12 Overdoses That Celebs Almost Didn't Live To Tell
It's hard being a regular human being sometimes. So, you know the life of a celebrity is most likely a trillion times harder. Balancing a high-profile career and a happy personal life all at once is a daunting task. Don't believe us? Just ask Nicki Minaj. The pressures of staying relevant no matter what isn't for the weak-hearted. In the merciless world of the entertainment industry, being savage is not a choice-it's a means of survival. Only the strongest survive, no exceptions. However, feeling stressed out or hopeless isn't necessarily a weak trait. It is one we can all can relate to. Sometimes, you don't have all of the answers and wish everyone will just get the hint to give you a break. It's okay, it does not mean you're selfish, it just means you're human. But, sometimes, as the outsiders look in, we forget celebs are humans who's stressful experiences are just as valid as ours. Just 'cause they look perfect on camera does not mean they don't hurt and cry like us. Over the years, the very celebrities we adore have faced heartache, sliding careers, mental disorders, and a hodgepodge of other discouraging mishaps. Even the most successful stars have experienced emotional meltdowns resulting in erratic behavior, substance abuse, and even suicide attempts. The show must go on, but even our favorite players deserve a break between scenes to pick up the pieces and regroup. Take a look at 12 celebs who have already survived an overdose. Some have overcame their hardships, while others, unfortunately, did not.
12 Lamar Odom
Lamar Odom's been battling chronic substance abuse stemming from emotional demons for years. His personal problems have affected his career and personal life in many ways. Losing his parents to heroin abuse and cancer at a young age and the death of his newborn son with ex-girlfriend, Liza Morales, were all major blows to his psyche. Omar's substance abuse issues became a bigger problem when he got arrested in 2013 for DUI. A no contest plea won the star three months of probation and a trip to rehab. But just as things looked like they were getting better, they got dangerously worse. Omar was hospitalized after authorities discovered him unconscious in a brothel- three months after Khloe filed for divorce in July 2015. The star had slipped into a coma and was placed on life support until he recovered.
11 Mel B
The nasty fallout between Mel B and her estranged hubby, Stephon Belafonte, continues to unfold. From news about hot rendezvous with the nanny, to Stephon helping himself to a private side affair with the nanny, the drama is only intensifying. Apparently, Mel and Stephon have been unhappy with each other for years. Though, it's safe to say Mel ups Stephon in the miserable spouse department. The former Spice Girl said she had overdosed on aspirin while filming the X Factor in 2014, in an attempt to free herself from the relationship. According to Mel, her attempt to seek emergency care was slighted when Stephon locked her in the bathroom and said, "Die B***h. Wow, talk about sleeping with the enemy. Well, let's hope these two can work things out for the well-being of their children at least.
10 Sheneka Adams
Shaneka Adams may look perfect on the outside, but the media personality is just an ordinary girl. In 2011, Shaneka developed painful ovarian cysts which resulted in various trips to the emergency room. She often experienced painful intercourse due to her condition. "One of them even got to the size of an orange, talk about painful, you have no idea," she recounted. "I would have to be rushed to the hospital on several occasions because it became so painful that I had to literally lay in the fetal position." Shaneka's doctor numbed the pain with hydrocodone-a depressive-and Lortabs. In time, Shaneka developed an addiction to the prescriptions. Moreover, she needed more meds to keep the cysts away. Eventually, Shaneka attempted to end her life by swallowing seven hydrocodone pills, but paramedics got to her just in time.
9 Tila Tequila
Social and reality television diva, Tila Tequila had her fair share of substance abuse. In 2012, Tila suffered a brain aneurysm, which led to a prescription of painkillers. Soon after, Tila's need to soothe chronic headaches morphed into a full-fledged addiction. Tila eventually overdosed but survived. Following her recovery, Tila made some really disturbing Facebook updates. In one update she posted an article titled, "Why I sympathize with Hitler: Part I." The update followed a series of anti-semitic comments. Tila later apologized for the comment, blaming her behavior on depression and addiction. But just last year, Tequila made another antisemitic comment on Twitter. Tila tweeted that Jewish commentator, Ben Shapiro, should be gassed and sent back to Israel. No apology was issued for the hateful Tweet. Was she trying to rekindle a buzz to make herself relevant again? Who knows.
8 Fantasia
In 2010, Fantasia Taylor née Barrino found herself in the middle of major heat when a court filing alleged she had an affair with her ex, Antwuan Cook. Now, that doesn't sound like a problem… Only thing is his estranged wife claimed he was still married to her at the time. Fantasia denied the claims saying she and Antwuan dated after he separated from his wife, Paula Cook. Paula, however, insisted that Fantasia knowingly dated her husband while they were still married. The media had a field day with the news calling Fantasia a homewrecker, and the American Idol alumni didn't take it lightly. Tired of the stress, Fantasia quickly looked for a way out by attempting to take her own life. The singer was hospitalized after overdosing on aspirin and sleeping pills. Later in 2010, a judge confirmed Fantasia dated Antwuan after he separated from his wife.
