palin Pregnancy: 'This Is Just A Bonus'"]. The Associated Press (via The Huffington Post). Retrieved December 18, 2009.
Shear, Michael D.; Vick, Karl (September 2, 2008). [https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/09/01/AR2008090100710.html?nav=rss_nation "No Surprises From Palin, McCain Team Says — Daughter's Pregnancy and Trooper Controversy Were Revealed Before Pick, According to Campaign Aide"]. The Washington Post. Retrieved December 18, 2009.
[http://www.usmagazine.com/healthylifestyle/news/exclusive-bristol-palin-levi-johnston-are-engaged-2010147 "Bristol Palin, Levi Johnston are engaged!"]. Us Weekly. Retrieved July 14, 2010.
Staff writer (August 11, 2009). [http://www.nzherald.co.nz/world/news/article.cfm?c_id=2&objectid=10590085 "Sarah Palin Resigned Due to Marital Troubles, Says Levi Johnston"]. The New Zealand Herald. Retrieved December 22, 2009.
Staff writer (October 29, 2009). [http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/10/29/levi-johnston-doing-full_n_338513.html "Levi Johnston Doing Full Frontal Nudity in Playgirl"] (includes video). The Huffington Post.
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External links
- {{IMDb name|3412635}}
- Sullivan, John Jeremiah (May 2009). [https://www.gq.com/news-politics/newsmakers/200905/levi-johnston-sarah-palin-bristol "He Shall Be Levi"].GQ. Accessed July 21, 2010.
- [https://web.archive.org/web/20191201235806/http://www.nbcnews.com/id/22425001 Levi Johnston on NBC's Today Show]. (video only). July 13, 2009. Accessed December 22, 2009.
- Staff writer (August 10, 2009). [http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/08/10/levi-johnston-and-kathy-g_n_256165.html "Levi Johnston and Kathy Griffin Take Two: Flirting and Palin Talk on Larry King"] (includes video). The Huffington Post. Accessed December 18, 2009.
- Staff writer (June 17, 2009). [http://www.radaronline.com/exclusives/2009/06/video-levi-johnston-weighs-palin-vs-letterman-controversy "Levi Johnston Weighs In on Palin Vs. Letterman Controversy"] (includes video). Radar. Accessed December 18, 2009.
{{Sarah Palin}}
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Category:Male models from Alaska
Category:People associated with the 2008 United States presidential election