Often times in Hollywood, once someone hits rock bottom, it’s not often you see them make any sort of come back. I mean, I’ve been praying for almost 10 years for Lindsay Lohan to get her shit together and I’m pretty sure God is really over rolling his eyes at me.
However, sometimes people who are mega hot messes turn it around and get their shit together and seemingly keep it together (so Charlie Sheen won’t be on this list. That man flip flops more than a mermaid on the beach..terrible analogy, but I’m tired). Here are 10 celebs that were once wild and tragic, but pulled it together and went on to be successful at life.
Zac Efron
When it came out earlier this year that mega hunk, Zac Efron, went to rehab in 2013 for a coke problem everyone was like this:
I mean, I was in shock because homeboy hid his problem well. I mean, if he hadn’t been like “yeah, I went to rehab for coke, it’s all good now, though” would any of us regular hobos even have known? UNLIKELY! Anyway, props to Zac for nipping that problem in the butt before it became a huge, career-ruining problem (he allegedly banged Lindsay Lohan while on the bad shit, though, so…yeah). Zac’s coke problem allegedly peaked while he was filming this year’s blockbuster “Neighbors”. However, he’s clean now and that film turned his career around, so, you know, thumbs up!
Britney Spears
After her break up with Justin Timberlake (may their perfect love RIP), Britney Spears personal life spiraled out of control. She got married for 55 hours, partied too much, married K-Fed, had two kids, was barefoot in public bathrooms a lot, drove with her kids on her lap, divorced K-Fed, partied with broke hoe, Paris Hilton, non-stop, shaved her head, went to rehab, gave a tragic MTV VMA performance, and basically became a sad shell of a person. However, her musical career stayed successful during all of this (that’s our Britney). Britney has essentially turned it around (sure, she seems pretty dead inside), and now has a successful residency in Las Vegas. She may never return to her glory days, but she survived 2007/2008, so props to her.
Russell Brand
Russell Brand is a self-admitted former drug addict, alcoholic, man whore who used to party like he was Keith Richards in 1970. However, Brand has since sobered up, gotten super spiritual, and has a super successful career. Some people judge him for divorcing Katy Perry, but I find that bitch super annoying, so good for him.
Demi Lovato
Demi Lovato was an adorable Disney star with a great voice and fantastic comedic timing. Then she got hooked on coke and booze and punched a bitch on tour with the Jonas Brothers. Then she went to rehab for her drug, alcoholic, and bulimia problem. Now she’s back and better than ever, real-talking about her problems and releasing super successful music.
Drew Barrymore
Nowadays, and for the past 15+ years, Drew Barrymore has been the little miss sunshine of Hollywood. She seems so sweet and innocent and pleasant and she has two little girls. However, what people forget is that home girl went to rehab when she was THIRTEEN! Drew started partying at Studio 54 when she was like 8-years-old. She started smoking at 9 (what’s cuter than a 9-year-old girl smoking at the bar?), drinking at 11, smoking pot at 12, and doing coke at 13. So she went to rehab. Then she tried to kill herself when she was 14 and went back to rehab. Yet, somehow, Drew was able to overcome her issues and went on to be a Hollywood golden girl with an incredibly successful career.
Robert Downey Jr.
From 1996-2001, Robert Downey Jr. was arrested a whole bunch for drug possession (coke, heroin, marijuana) as well as having a concealed weapon. He was in and out of rehab and jail and it basically seemed like him making any sort of comeback would be fucking impossible and he should probably just go halves on an apartment with Corey Haim. However, RDJ did, in fact, get his shit together and went on to be Ironman AND Sherlock Holmes.
Angelina Jolie
Angelina Jolie used to be a famous Hollywood bad girl wild child. She was covered in tattoos, she did drugs, she married Billy Bob Thorton, wore a vile of his blood around her neck, and would make out with him (and her brother) on red carpets. Then, she adopted her eldest son, Maddox, divorced Billy Bob, became an avid humanitarian, got together with Brad Pitt, had five more kids, and is basically the closest thing to a saint Hollywood has ever had.
Amanda Bynes
We all know the sad story of Amanda Bynes. She was an adorable teen star who began to spiral out of control, made Britney Spears in 2007 look totally stable and sane, and ended up being forced into the mental hospital. Well, as of this year, Amanda has made a lot of progress! She’s looking a lot better, has reconnected with her family, and is even attending fashion school! Here’s how she’s looking now:
Nicole Richie
Nicole Richie is now a wife, mother, and fashion icon. However, before she was all of those things, she was Paris Hilton’s for mess, former junkie sidekick:
Then, she was anorexic and had a pill problem:
Then she got arrested:
Then she got pregnant, got her shit together, turned it all around, and now this is her life:
Fergie
Before she was a successful member of The Black Eyed Peas, Fergie battled a pretty intense crystal meth addiction. However, she cleaned her act up and now has a successful music career, a hot husband, and a cute baby!