Sex, Drugs, and Rock and Roll. This age old adage has never proven to be more true than in recent years, with the influx of musicians and other entertainment industry members, ending their lives way too early, all because of drugs and alcohol. Hypable columnist Lyle Brandon debuts his new weekly column, ‘The Lyle Files,’ starting with his take on drugs and the celebrities they tempt.
When I first heard the news of Whitney Houston’s passing, a few thoughts filled my mind. First of all, I was sad. Obviously, Whitney was an icon, a true legend of the music industry. To see her pass well before her time can only be described as a travesty.
But then I started thinking, and couldn’t help but notice a growing trend. In the past few years, extremely prominent fixtures in the music and entertainment industry have been dying way too young, all due to the abuse of drugs and alcohol. In music alone, there was Michael Jackson, then Amy Winehouse, and of course, most recently, Whitney Houston. Why is it that so many people with so much talent are drawn towards this dangerous lifestyle? What is it that causes them to need said pharmaceutical enhancement?
Of course there are probably plenty more involved in the use of drugs, but thanks to publicists and agents who are good at their jobs, these issues stay under wraps. All it takes is one story to leak to the press and a career can be over. Look at Lindsay Lohan. Notorious for her partying ways, Lohan previously had one of the most promising careers a young actress could have. However, after becoming immersed in the “Hollywood Lifestyle,” she took an extremely public, well documented, nose-dive into the pool of debauchery and drug use, and hasn’t worked in years. It’s just now, after years of court dates and jail stints, that she finally has been hired again. It may be for a Lifetime Channel Original Movie, but at least it’s a step in the right direction for Lindsay. Hopefully, it reminds her of why she started acting in the first place.
Again though, why is it that these celebrities find comfort in drugs? I read recently that celebrities and people in the public eye are much more prone to be extremely narcissistic and self absorbed. If this is true, it makes sense that they would be tempted easier into overusing drugs and alcohol. Think about it. A celebrity is rarely told no. Their entire team, consisting of managers, agents, publicists, assistants, and other such roles, all share one common goal: Keep the star happy. Nobody wants to tell them no in fear of biting the hand that feeds them. While it is true that nobody working for a star with a drug problem is going to want to stand up to them, is it morally correct? The answer is no. These Hollywood leeches don’t truly care about the star, they strictly care about their talent. As long as they show up on time and know their lines, what do their agents and managers care what they’re doing when they’re not on set or in the studio?
In my opinion, many of these actors and musicians are truly unhappy. I know, I know, what do they have to be unhappy about? They’re millionaires, making money doing what they love to do and usually are breathtakingly attractive. Sounds rough? While on paper it may seem picture perfect, I would be willing to bet many of these stars live extremely lonely lives. Besides family members, the only people around them are people that are paid to be around them. Even if their best friend from childhood comes with them on tour, or becomes their manager, most of the time they’re still going to be getting paid because lets face it: how can someone just drop their life and career to run away on a tour bus? Can you imagine every person around you, only wanting to be there because they’re being paid to do so? Or worse, only being there in hopes of furthering their own career, or possibly using your fame to establish their own celebrity.
It’s no wonder these musicians and entertainment folk are so upset. Obviously there is no way to truly know the exact reason for each star who overdoses on a bottle of Oxy, or chugs a bottle of whisky after downing 10 Xanax, but there does seem to be a common denominator. Most of the time these stars were at one time the biggest fish in their pond. Whitney was one of the biggest female vocalist of the 80’s and 90’s. Amy reinvigorated an entire genre of music for the new millennium. Michael Jackson was, well, Michael Jackson. And look at Lindsay. Lindsay was the biggest child star this side of the Olsen twins. But, as the saying goes, what goes up must come down. Fame is fleeting, and I think many of these drug-riddled celebrities have discovered that the hard way. Instead of being strong, and fighting to get back on top, I think many of them just decided it was easier to retreat, and live on the millions they made when they were wearing the crown. However, after they pick up a nasty little (or big) habit, 5 years down the road, they’re all tapped out without 2 quarters to rub together.
Where does it end? How many of our beloved musicians, actors, even role models, have to overdose before something is done? I suppose that’s the problem though: What exactly can be done? It’s not like the government can make all pharmaceuticals illegal, because there are plenty of people who actually need these drugs. In reality, it all comes down to the person abusing the drugs, realizing that there is a problem before its too late. They need to want to be healthy, and genuinely want to be clean, because without that passion to live, they truly have nothing.