Jesse James speaks out about that notorious photo of him wearing a Nazi hat and giving a Nazi salute. INSIDE EDITION has the latest.
Jesse James is finally speaking out about that notorious photo giving a Nazi salute that has enraged the nation. James says the photo was taken five years ago, before he married Sandra Bullock.
"I don't even remember taking the photo, I could tell by the look on my face it was a joke that was funny then, probably for a minute, but then looking at it in the context of now and in my life, it's not funny," James said.
James said being labeled a neo-Nazi was devastating. "Dealing with losing my marriage and my son and embarrassing everyone and decimating my life, but to be called a racist on top of that is, it makes me really sad," James said.
James tells Nightline's Vicki Mabry that he and Sandra were told last Christmas that they'd be able to adopt baby Louis, who joined their family New Year's Day.
"Why a black child?" Vicki asked. "I didn't care. I didn't care what color he was. My only prerequisite for adopting a baby, I wanted a baby that needs us the most," James said.
He said before his cheating finally destroyed their marriage, watching Sandra become a mother brought them closer together.
"To see her in the role of mother is, like, one of the most amazing things I've ever seen. She is like a fish to water, as soon as she put that baby into her hands it was automatic and amazing," James said.
According to Mabry, he said, "I'm not a monster. People are making me out to be a monster. I'm a human being who made mistakes."
The interview airs on Nightline Tuesday.
