Denise Richards did not break up Sambora's marriage
Denise Richard has put the record straight abotu her romance with Richie Sambora, insisting that he had already filed for divorce from Heather Locklear before she fell in love with the rocker.
Richards fell for the Bon Jovi star in 2006, shortly after her own marriage to Charlie Sheen ended.
Sambora was also going through his own breakup with the former Bond-girl's on time pal, Melrose Place star Locklear and the two simultaneous splits sparked suspision among the showbiz world.
Richards has slammed claims and says she was not the one to blame.
She tells Us Weekly: "We (her and Sambora) were friends and we were both going through divorces, and that's what drew us to each other... I did not steal someone's husband. Did I date a former friend's ex-husband? Yes. Did I break up a marriage? No.
"If I was still friends with (Locklear), that never would have happened with Richie. There was no friendship anymore prior to Richie and I getting together."
Although it caused her a lot of grief, Richards doesn't regret their bond as it helped her through a difficult time in her life.
She adds: "You can't explain who you're attracted to. I believe people come into your lives for a reason, and even though I got such s**t for it, he was there for me and I was there for him during a difficult time.
"I understand why people perceived it that way in the media, but those are the honest facts. I can't change what people think. (The criticism) during that horrible time made me stronger and have a thicker skin."
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