Machine Gun Kelly’s wild boy past is sticking with him.
The singer known as “Emo Girl” shared that a past drug-related incident has caused problems when she’s traveled outside the country.
During an appearance on the Take Flight podcast, Machine Gun Kelly revealed he was caught with cocaine while returning from a trip to New Zealand. He explained that this led to legal issues related to drug possession.
Because of his past, 36-year-old Colson Baker (also known as Machine Gun Kelly) faced difficulties getting visas to enter Australia. He hadn’t been able to visit for eight years, believing a legal timeframe of ten years needed to pass before he could travel there without issue.
You know, as someone who travels a lot, airport security is always a hassle. I recently heard from Machine Gun Kelly – yes, Megan Fox’s partner and dad to little Saga Blade – that even with his current fame, his past run-ins with drug-related issues still mean he doesn’t qualify for expedited security lines. It just goes to show, your past can definitely follow you, no matter how much things change!
MGK admitted he still hasn’t signed up for airport programs like TSA PreCheck or Global Entry, meaning he still waits in regular security lines like everyone else.
Since the issues at the airport, the singer of “Lonely Road” has openly discussed his journey to getting sober.
He announced on the Dumb Blonde podcast in 2024 that he’s been completely sober since August of the previous year, meaning he’s stopped drinking alcohol altogether.
After our European tour last year, I quietly went to rehab for the first time. It really helped me understand the root of my anger and gave me tools to manage it. I’ve become aware of what’s going on with me and have come to terms with it, though it’s something I have to constantly work on.
He explained that becoming engaged to Megan and wanting to be a good father to his daughter, Casie (age 16, whom he shares with his former partner, Emma Cannon), motivated him to make positive changes in his life.
MGK shared that a particularly painful moment in his past relationship was when his partner would point out his substance use, saying something like, ‘I know you’re high.’ He described this as deeply disappointing and a sign of his own struggles. While he acknowledges his journey to sobriety will be challenging, he’s committed to accepting the difficulty and forgiving himself along the way.
For more stars who have been open about their own sobriety, keep reading.
Following his DUI arrest in January 2026, the two-time NBA champion began seeking help for his addiction issues.
He explained on Page Six Radio that addiction is a brain disease, similar to cancer, and that no one would willingly choose to have such an illness.
You know, as I’ve learned more about the science of addiction and how disease impacts us, it’s actually become a really powerful tool in my recovery. The more I understand why I struggle, the easier it is to stay on track and maintain my sobriety. It’s like knowledge really is power when it comes to overcoming these challenges.
The basketball star, after overcoming a life-threatening drug overdose in 2015, recently shared his desire to inspire others, celebrating over 60 days of sobriety.
He explained to USA Today in March 2026 that while he’s naturally resilient both mentally and physically, he still struggles with the desire to escape through substance use, just like anyone else. He believes his survival was meant to inspire others, offering them hope and the belief that they too can overcome their challenges.
In October 2018, the actor known for American Pie shared on Instagram that he had been sober for a year, marking the occasion with a positive and hopeful message.
He shared that he first attempted to stop drinking and using drugs more than five years ago, realizing his addiction had become overwhelming. He admitted it was a difficult process.
I’m so incredibly happy to share that after a tough journey, I’ve reached one year of sobriety. It’s honestly one of the things I’m most proud of in my life. And if you’re going through something similar, please know you’re not alone. There is help available, and there’s absolutely no shame in asking for it. We can get through this, together.
Looking back on his battle with addiction, he thought about how far he’d gone to keep it a secret.
Look, I’ve been doing a lot of self-work, going to therapy and really trying to unpack things. But honestly? It’s been a struggle. I shared on my wife Jenny’s podcast recently that even after a good therapy session, I’d sometimes find myself right back into old patterns. I’d head straight to the liquor store, buy a bottle of vodka, and drink it just to numb out. It was a way to disconnect, to escape feeling anything at all, and basically check out of my own life. It’s not something I’m proud of, but being open about it is part of the journey.
He explained that he’d carefully planned how much he’d drink, wanting to stay coherent enough to talk. He mentioned he was constantly refilling the bottles at the bar to manage his alcohol intake.
The two-time World Cup-winning soccer player has publicly discussed using Adderall inappropriately while recovering from injuries during her time playing college soccer.
She shared on the 2025 podcast Question Everything with Danielle Robay that she had become seriously addicted to Adderall and was using it in dangerous ways. She explained she was taking it constantly, often going days without sleep. It was a chaotic period where she felt she was pushing her body to the limit, and she was even crushing and snorting the pills, which she now recognizes as a very unhealthy pattern.
