Karamo Brown is sharing his truth.
After choosing not to participate in interviews with his Queer Eye co-stars – including Antoni Porowski, Tan France, Jonathan Van Ness, and Jeremiah Brent – for the show’s last seasons, following claims of mental and emotional distress during filming, the 45-year-old has now shared how the show also affected his physical health.
I was really shocked to learn that Brown actually struggled with relapse while we were filming the third season. He shared in an interview with People that after twelve years of being sober, just having one drink would unfortunately lead him back to using weed, cocaine, and pills. It was incredibly brave of him to be so open about it.
“I wasn’t coping right, but I pretended like I was,” he explained. “I was so broken.”
Brown recently shared that he’s staying sober by participating in a 12-step program and consistently going to meetings.
“I’ve not had a single drink, cocktail,” he confirmed. “Nothing.”
The TV star explained that it was difficult to appear happy on camera when he was privately dealing with challenges.
He admitted he’d been struggling with depression. He felt embarrassed because he spent his time encouraging others to improve their lives, yet he couldn’t seem to help himself.
Brown reported facing difficulties on set, not just with the work itself, but also with his colleagues. According to People magazine, he experienced bullying and other negative actions from members of the production team that weren’t addressed.
People tended to dismiss the behavior as just a personality quirk instead of recognizing it was unacceptable in a workplace, and it consistently had a negative effect on me, Brown explained.
The companies behind Queer Eye, ITV America and Scout Productions, said they firmly disagree with Brown’s description of the show’s environment. They stated that any concerns raised with the production team were taken seriously and handled properly, including offering training and support to the cast.
After suppressing his feelings about his relationships with his co-stars for years, Brown said he finally reached his limit when he overheard them making hurtful comments about him – comments his mother also happened to hear.
He shared that seeing his mother cry was what struck him most. She kept saying, ‘I thought those people were your friends,’ and that’s when he understood he could no longer ignore how frequently he’d felt excluded.
Brown confessed that he sometimes behaved poorly on set, explaining that when he was feeling hurt, he would often react angrily.
He continued, saying that everyone involved deserves understanding for how they acted, both individually and towards each other. He acknowledged they were simply trying their best, even if it didn’t feel that way at the time, but he sees that clearly now.
And these days, Brown said his experiences on Queer Eye allowed him to evolve into his “best self.”
“I want to spend,” he said, “these next chapters of my life doing good.”
For more stars who have been candid about their sobriety journeys, read on.
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.
Lamar explained that the more he learns about disease, the easier it becomes for him to maintain his sobriety.
The basketball star, who almost died from a drug overdose in 2015, has spoken about wanting to be a positive role model after reaching 60 days of sobriety.
He explained to USA Today in March 2026 that while he’s naturally strong mentally and physically, he’s just as vulnerable to wanting to escape through substance use as anyone else. He believes his survival was meant to inspire others to overcome their own struggles and find hope, and that’s likely why he was spared.
In October 2018, the actor known for American Pie shared on Instagram that he had been sober for a year, marking the milestone with a positive and uplifting message.
He shared that he first attempted to stop drinking and using drugs more than five years ago, when his addiction became overwhelming. He admitted it was a difficult process.
He shared that he’s been sober for a year, something he’s incredibly proud of after a difficult journey. He encouraged anyone struggling with addiction to seek help, emphasizing that there’s no shame in asking and that recovery is possible.
Looking back on his battle with addiction, he thought about how far he’d gone to keep it a secret.
He recently shared on his wife Jenny Mollen’s podcast, All the Fails, that despite being in therapy, he sometimes relapses into old patterns. He described leaving a positive therapy session and immediately going to buy vodka, drinking it to escape his feelings and disconnect from the present moment. He admitted to using alcohol to numb himself and avoid emotional connection.
He explained that he’d carefully planned how much he’d drink, wanting to stay coherent enough to talk to me. He mentioned he was constantly swapping out the alcohol bottles at the bar.
The two-time World Cup-winning soccer player has publicly discussed using Adderall 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 improperly. She explained she was taking it constantly, often going for days without sleep. It was a chaotic time, and she worried she was damaging her health, even fearing a heart attack. She admitted to crushing and snorting the pills, acknowledging it was 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. The book dealt with the topic of suffering and how to view it differently, and it profoundly impacted her perspective.
As a lifestyle expert, I’ve always admired personal growth, and Quavo’s story is incredibly inspiring. He recently shared that he’s been sober from codeine – a strong painkiller often mixed with soda to make ‘sizzurp’ – for four years now. What really sparked this change? A powerful conversation with his son, Jordan, served as a real wake-up call, and motivated him to make a healthier choice.
Offset shared a touching 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 got to Offset was when his son noticed his own drink looked different and asked why, which he found incredibly emotional.
