Amy Winehouse’s Ex-Husband Denies He’s Responsible for Her Death

Blake Fielder-Civil is speaking out.

The actor, who was married to Amy Winehouse from 2007 until their divorce in 2009, has responded to rumors that he was responsible for her death in 2011 at the age of 27.

Blake recently admitted on the “We Need to Talk” podcast that he believes many people, particularly those who followed media coverage years ago, may blame him for Amy’s death. He reiterated that he takes responsibility for his actions and will always own up to any mistakes he’s made.

Blake admitted Amy had first used heroin while they were together, but stated she had experimented with cocaine with a previous partner before that.

He explained that he never held anyone responsible for introducing him to drugs. He also questioned why people would assume he forced Amy to use them, emphasizing that wasn’t the case at all.

Plus, Blake said the “Rehab” singer was “a very strong woman.”

Amy was in control of her own decisions, and it’s not disrespectful to acknowledge that. She did what she wanted, and despite the fact that her drinking was causing her problems, she continued to do so.

Blake doesn’t fully blame himself, but he acknowledges he contributed to Amy’s accidental death from alcohol poisoning. The coroner confirmed no other drugs were involved.

Look, I’m not trying to avoid taking accountability here, but this whole concept of being constantly involved in making things happen, absolutely not. I wasn’t the one pushing this forward, or the main driver behind it.

Even though Blake was in prison when his ex-wife, Amy, passed away, he still feels a strong connection to her.

He emphasized he wasn’t trying to blame Amy, but he knew she wouldn’t want him taking responsibility for everything after all this time. He imagined she’d encourage him to be honest and accurate, saying something like, ‘Just tell the truth.’

Blake explained that they were simply young people struggling with addiction. It started gradually, and he emphasized that it could happen to anyone. He clarified that their relationship wasn’t caused by, or related to, their addiction – the addiction just became a part of their lives, but didn’t define who they were as people.

Read on for more stars who have been candid about their experiences with addiction and sobriety.

In October 2018, the actor known for American Pie shared on Instagram that he had been sober for one year, marking the occasion with a positive and uplifting message.

He started trying to get sober more than five years ago, realizing his addiction to alcohol and drugs had become overwhelming. He quickly discovered it wasn’t easy.

He shared that after a difficult journey, he’s been sober for a year, and he’s incredibly proud of that accomplishment. He encouraged anyone who is struggling with addiction to seek help, reminding them 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 and ‘working on things,’ he sometimes relapses into old patterns. He described leaving a positive therapy session and immediately going to buy vodka, drinking the entire bottle, and then driving home. He admitted he used alcohol to escape his feelings and disconnect from reality, effectively removing himself from his own life.

He explained that he’d carefully planned how much he’d drink, wanting to stay clear-headed enough to talk to me. He mentioned he was constantly swapping out full bottles at the bar.

Okay, so I’ve been following Megan Rapinoe for years, and it’s just…wow. She’s talked about how tough things were back in college, playing soccer while dealing with injuries. And honestly, it’s so brave of her to admit she used Adderall then, just trying to push through the pain and stay on the field. It’s crazy to think about, considering she’s a two-time World Cup winner now! It makes you see her journey in a whole new light, you know?

She explained 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 took it constantly, often going days without sleep. It was a chaotic time, and she worried she was damaging her health – she was using large amounts and even snorting it, which she now recognizes as a major problem.

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 on the show Baby, This Is Keke Palmer that his oldest son repeatedly asked for pineapple Fanta, even though he rarely drinks soda. The son eventually noticed his dad’s drink was a different color and asked why, which Offset said was a really emotional moment for him.

Offset explained that the seemingly harmless comment really upset him, adding, “I almost cried when I went 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 even something as simple as his son wanting the same drink made him anxious, fearing he was a bad influence.

As someone who’s followed a lot of personal journeys, I’ve always admired how open this two-time Oscar winner is about his sobriety. He’s often talked about December 29th, 1975 – the day everything changed for him, and he committed to a sober life. It’s incredibly inspiring to see someone share such a pivotal moment with the world.

In an October 2025 interview on The New York Times‘ podcast, The Interview, he admitted he was driving under the influence in California and essentially lost consciousness at the wheel. He said he had no idea where he was going and didn’t fully grasp the danger until he realized he could have seriously hurt or killed someone – or himself, something he didn’t seem to care about at the time. This moment led him to recognize he had a problem with alcohol.