However, in the midst of her struggle, her college coach Anson Dorrance was there to support her.
She described a difficult time where she had to adapt significantly. Anson encouraged her to read, and she found a life-changing book called Man’s Search for Meaning. It helped her understand and cope with suffering by changing her perspective.
In October 2025, Migos member Quavo revealed he had been sober from codeine—an opioid often mixed with soda to create the drink known as sizzurp—for four years. He credited a serious conversation with his teenage son, Jordan, as the turning point that led him to get clean.
Offset shared a story on the show Baby, This Is Keke Palmer about his son repeatedly asking for pineapple Fanta, even though he rarely drinks soda. What really struck Offset was when his son noticed the color of his Fanta was different and asked why, which Offset found incredibly touching.
Offset explained that the seemingly harmless comment really bothered him, adding, “I almost cried when I went back to my room.”
The rapper explained he felt guilty as a father. He was worried his son didn’t realize he was using drugs and was especially concerned about unintentionally influencing him, even in small ways, like the son wanting the same drink.
The Academy Award-winning actor has often openly discussed December 29, 1975, the date he stopped drinking.
In an October 2025 interview on The New York Times‘ podcast The Interview, he admitted he was driving drunk in California and completely blacked out. He had no idea where he was going until he understood the danger – he could have seriously hurt or killed someone, or even himself, which he said he didn’t care about at the time. This realization led him to acknowledge he had a problem with alcohol.
I was so incredibly proud to see my friend mark 50 years of sobriety! It all started when he finally reached out for help, and it completely changed his life. In December 2025, he celebrated this amazing milestone and shared a powerful message with anyone struggling like he once did – a message of hope and recovery that really resonated with me.
He urged people to embrace life in an Instagram message, repeating the word ‘life’ multiple times for emphasis: “Choose life instead of the opposite. Life, life, life, and more life.”
The Valley star shared his decades-long battle with drugs in March 2025 after going to rehab.
Okay, so I just had to share this – Jax finally admitted it on the latest Hot Mic episode! He basically confessed he’s struggling with addiction, and it’s mostly cocaine. Honestly, hearing him say it out loud felt huge, even for me as a fan. It was really hard for him to get the words out, you could just feel it, but he did it! I’m so proud of him for being honest, even though it’s terrifying.
He explained that he’s struggled with this issue intermittently since he was 23, and now, at 45, it continues to come and go. Sometimes he’d stop, and other times he’d really focus on it.
Jax also stopped drinking, noting that while he didn’t believe he had a serious alcohol issue, it was connected to his cocaine use. He explained he couldn’t use cocaine without drinking alcohol, so he decided to quit both. He’s now been sober for over 82 days—the longest stretch in his life without using either substance, and he’s proud of that.
Tom Holland, known for his role in Spider-Man: No Way Home, quit drinking in 2022 because he felt controlled by alcohol. He admitted on the On Purpose with Jay Shetty podcast that he was addicted and believes that having a daily beer could be a sign of a problem.
The actor explained that you eventually reach a point where you regret having that extra drink. Then, you wake up with a really bad headache the next day.
After adopting a new lifestyle, Holland found he was sleeping more soundly and coping with challenges more effectively.
He explained that he was much calmer and more able to handle problems on set. He felt mentally clear, healthier, and in better physical shape.
Sean Connery, famous for his role in Hunt for Red October, rarely discusses his recovery, which started nearly four decades ago.
He shared in a May 2024 podcast that he doesn’t often talk about his sobriety, only bringing it up when relevant. He’s been sober for 39 years, since February 23, 1985.
Alec described a difficult period after his move to Los Angeles in 1983, admitting to a severe cocaine addiction. He said he was using a lot of the drug – so much that it felt like a daily struggle for two years, comparing its prevalence at the time to people drinking coffee. He joked that he felt he’d used enough to reach Saturn, and that it was commonly used by many people around him.
And after quitting the drug, he soon turned to alcohol—only to also quit that dependency.
Today, he relies on the city around him.
He said New York City always helps him unwind. He loves simply walking around and discovering new details he’s never seen before – like noticing something new about a familiar building. He also enjoys meeting up with friends for lunch or coffee.
In April 2024, Anne Hathaway, known for her role in The Princess Diaries, revealed she’s been sober for over five years. She told The New York Times that reaching this point feels like a significant achievement.
She explained her decision simply. “I realized it wasn’t a good fit for me,” she said. “It felt difficult to completely decline, to say ‘absolutely not,’ but that’s what I needed to do. It’s like an allergy – if you have a severe reaction, you don’t try to fight it. I finally stopped questioning my instincts.”