7 Britney Spears
Dear celebs: Maintain a professional relationship with your employees-they aren't your friends. Remember when Britney Spears had a meltdown like ten years ago? Yeah, we can't forget it either. Well, Sam Lufti, Brit's former manager, didn't either. And he had no problem putting the pop star's business in the news again last April. Refiled court documents, originally filed in 2015, say Brittney was forced to sleep in the parking lot due to her drug abuse. The claims were made after Sam said Britney owed him for unpaid earnings. Brit's behavior was the result of her messy divorce with Kevin Federline and losing legal custody of her two sons. Unnerved, she called Sam and told him he was one of the few people she could've trusted. Sam obliged, but their "friendship" was apparently conditional. According to Britney's former bodyguard, Tony Barretto, she nearly overdosed on cocaine and crystal meth amid the episode.
6 Alexa Ray Joel
Sleeping with a broken heart is quite painful. No pain prescription can relieve the discomfort of a breakup and most would prefer to have a broken arm instead. In December 2010, Alexa Jay Joel attempted to end her heartache for good by taking multiple pills post break up with her boyfriend Jimmy Riot. Mommy, Christie Brinkley didn't take very kindly to it and even opened up about it in an issue of Ladies Home Journal Magazine in July 2016. “Your job as a parent is to listen. And to dole out as much love as you can,” said the former supermodel. “That includes tough love. I told Alexa, 'You got yourself worked into such a tizzy. You need to examine that, you need to seek professional advice. ” The singer's also struggled with sharing the spotlight with her parents, Christie Brinkley and Billy Joel. Since then Alexa said she's matured; good for you, Alexa.
5 Oprah
Yes, even America's most prominent talk show queen almost overdosed on a substance back in the day. Though Oprah's drug of choice was a little, how should we say, unorthodox. In the premier of CNN's Piers Morgan Tonight show, Oprah opened up about the encounter. As a young teen, Oprah was sent to live with her overly strict father in Nashville. He quickly laid down the rules of his house without knowing she was pregnant. Oprah said her father told her he'd rather see his daughter floating down the river than to bring shame on the family with the indecency of an illegitimate child. "He's saying that to me, and I know that I am pregnant. So I'm thinking, well, I'm just going to have to kill myself," she said. She didn't attempt suicide, but she did drink detergent which eventually resulted in the death of her baby.
4 Lil Wayne
Lil Wayne lives life like a rock star. You can see it from the body art and the various women he beds to his hit records and drug use. Moreover, Weezy's spoken candidly about drinking lean and smoking up. With Wayne, what you see is what you get, but after he suffered several dangerous seizures, which almost claimed his life in 2013, Wayne vowed to leave the cough syrup alone. Within the last year, it seems Wayne is back to not caring. Inside sources say the rapper is back on the "purple drank." According to friends, Wayne started drinking lean again in late 2015. Sources also say Wayne hasn't fully recovered from injuries sustained from the lean-related seizures he suffered back in 2013. Hopefully, Wayne will recover from both his injuries and substance abuse soon. Life as a rapper is iconic, but being here to enjoy it is better.
3 Mindy McCready
The life and times of the multi-platinum songstress were terribly troubled, to say the least. Chronic drug use and domestic disputes with lovers plagued her life. In 2003, cops were called to her rescue after she was viciously beaten by her boyfriend, Patrick McKnight. The singer vowed she was through with Patrick but did return after various suicide attempts. In 2005, she was found unconscious in a hotel lobby and was later hospitalized for a drug overdose. Patrick and Mindy welcomed a son after uniting the following year. A series of more suicide attempts involving overdose and self-mutilation followed in tandem with rehab. Mindy eventually ended her own life with a self-inflicted gunshot to the head after fatally wounding her dog. David Wilson, the father of her youngest son, committed suicide the same way one month earlier. Mindy didn't have custody of any of her children at the time.
2 Michael Jackson
The late Michael Jackson reportedly attempted suicide in 2005 via drug overdose while facing child assault charges for the second time. News of the suicide attempt surfaced when an e-mail virus saying Michael had attempted suicide flooded computers. The whole thing was initially disregarded as mere propaganda, but they're examining the evidence a little harder considering the way he actually died. Michael had taken multiple prescription drugs over the years, and no one knew what had happened to him until he stopped breathing under his doctor's care on June 25, 2009. As a result, his three children Paris, Michael, and Prince have to grow up without the man they knew as their father. Of course, we're glad the doctor was eventually charged with manslaughter, but we all could agree it would have been better to have Michael here with us instead.
1 Paris Jackson
Losing your dad, and dealing with pesky speculators at the tender age of 11 is a pretty tough thing to endure- especially when you're Michael Jackson's daughter. After her father's devastating death in 2009, Paris Jackson said she's been a target of cyberbullying and even physical assault. In her first in-depth interview, the 19-year-old aspiring actress revealed she was assaulted at 14 and attempted to kill herself a total of five times. Paris' last attempt came after finding out her and her brother, Prince, didn't share the same biological father at 15. For years, Paris idolized her adopted father Michael. But as reality came into focus, Paris soon realized Michael is not her biological dad. Paris slipped into a depressive state and almost overdosed on prescription pills. However, she still identifies as African-American and still calls Michael daddy. And why wouldn't she? He's been there for her since birth. We're sending peace and love your way, guys, and we hope this article highlighted the importance of mental health.