He turned to a friend for support, which helped him start a new chapter in his life. In December 2025, he celebrated 50 years of sobriety and shared a message of hope with others who are struggling with the same challenges he faced decades ago.

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.

Jax revealed on the March 4th episode of Bravo’s Hot Mic podcast that he’s struggling with addiction, specifically with cocaine. He admitted it was difficult to talk about.

He explained that he’s struggled with this issue intermittently since he was 23, and now, at 45, it continues. He’d sometimes manage to stop, but then 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 linked to his cocaine use. He explained he couldn’t use cocaine without drinking alcohol, so he decided to quit both. He’s currently proud to have been sober for 82 or 83 days – the longest stretch of sobriety he’s ever experienced.

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, and I’m not afraid to say that.” He believes that even having a beer every day could be a sign of a problem.

The actor explained that you eventually get to the point where you regret having one too many drinks. Then, you wake up with a really bad headache the next day.

After changing his lifestyle, Holland found he was sleeping more soundly and coping with difficulties more effectively.

He explained that he was much calmer and more able to handle problems on set. He felt mentally focused, healthier, and in better physical shape.

Sean Connery, known for his role in Hunt for Red October, rarely discusses his recovery, which started nearly forty years ago.

He revealed in a May 2024 podcast interview that he doesn’t often talk about his sobriety, only mentioning it occasionally 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 massive amount of the drug, saying it felt as common as drinking coffee and that he and others used it constantly. He estimated his use was so extensive it felt like a line stretched 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 calming. He loves simply walking around and 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.

In April 2024, Anne Hathaway, known for her role in The Princess Diaries, revealed she has been sober for over five years. She told The New York Times that reaching this point felt like a significant achievement.

She explained her decision simply. “I realized I wasn’t truly interested,” she said. “It felt drastic to have to completely decline, but I realized I couldn’t do any of it. It’s like an allergy – if you have a severe reaction, you don’t question it. I finally stopped questioning my own feelings.”

Honestly, hearing her talk about it just gets me. She said it was the best decision she ever made, and she’s so right! She explained it like, everything in her life improved after. She even said it used to be like fuel for her to just… dwell on things, and she hates that. I totally get it, you know? It’s like she finally broke free, and it’s amazing to hear her say it.

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 damaging lifestyle almost ended her career.

I believe we all have key moments that shape our lives and future. Early in my career, I was heading down a very destructive path, and despite any achievements, I constantly felt inadequate. I had very little self-worth, and this quickly led to a crisis. At the time, I didn’t understand why, but it almost felt like something bigger was intervening.

I’ve been following Demi Moore’s story for a while now, and I was really touched by what she shared about getting help back in 2012. She talked about how two people, who were practically strangers to her, really stepped up and gave her a wake-up call. She joked that they basically told her she needed to get her act together or face the consequences, and I found that so powerful. She said they gave her a chance to change direction before she ruined everything, and it’s amazing to hear how those two people impacted her life so profoundly.

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 Xanax addiction since 2020. She told Rolling Stone that recovery provided much-needed stability during a difficult time. “It gave me something to focus on when I was struggling, and it gave me hope for the future,” she explained.

The singer explained that once they discovered a way to briefly escape their pain, they were finished – meaning they’d reached a turning point or accepted their situation.

She explained that her friends at the time didn’t discourage her drug use, and it quickly spiraled out of control. During the pandemic, she realized she was struggling and felt disconnected from her emotions. She remembers being constantly drowsy and falling asleep, unable to stay awake or keep her eyes open 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 life.

He explained that he became emotional realizing he was on the verge of repeating past mistakes. He recalled repeatedly asking himself if he really wanted to lose out on this opportunity again, and urging himself to push through, even if only for the sake of others. He used harsh self-criticism to motivate himself, determined not to fall back into old patterns.

Focusing on making music again was a key part of the Oscar winner’s recovery from addiction.

He described how it activated a light. This made him realize he was no longer ashamed of being sober. Instead, he began to see his sobriety as a strength, and he felt proud of overcoming his addiction.

The former star of Parenthood had been sober for 16 years when she started taking Vicodin again in 2020, following an injury from a motorcycle accident.