Honestly, it really got to me when someone said something that just… hit home. Offset explained it perfectly – he went back to his room and was almost in tears. It was a small thing, but it genuinely affected him, and seeing that vulnerability really resonated with me.
The rapper explained he felt guilty as a father. He was worried his son hadn’t realized there were drugs present, and even something as simple as his son wanting the same soda as him made him anxious, fearing he was a bad influence.
The two-time Oscar winner has often openly discussed the day he stopped drinking, which was December 29, 1975.
In an October 2025 interview on The New York Times’ podcast, The Interview, he admitted to driving drunk in California while essentially unconscious. He described having no idea where he was going and only later realizing the danger he posed to himself and others. This moment, he said, was when he understood he had a problem with alcohol.
With support from a friend, he started a journey of recovery. In December 2025, he celebrated 50 years of sobriety and shared a message of hope for others who are struggling with addiction, just as he once did.
He encouraged choosing life in an Instagram message, repeating the word ‘life’ several times to emphasize its importance: “Life, life, life, and more life.”
The Valley star shared his decades-long battle with drugs in March 2025 after going to rehab.
Jax revealed in a recent episode of Bravo’s Hot Mic podcast that he’s struggling with addiction, specifically with cocaine. He admitted it was difficult to share this information publicly.
He explained that he’s been struggling with this issue intermittently since he was 23, and now, at 45, it continues to come and go. He’d sometimes manage to stop, but other times he’d really indulge in 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 proud to have been sober for 82 or 83 days, which is the longest he’s ever stayed away from both substances.
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, saying, “I was definitely addicted to alcohol, not shying away from that at all.” He believes that even having one drink a day could indicate a problem.
The actor explained that you eventually realize you made a mistake, like after having one too many beers. Then, you wake up with a really bad headache.
After adopting a healthier lifestyle, Holland found that he slept more soundly and was better equipped to deal with challenges.
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, known for his role in Hunt for Red October, rarely discusses his recovery, which started nearly four decades ago.
He revealed in a May 2024 podcast interview that he doesn’t often talk about his sobriety, only bringing it up when relevant. He shared that he’s been sober for 39 years, since February 23, 1985.
Alec described his early years in Los Angeles after leaving New York in 1983 as a period of intense struggle with cocaine addiction. He admitted to using a large amount of the drug daily, saying it was so prevalent at the time that it felt as common as drinking coffee. He joked that he used so much, it felt like a line stretched all the way to Saturn.
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 finds New York City incredibly relaxing. He loves walking around and constantly discovering new details he’s never noticed before – like interesting features on buildings he’s passed countless times. He also enjoys spending time with friends over lunch or coffee.
As someone who’s always been interested in personal wellness, I was really inspired to hear that Anne Hathaway celebrated over five years of sobriety this April! She recently shared with the New York Times that reaching this point feels like a huge accomplishment, and I couldn’t agree more. It’s amazing to see her openness and celebrate this incredible milestone with her.
She explained her decision simply. “I realized it wasn’t the right path for me,” she said. “It felt difficult to completely refuse, to say ‘absolutely not.’ But when you have a serious allergic reaction, you don’t question it – you just stop. That’s what I did; I stopped trying to justify it.”
She’s glad she made the change. “Everything has improved for me personally,” she explained. “It used to make me dwell on negative feelings, and I really don’t like doing that.”
When accepting the 2018 Woman of the Year Award from the Peggy Albrecht Friendly House—a program helping women recover from addiction—Moore discussed how a period of self-destructive behavior almost ended her career.
I think we all have key moments that change us and determine where our lives go. Early in my career, I was heading down a really destructive path. Even when I achieved success, I never felt satisfied or worthy. I had very little self-worth, and that negativity quickly led to a crisis. At the time, I didn’t understand why, but it felt like something – maybe fate – intervened.
Moore, who received treatment in 2012, expressed gratitude to two people she hadn’t known well who essentially challenged her to change her life. She jokingly said they told her, “You either get help, or…”, implying the alternative was dire. She explained they gave her an opportunity to get back on track before she ruined everything.
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 be where she was today without it.
Miley Cyrus revealed in 2022 that she’s been sober from Xanax since 2020. She told Rolling Stone that recovery provided much-needed structure and hope during a difficult time, helping her avoid getting lost in her own thoughts.
The singer explained that once they discovered a way to temporarily block out feelings and escape the pain, they were finished with whatever was causing it.
Looking back, I realize my friends weren’t helping when they sort of went along with my choices – it created a really dangerous cycle, a hole that just kept getting deeper. Honestly, it took the pandemic for me to truly see how much things had spiraled. I was constantly exhausted, completely checked out, and struggling to even stay awake. I was just so lost in it all that I couldn’t function, unable to keep my head up or my eyes open.