She’s glad she made the change, explaining that it’s improved her life in every way. She described it as a way to avoid getting stuck in negativity, something she actively dislikes.
While receiving the 2018 Woman of the Year Award from the Peggy Albrecht Friendly House—a program helping women recover from addiction—Moore discussed how a harmful lifestyle almost ended her career.
I believe we all have key moments that determine who we become and where our lives head. Early in my career, I was heading down a very destructive path. Despite any achievements, I constantly felt inadequate and had little self-worth. This quickly led to a crisis, and at the time, I didn’t understand why. It might have even been fate intervening.
In 2012, seeking help, Moore expressed gratitude to two strangers who essentially gave her a wake-up call. She joked that they told her she needed to get her life back on track, saying, “Unless I was dead, I better show up.” They gave her an opportunity to change direction before she ruined everything, she explained.
Moore reflected that others recognized potential in her that she hadn’t seen in herself. She expressed deep gratitude for their belief in her, saying she wouldn’t have achieved her current success without their support.
Miley Cyrus revealed in 2022 that she’s been working on overcoming her addiction to Xanax since 2020. She told Rolling Stone that recovery provided much-needed stability during a difficult time. “It helped me stay focused and hopeful,” she explained.
The singer explained that once they discovered a way to briefly escape pain and shut out their feelings, they were finished – meaning they’d reached a breaking point.
She explained that her friends at the time seemed to accept her drug use, which contributed to a downward spiral she described as a “dark, bottomless pit.” During the pandemic, Cyrus realized she was struggling and felt disconnected emotionally. She remembered often falling asleep and being unable to stay awake because of how deeply affected she was.
She eventually sought help and noted that “it took some time to get on my own two feet.”
In his 2025 documentary, Stans, Eminem opened up about his past struggles with prescription pills. He shared that an overdose and missing his daughter Hailie Jade’s birthday were turning points that led him to change his ways.
He explained that he started crying when he realized he was on the verge of repeating past mistakes. He recalled mentally pushing himself, asking if he really wanted to miss out on life again, and urging himself to persevere, even if just for the sake of his loved ones. He used harsh language to motivate himself, challenging his own weakness and emphasizing the importance of not letting opportunities slip away.
Focusing on making music again was a key part of the Oscar winner’s recovery from addiction.
He said it did something – it switched the light on. He then realized he wasn’t ashamed of being sober anymore. Instead, he started to see his sobriety as a strength, and he felt proud of overcoming his addiction.
The actor, known for their role in Parenthood, had been sober for 16 years when they had a setback in 2020. They began taking Vicodin after being injured in a motorcycle accident.
He explained on his Armchair Expert podcast that he’s been taking prescription medication consistently for about the past two months, and is also taking extra doses beyond what was originally prescribed.
He went on, saying he hated what was happening and felt he was deceiving everyone around him. He knew he needed to stop, but his tolerance was increasing so fast that he was now using eight pills a day. He was terrified because he knew stopping would lead to severe withdrawal symptoms, and he felt incredibly isolated, burdened by a huge secret.
In 2018, the star of Halloween openly discussed her decade-long struggle with opioid addiction, which started in the late 1980s after a small cosmetic procedure to address puffy eyes. The resulting prescription dramatically altered her life. She told People magazine, “I spent ten years stealing and deceiving people. Absolutely no one knew.”
In the summer of 1998, when her sister came to visit, Curtis reached her lowest point. Her sister had brought prescription painkillers for a broken rib, and Curtis admitted to taking them all. She confessed to the publication, tears welling up, that she knew her sister would discover the missing pills before leaving. Curtis wrote her a note admitting what she’d done, leaving it on the suitcase. When her sister returned, she embraced Curtis, telling her she loved her and was worried about her self-destructive behavior, and didn’t want to see her destroy herself.
Jamie Lee Curtis went to her first support group meeting on February 3, 1999, and that same day, she told her husband, filmmaker Christopher Guest, about her struggles with substance use. She explained that he was surprised he hadn’t realized she was going through this, and she has been sober ever since.
Drew Barrymore, who has previously sought treatment for substance use, revealed in 2021 that she had reached a significant point in her recovery. In an interview on CBS Mornings, she shared that she’d been sober for two and a half years, realizing that alcohol simply wasn’t beneficial to her life.
She explained that sharing who you truly are – your passions and accomplishments – is both incredibly freeing and deeply personal.
Drew Barrymore later told the Los Angeles Times she avoids calling herself “sober” because she doesn’t want to be seen as overly strict or judgmental.