He explained on his Armchair Expert podcast that he’s been taking prescription medication consistently for about the last two months, and he’s also taking extra doses beyond what’s prescribed.

He admitted he was miserable and felt he had to stop, but his habit was escalating rapidly. He was now using eight pills a day, a dose he knew would cause severe withdrawal symptoms. This realization filled him with fear and a growing sense of isolation, and he felt 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 her naturally puffy eyes. The resulting prescription dramatically altered her life. She told People magazine that she spent ten years stealing and deceiving others, keeping it a secret from everyone.

Curtis recalls the summer of 1998 as her lowest point. Her sister arrived with prescription painkillers for a broken rib, and Curtis ended up taking them all. Remembering the event brought her to tears as she described knowing her sister would discover the missing pills before leaving. She confessed in a note left on the suitcase, and 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 that same day, she told her husband, filmmaker Christopher Guest, about her past struggles with addiction. 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 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, explaining that alcohol simply wasn’t beneficial to her life.

It’s amazing how freeing and nerve-wracking it feels to finally share who we are, what we believe in, and everything we’ve achieved.

Drew Barrymore told the Los Angeles Times she avoids calling herself “sober” because she doesn’t want to come across as overly strict or judgmental.

In 2023, she reflected on a long struggle, saying she used to tell herself, ‘I can learn this, I can solve this.’ 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 his problematic behavior.

Honestly, hearing Cooper talk about it on Smartless in 2022 just… hit me so hard. He said it was the first time he realized things were spiraling with drugs and alcohol, and I just remember thinking, ‘Oh my god, that’s when it really started.’ It’s a moment I’ll never, ever forget. It felt so raw and real, and it broke my heart to hear him say it.

Cooper explained that Arnett was instrumental in his decision to get sober, saying, “Arnett wasn’t afraid to have a difficult conversation with me, and that conversation 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 became sober because of this man,” and added that he’s been happier every day since.

In September 2023, the former Cruel Intentions star revealed on Instagram that she hadn’t used nicotine or marijuana—or any substances, really—for longer than she had since her teenage years.

Honestly, seeing him talk about finally being free from all that… it just gets me. He said it himself – breaking those chains of addiction feels amazing. He’s talking about real sobriety, like a clear head and actually feeling connected to something bigger than himself, and it’s just… so good to hear. It feels so real and genuine, you know?

In 2018, the singer celebrated six years of sobriety while on tour. However, she surprised and saddened fans later that year with the release of her honest song “Sober,” in which she admitted to having struggled with relapse.

She sang, filled with regret: “Mom, I’m truly sorry I’ve lost my sobriety. And Dad, please forgive me for the mess I’ve made. To those of you who’ve stuck by me, I know we’ve faced this before, and I’m so sorry I’m struggling again.”

A month later, Lovato was hospitalized for a near-fatal overdose.

I’ve always been open about my struggles with addiction, and I want to share an update. I’ve learned that this isn’t something you just ‘get over’ – it’s a constant process, and I’m still working through it. Right now, I really need to prioritize healing and my sobriety. The outpouring of love and support I’ve received has meant the world to me, and I’m hopeful for the day I can confidently say I’ve come through this stronger. I’m committed to continuing the fight, and I appreciate you all being on this journey with me.

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 problematic relationship with alcohol.

She recalled a particularly low point when she was home alone and had already finished two bottles of wine, about to open a third. It was then she realized she might have a drinking problem, thinking to herself, ‘Wait a minute – you’re all alone and on your third bottle? That’s not good.’

I stopped completely, and that’s something I’m capable of doing. I tend to get really into things, so I always have to be mindful of my habits. It’s not necessarily what you do, but how and why you do it. It’s about the motivations behind your behavior. For example, wanting to have a lot of sex is fine, but it’s important to understand 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 feeling 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 eliminating 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 an ongoing, daily effort, but explained 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 personal boundaries, which is something I never did before. It’s really helped me. I also understand now that ‘AJ’ is just a public persona – it’s not the whole me. My real name is Alexander James, and that’s who I truly am.