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 life.
Honestly, hearing him talk about it really got to me. He described breaking down because he realized what he’d been missing out on. It was like a turning point, a harsh self-talk moment where he kept asking himself if he really wanted to repeat past mistakes and lose everything again. He pushed himself, telling himself that even if he couldn’t do it for his own sake, he had to do it for the people who mattered to him. It was incredibly raw and vulnerable to witness.
Focusing on making music again played a key role in the Oscar winner’s recovery from addiction.
He described how it activated a light. More importantly, he said he’d stopped feeling ashamed of being sober. He’d begun to see his sobriety as a strength, and he was proud of overcoming his addiction.
The actor, known from the show Parenthood, had been sober for 16 years when they experienced a relapse in 2020. This happened after a motorcycle accident and led them to take Vicodin.
He explained on his Armchair Expert podcast that he’s been taking prescription medications consistently for about the last two months. He also mentioned he’s taking more than the prescribed dosage.
He went on to say he was miserable and felt he had to keep lying to people. He knew he needed to stop, but his tolerance was increasing rapidly – he was now taking eight pills a day. He was terrified because he knew stopping would cause 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. It began in the late 1980s after a small cosmetic procedure to address puffy eyes, which led to a life-altering prescription. She told People magazine that she spent ten years stealing and deceiving others, all in secret. “No one knew,” she said, “No one.”
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. Remembering the experience brought her to tears. She knew her sister would discover the missing pills before leaving, so she confessed in a note left on the suitcase. When her sister returned, she embraced Curtis, expressing her love and concern, and stating she couldn’t bear to watch Curtis destroy herself.
Jamie Lee Curtis went to her first support group meeting on February 3, 1999, and on 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 remained sober ever since.
Drew Barrymore, who has previously sought treatment for substance abuse, revealed in 2021 that she had reached a significant point in her recovery. Speaking on CBS Mornings, she shared that she’d been sober for two and a half years, explaining that alcohol simply wasn’t beneficial to her life.
She explained that sharing who you truly are and the things you’ve achieved feels 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 in 2023, she had a breakthrough. For a long time, she’d been telling herself she would eventually understand and succeed. But she finally accepted that she wouldn’t, and that was 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 in a 2022 podcast interview that it was the first time he truly recognized his issues with drugs and alcohol, a moment he says he’ll never forget.
Cooper explained that Arnett was instrumental in his decision to get sober, saying, “Arnett was willing to have a difficult but necessary conversation with me, which ultimately led me to change my life.”
The actor, known for his role in Fight Club, battled alcohol addiction for years until Bradley Cooper helped him get sober. Accepting an award from Cooper at the 2020 National Board of Review Annual Awards, he shared, “I owe my sobriety to this man, and I’ve been happier every day since.”
In September 2023, the former Cruel Intentions star revealed on Instagram that they had been without nicotine or marijuana—and other substances—for the longest period since their teenage years.
He shared his gratitude for overcoming addiction and finding freedom from substance dependency. He described the experience of sobriety as bringing clarity and a strong sense of spiritual connection, saying it feels truly good.
In 2018, the singer celebrated six years of sobriety while on tour, but later surprised fans by releasing the deeply personal song “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 the mess I’ve made. And to those who have always stood by me, I know we’ve faced this before, but I’m so sorry I’m struggling again.”
A month later, Lovato was hospitalized for a near-fatal overdose.
She shared on Instagram a couple of weeks ago that she’s always been open about her struggles with addiction. She explained that it’s an ongoing battle, not something that simply goes away. She needs time to heal, focus on staying sober, and continue her recovery journey. She’s incredibly grateful for all the support she’s received and hopes to reach a point where she can confidently say she’s overcome this challenge, and she promises to keep working towards that goal.
In 2018, she spoke about her past struggles with sex and alcohol. She explained that her addictions tended to shift over time, and when she was younger, she believed sex could solve any problem. She also described realizing she had developed a serious issue with drinking.
She recalled a low point when she was home alone and had already finished two bottles of wine, about to open a third. That’s when she realized she might have a drinking problem.
I just stopped completely. That’s something I’m able to do – I tend to get really into things, and I always have to be mindful of that. It’s not necessarily what you do, but how and why you do it. It’s about the motivations behind your actions. For example, wanting to have a lot of sex is fine, but you need to understand why you want that.
Backstreet Boys member AJ McLean revealed he first experimented with drugs right before filming 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 and experienced significant improvements in his health within a year, including losing 32 pounds over seven months by giving up alcohol and fast 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.
You know, I’ve been doing a lot of self-work lately, and it’s been incredibly freeing. For years, I honestly didn’t understand the importance of setting boundaries – I just didn’t have them! But now I do, and it’s a real game-changer. I’ve also been thinking about how we present ourselves to the world. I have a public persona, ‘AJ,’ and while that’s a part of my life, it doesn’t define who I am. At the end of the day, I’m Alexander James, and that’s the core of it.