She explained that she used to tell herself, ‘I can learn this, I can solve this.’ But eventually, she came to a different conclusion: ‘I’m not going to master this, and that’s okay.’
Bradley Cooper battled a cocaine addiction in the early 2000s. His friend, Will Arnett, helped him by directly addressing the issue and confronting him about his struggles.
Cooper shared on the Smartless podcast in 2022 that it was the first time he truly recognized his issues with drugs and alcohol, a moment he said he’ll never forget.
Cooper explained that Arnett’s honest and difficult conversation was the turning point that led him to get sober and change his life.
The actor, known for his role in Fight Club, battled alcohol addiction for years until Bradley Cooper helped him achieve sobriety. Accepting an award from Cooper at the 2020 National Board of Review Annual Awards, he shared, “I got sober because of this guy, and I’ve been happier every day since.”
In September 2023, the former Cruel Intentions star revealed on Instagram that they had gone longer without using nicotine or marijuana – or any substances, really – than they had since their teenage years.
He expressed gratitude for overcoming addiction and dependence, saying that achieving sobriety brings a sense of clarity and a deeper spiritual connection, which feels incredibly positive.
In 2018, the singer first celebrated six years of being sober while on tour. However, she surprised her fans later that year with the release of her honest single, “Sober,” in which she admitted she had struggled with relapse.
She sang, filled with regret: “Mom, I’m truly sorry I’ve lost my sobriety. Dad, please forgive me for the mess I’ve made. To those who have always stood by me, I know we’ve faced these struggles before, and I’m so sorry I’m slipping again.”
A month later, Lovato was hospitalized for a near-fatal overdose.
Okay, so she finally posted about everything, and honestly, it broke my heart but also made me so proud of her. She said she’s always been open about her struggles, and she explained it’s not like something you just get over. It’s a constant battle, and she’s still fighting it. She needs time to focus on getting better, on her sobriety, and just… healing. She said the support everyone’s shown means the world to her, and she can’t wait to reach a point where she feels like she’s truly won. But she will keep fighting, and knowing her, she absolutely will. It’s just… everything. I’m just so incredibly proud of her for being so honest.
Oh my gosh, she talked about it! Back in 2018, she opened up about her struggles, and it was so brave. She said her addictions kind of… shift. Like, she used to really struggle with sex – she even admitted she thought it could fix everything, which is just… wow. And then, later, she realized she was drinking way too much, and it was becoming a real problem. I was just so moved that she shared all of that, it felt so raw and honest.
She recalled a moment when she realized she might have a drinking problem. She was home alone and had already finished two bottles of wine, and was about to open a third. It was then she stopped and thought, ‘This isn’t right. Drinking this much alone could be a sign of a real issue.’
I stopped completely, and that’s something I’m capable of doing. I tend to get really fixated on things, so I always need to be mindful of my habits. It’s not necessarily what you do, but how and why you do it. It’s the underlying motivation and behavior that matter. For example, wanting to have a lot of sex is fine, but you need to examine why you want that.
Backstreet Boys member AJ McLean revealed he first experimented with drugs before shooting the music video for their 2000 hit, “The Call.” He later told Good Morning America that he was extremely out of control during the video shoot. After a setback, he achieved sobriety in 2021. Just a year later, he experienced significant improvements in his health, including losing 32 pounds over seven months by eliminating alcohol and junk food.
He told People magazine in July 2025 that he’s committed to staying on his current path. He described it as a daily effort, but shared that following advice from the recovery community has dramatically improved his life.
While AJ acknowledged he is “still learning, still growing,” he’s now confident in who he is.
I’ve been learning to set healthy boundaries, something I never did before, and it’s really helped me. I also understand now that ‘AJ’ is just a public persona, not the whole me. My real name is Alexander James, and that’s who I truly am.
Following the unexpected death of Mac Miller, rapper Bow Wow—born Shad Moss—shared on Twitter that he had previously battled an addiction to cough syrup, often referred to as “lean.” He explained that during the creation of his album Face Off with Omarion, he was using lean daily. He admitted to being high on the substance during a memorable on-stage confrontation with Torae on BET, and that it negatively impacted his attitude, his relationship with fans, and his family. He emphasized that he never glorified drug use in his music. Bow Wow revealed that throughout the UCP tour with Chris Brown, he was consuming codeine syrup at least seven times a day and didn’t stop until a health scare during a show in Cincinnati, where he collapsed backstage and was hospitalized due to withdrawal symptoms. He described the pain as unlike anything he’d ever experienced, recalling needing multiple hoodies even in summer because of the chills. He missed shows in Chicago and Baltimore due to being high and sick, and regretted using drugs to fit in. Bow Wow urged young people to avoid drugs, be good to their families, and strive to be their best selves. He stated that he plans to be more open about his past struggles to help save young people from early deaths, and encouraged parents to talk to their children about the dangers of drugs. He shared that his stomach has never fully recovered from the addiction and reiterated that staying drug-free is the best path. He concluded by expressing his love for his fans and urging young artists to break the cycle of drug use, emphasizing the importance of preserving young lives.