Following the tragic death of Mac Miller, rapper Bow Wow—born Shad Moss—revealed on Twitter that he had once battled an addiction to cough syrup, also known as “lean.” He shared a series of tweets detailing his struggle, explaining that he was heavily addicted to lean while working on the “Face Off” album with Omarion. He admitted to being high on lean during a well-known on-stage incident with Torae on BET, and throughout the UCP tour with Chris Brown, consuming it at least seven times a day. He recounted collapsing backstage at a show in Cincinnati and waking up in the hospital experiencing withdrawal symptoms.

Bow Wow described the pain of withdrawal as unlike anything he’d ever felt, noting he even wore multiple hoodies in the summer because he was so cold. He confessed to missing shows in Chicago and Baltimore due to being high and sick, and emphasized that he had been using the drug simply to fit in. He urged his fans to avoid drugs, to be good to their families, and to strive to be their best selves, promising to speak out more about the issue.

He explained that he still suffers from stomach problems as a result of his addiction, and reiterated his commitment to staying drug-free. He ended with a plea to young people to break the cycle of drug use, and a message of love and support, emphasizing the importance of saving young lives and preventing further tragedies.

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.

In an interview with The Guardian, she described feeling deeply unfulfilled. She recalled a particularly low point when she considered trying heroin, believing it might be the only thing that could provide relief because nothing else was helping.

The actor known for The Parent Trap struggled with cocaine addiction during the 1980s, leading him to enter rehab in 1990. He later shared on Today that he came of age in the 1960s and 70s, a time when attitudes toward drug use were very different.

Let me tell you, the eighties were a really tough time for me. I fell deep into cocaine use – it got to the point where it was impacting my finances, even showing up in my movie budgets. I remember countless nights desperately pleading with a higher power to help me stop, because I’d have to be on set for work in just an hour. It was a cycle, though. I’d promise to quit, then convince myself everything was manageable just a few hours later. It was a really dark period, and honestly, a struggle I wouldn’t wish on anyone.

He described a powerful experience, what he called seeing a white light, where he felt 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 sought professional help. This, he said, marked the end of his struggle with cocaine.

As a longtime supporter of Ryan Lochte, it was really tough to hear about the incident in Newport Beach. But I was relieved to learn that he decided to get help in 2018. His team shared that he’s been privately struggling with alcohol addiction for years, and it had unfortunately become a harmful cycle. They said he realized he needed professional help to get better, and thankfully, he’s getting that support right away. It’s a brave step, and I’m rooting for him to overcome this.

The statement ended by saying Ryan understands overcoming this illness is crucial, not only to prevent future regrets, but also to be a good husband and father, and to have a chance at competing in his fifth Olympic Games in Tokyo in 2020 and regaining his top form.

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 great, but he didn’t think that person was him. He admitted on The Drew Barrymore Show in March 2023 that he felt too unstable at the time.

However, as Ritter noted to TopMob News, he now sees that sobriety is ultimately a personal choice.

Looking back on the beginning of their relationship, he explained that he often justified his actions by saying he was doing them for her. He admitted this was because he didn’t have much self-worth at the time and was more concerned with protecting her feelings than his own. Initially, it felt simpler to frame everything as being for her benefit, but now he’s motivated by his own well-being.

The country singer has been sober for almost ten years, but achieving that took a lot of work. His struggle with alcohol and painkillers started shortly after high school and continued even as his music career grew. He confessed to People magazine that he always kept a black leather laptop bag nearby filled with Jagermeister or vodka, and would drink from it every hour and a half to two hours. He also admitted to taking a pill or two every three to four hours.

It didn’t hinder his accomplishments at all. “I wasn’t falling apart,” he explained. “Actually, I was incredibly productive – I wrote more songs during that time than I do today, and that’s what really worried me.”

In late 2011, he was hospitalized with pancreatitis and warned that his life was in danger if he continued to drink. He admitted he initially tried to cut back on his own, setting small goals like limiting himself to a certain amount of alcohol or pills each day, even marking bottles to track his consumption. However, he found it difficult to maintain these limits, as social events would often derail his progress. He remembered thinking, ‘I’ll just have a little,’ but then someone would throw a party and he’d relapse.

I was so relieved when he finally asked for help. He checked into rehab on December 18, 2011, and later explained it was because he realized he couldn’t beat this on his own. He was really frustrated and embarrassed by it all, which I totally understood. He’s always been a strong person, but this was the one thing he just couldn’t seem to control, and it took a lot of courage to admit that.

2026-03-18 07:20

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