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 called “lean.” He explained that while working on the ‘FACE OFF’ album with Omarion, he was using lean daily. He admitted to being high on the substance during a memorable on-stage incident with Torae on BET, noting it significantly affected his behavior and strained relationships with fans and family. Despite never mentioning lean in his music, he was heavily addicted, consuming it at least seven times a day during his UCP tour with Chris Brown. He experienced severe withdrawal symptoms that led to him collapsing backstage in Cincinnati and being hospitalized.
Bow Wow described the withdrawal pain as unlike anything he’d ever felt, leaving him constantly cold even in summer. He missed shows in Chicago and Baltimore due to being high and sick, admitting he was using the drug to fit in. He urged his fans to avoid drugs, encouraging them to be good sons and daughters and strive to be their best selves. He vowed to speak out more about the dangers of drug use, especially for young people, and asked parents to talk to their children about the risks.
He shared that he still suffers from stomach problems due to his past addiction and emphasized the importance of staying drug-free. He concluded by expressing his love for his fans and urging young artists to break the cycle of drug use, stating, “We can’t lose any more of you.”
In 2018, the singer opened up about her struggles with addiction alongside the release of her album No Shame and her memoir My Thoughts Exactly. She revealed she had been using cocaine and drinking heavily, describing herself as constantly intoxicated. Things came to a head when, after accidentally hitting Orlando Bloom with her head at Kate Hudson’s Halloween party and losing consciousness, Gwyneth Paltrow and Chris Martin organized an intervention for her.
I was absolutely floored when I read her interview with The Guardian. She described feeling completely empty, like nothing could fill the void. It was heartbreaking, but so raw and honest. She actually said she woke up one morning, during a really tough time, and seriously considered trying heroin because nothing else was helping her cope. It just shows how incredibly lost she was, and honestly, it makes me admire her even more that she’s been so open about it.
As someone who’s followed celebrity wellness for years, I’ve always been struck by how much the times impact our struggles. The actor from Parent Trap openly shared his battle with cocaine, which led him to seek help in 1990. He explained that growing up in the ’60s and ’70s, there was a very different understanding – and acceptance, frankly – of drug use than there is today. It really highlights how societal norms can play a role in personal challenges.
He confessed that in the 1980s, he was using cocaine almost every day, to the point where it was impacting his finances. He described desperate nights pleading with God to help him stop, promising to quit if only he could get through the next hour before work. But then, by 4 PM, he’d convince himself it wasn’t a serious problem.
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 began treatment for alcohol addiction in 2018. A representative for Lochte told TopMob News that he’d been struggling with addiction for years, and it had become a harmful cycle. Lochte recognized the need for professional help and is now receiving treatment.
According to a statement, Ryan understands that overcoming this illness is crucial – it will allow him to make good choices, be a devoted husband and father, and pursue his dream of competing in his fifth Olympic Games in Tokyo in 2020 and regaining his competitive edge.
Despite knowing you shouldn’t get sober for another person, actor Jason Ritter credits his relationship with Melanie Lynskey as a significant 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 remembered that in the beginning of their relationship, it was simpler to tell himself he was making sacrifices for her because he didn’t feel good about himself at the time. He was more concerned with protecting her feelings than his own. So, he initially justified his actions by saying he was doing it all for her, but now he’s finally doing things for his own well-being.
I’ve been a huge fan of this artist for years, and I was really moved by his story of getting sober. It wasn’t easy, not at all. He’s been sober for almost ten years now, but he’s talked about how his struggle with alcohol and painkillers started right after high school. Even as his career took off, it just got worse. He actually used to carry a black leather laptop bag everywhere, and it wasn’t filled with a computer! He told People magazine it was always stocked with Jagermeister or vodka, and he’d drink from it every hour and a half to two hours. On top of that, he said he needed a couple of pills every three or four hours just to get through the day. It’s amazing to see how far he’s come.
Despite everything, it didn’t hinder his achievements. “I wasn’t falling apart,” he explained. “Actually, I was more productive then than I am today – and that’s what really worried me.”
In late 2011, he ended up in the hospital with pancreatitis and received a stark warning: unless he stopped drinking, he might not live to see his next birthday. He admitted he kept delaying getting help, trying to cut back himself. He’d tell himself things like, “I’ll only take two pills today,” or “I’ll only drink this much from the bottle,” and even try to track his limits. But he’d usually manage to stay on track for just a couple of days before a social event would derail his efforts.
Gilbert ultimately realized he needed professional 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, “It really bothered me, and I’m usually a very determined person, but this was the one thing I just couldn’t control.”
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2026-06-02 18:22