But not necessarily in that order…
Sometimes celebrities confuse interviews with therapy sessions. Take Miley Cyrus’ dad: Reeling from the breakup of his marriage and desperate to be heard, Billy Ray throws his precious daughter under the bus. In an interview with GQ magazine, Cyrus complains that Hannah Montana destroyed his family and that Miley was going down the path of other famous, troubled stars. “Whoa, Papa Cyrus! Calm down. I know things feel really bad right now, but there is never a time to rag your kid out in public, ever! Miley needs your support now, more than ever. Doesn’t matter that she’s pushing the boundaries and acting out. That’s what teens are supposed to do, even in good times. You know that! So get in with a good therapist. Tell her your troubles and take care of yourself! Miley will not become another Michael Jackson, Kurt Cobain or Anna Nicole Smith if you’re there for her, if you believe in her, no matter what.”
“And Charlie Sheen! You’re such a talented actor. We love you in that top rated Two and Half Men. But rehabilitation from years of the most extreme drug abuse does not happen in a couple of weeks. I know you’re bored and it’s driving you out of your mind, but you really need to consider that for now you’re alive. You still have a chance to come to terms with life. You can find ways to face yourself and deal with whatever is driving you to hurt yourself. There is real help out there. Your girls need you to get a grip while you still can. If you can’t do it for you, do it for them.”
“Bernie Madoff, I don’t know what you’re trying to accomplish with your recent interview, but do you seriously think anyone is going to believe you again, ever!? It would be great if we could implicate those massive financial institutions and maybe reclaim some of those billions. Perhaps some of those people whose lives you destroyed would get some little bit of their investments back. But that’s not your intention is it? You’re just trying to find some way to feel a bit better about yourself. Dude, you’ve lied too much for too long, too much damage done… You need to learn to speak the truth! Next time you get the urge to share your deep, dark thoughts, I’m sure the facility has an excellent therapist on call.”
Speaking of truth, Cheryl Burke of Dancing with the Stars, told hers to Piers Morgan. And what a story it is! The glamorous, talented Burke is a victim of childhood sexual abuse, suffered violence at the hands of a boyfriend and speaks of struggling with finding any sense of self-worth. Her new book, Dancing Lessons, describes her remarkable journey. Also speaking up is Janet Jackson, who describes her own battle with self worth in her new book, True You: A Journey to Finding and Loving Yourself. Jackson shares her life and struggles, and looks like she’s well on her way to a bestseller. It is beautiful to see people bare their soul for all the right reasons.
And I’ve just got to say something about American Idol. Steven Tyler is fantastic and Randy is still Randy, but Jennifer Lopez is undoubtedly the real star, and probably worth every penny of the millions she’s being paid. I am so surprised to find myself trusting her. She just seems to be the most genuine and kindest of persons. And balanced, grounded, normal, healthy. Remember those days when she played her life out for the paparazzi? Well she’s certainly figured out the right order of things: Your personal pain, your struggles, your freaking out, let’s keep that for the therapist.
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