In 2018, the singer opened up about her struggles with addiction, coinciding with the release of her album No Shame and her memoir My Thoughts Exactly. She revealed she had been heavily using cocaine and drinking excessively. Things came to a head when, after accidentally hitting Orlando Bloom in the head at Kate Hudson’s Halloween party and knocking herself unconscious, Gwyneth Paltrow and Chris Martin organized an intervention to help her.
In an interview with The Guardian, she revealed a period of deep unhappiness, explaining, “I felt completely unfulfilled and nothing could make me feel better. I even remember thinking one morning that maybe heroin would help, because everything else had failed.”
I’ve always been a huge fan of Lindsay Lohan, and it was really heartbreaking to learn about her struggles. She openly shared that she battled cocaine addiction throughout the 1980s, which eventually led her to rehab in 1990. What struck me most was when she talked about growing up in the 60s and 70s – she explained that attitudes towards drugs were just completely different back then, and that really helped me understand how things spiraled for her.
He confessed that during the 1980s, he was using cocaine almost every day, to the point where it impacted his finances – he said it cost as much as some movie budgets. He described desperately pleading with God to help him stop, often right before work, only to find himself using again by the afternoon, rationalizing that things weren’t so bad.
He described a powerful experience, what he called seeing a ‘white light,’ where he felt like he was either dying or losing everything important in his life. He then had to explain this to his then-fiancée, Meg Ryan, and afterwards, he decided to get help. This, he said, marked the end of his struggle with cocaine.
Following an incident at a Newport Beach hotel where he attempted to break down his own door, Olympic swimmer Ryan Lochte entered treatment for alcohol addiction in 2018. According to a statement from his representative to TopMob News, Lochte had been struggling with alcohol abuse for years, leading to a harmful cycle. He recognized the need for professional help and began treatment immediately.
According to a statement, Ryan understands that overcoming this illness is crucial – it will help him make good choices, be a devoted husband and father, and pursue his dream of competing in his fifth Olympic Games in Tokyo in 2020.
Despite knowing you shouldn’t get sober for another person, actor Jason Ritter credits his relationship with Melanie Lynskey as a key factor in his decision to stop drinking.
He realized how wonderful she was and believed she deserved someone truly special. Appearing on The Drew Barrymore Show in March 2023, he admitted he didn’t feel up to the task, saying he was ‘a little bit too crazy’ for her.
However, as Ritter noted to TopMob News, he now sees that sobriety is ultimately a personal choice.
He remembers that early in their relationship, it felt simpler to justify his actions by saying he was doing them for her. He admits he didn’t value his own well-being much at the time and was more concerned with avoiding her pain. Initially, framing his efforts as being ‘for her’ was easier, but now he’s motivated by his own needs and desires.
The country singer has been sober for almost ten years, but achieving that wasn’t easy. His struggle with alcohol and painkillers started shortly after high school and continued even as his music career took off. He confessed to People magazine that he always kept a black leather laptop bag nearby, filled with bottles of Jagermeister or vodka, and would drink “every hour and a half to two hours.” He also admitted to taking pills “every three or four hours.”
Honestly, even knowing what he was going through, it didn’t slow him down at all. He actually said it himself – he wasn’t a mess! He was still writing, and not just anything, but more songs than he writes now. That’s what really freaks me out, you know? The fact that he was creating all this amazing stuff while battling… whatever it was. It’s just incredible, and a little terrifying if I’m being honest.
In late 2011, he ended up in the hospital with pancreatitis and received a stark warning: unless he stopped drinking, his life was in danger. He admitted he initially tried to cut back on his own, setting small goals like limiting himself to a certain number of pills or amount of alcohol each day. “It would work for a couple of days,” he remembered, “but then someone would have a party and it all fell apart.”
Gilbert ultimately realized he needed help and checked into rehab on December 18, 2011. He explained, “I finally admitted I couldn’t overcome this on my own.” He was frustrated and ashamed, saying that despite being a strong-willed person, he couldn’t seem to break the cycle.
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2026-04-24 04:50