We’ve all heard about the recent death of the hugely talented but equally troubled jazz singer, Amy Winehouse. Sadly her passing does not come as a surprise as she had been famously struggling with drugs and alcohol for most of her short career. Although Amy’s substances abuse and subsequent death is very saddening, it is unfortunately quite common for those in the public eye to exhibit these self-destructive behaviours. In fact it has become quite an apparent trend, with celebrity breakdowns and downfalls an all too familiar sight in the media.
But why is it that those in the spotlight who seem to be given everything they could ever want, so often go flying spectacularly of the rails? Why is it that icons like Marilyn Monroe, Elvis Presley, Jimmy Hendricks and so many others have succumbed to these self-destructive behaviours even though they had achieved the pinnacle of wealth and success?
It can be hard to believe that celebrities with their bulging bank accounts, lives of luxury and constant public adoration, so often destroy themselves through drugs, alcohol and suicide. However fame isn’t all it is worked up too be; in fact as Brad Pitt once said, “Fame is a bitch, man”.
The majority of celebrities say that the lack of privacy is the hardest part of being in the limelight. Celebrity’s get hardly any time to themselves. They can't go out to the movies or go shopping or even walk down the street without numerous paparazzi shoving cameras in their faces. Plus they have to be perfectly dressed and maintained every time they go out because someone somewhere will eventually snap their picture and it will be on the front cover of a magazine with huge letters calling them a slob, a bum and a slew of other hateful words. This lack of privacy and relentless attention has driven countless celebrities over the edge and onto harmful and destructive paths.
Fame also brings with it huge amounts of mental pressure and stress that can affect a star profoundly. The...