Denise tries to clear her name

Denise Richards is doing her best to fight the backlash she’s been facing since it was revealed that she is dating her former best-friend, Heather Locklear’s ex, Richie Sambora. Richards did an interview with TMZ in an attempt to clear her name, while several of her friends spoke with Us Weekly. The public sentiment is that Richards betrayed Locklear by going after Sambora. Denise is trying to lose the traitor image.

The actress told TMZ, "Heather knows why and when her marriage ended with Richie and she knows why my marriage ended with Charlie [Sheen]. [Heather’s response] is a betrayal because a lot of it isn't true and [she and boyfriend, David Spade] know that and that's what's hard.�?

A friend of Denise backed her up to Us Weekly: "Heather wants to create a bunch of lies. It's ridiculous." Another acquaintance of both women said, "For Heather to make Denise out to be a homewrecker is just vile. Especially knowing all the hell that Denise has been through with Charlie."

Richards continued, "I wish Heather well and happiness and it's really unfortunate that it's gotten to this point and Heather knows why we aren't friends. I don't want to get into all of that, but I wish her well and she knows that there was nothing that happened during either marriage and unfortunately our friendship had to dissolve."

Us Weekly claims that Heather and Denise grew apart because of Heather’s wild lifestyle. "Heather wants to go out and Denise wants to stay in with her kids, and that was the start of the friction," a source told the magazine.