Category : Celebrities

Michael Jackson: Sexual Predator?

Michael Jackson brings up conflicting feelings in me: sympathy for him as an abused child and admiration for his talent as a performer, while not condoning in any way his probable behavior as a child molester. I watched his trial on charges of sexual abuse and thought there was evidence of guilt, although I was glad to see the charges dropped because of the way in which the trial had been conducted. Read my blog in Psychology Today at http://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/mining-the-headlines/200907/michael-jackson-and-sexual-abuse

Michael Jackson: Persecuted, not Prosecuted

I lived in Santa Ynez (down the road from Neverland Ranch) when Michael Jackson was on trial for sexual abuse. It was obvious that he was being persecuted, not prosecuted.  I was so glad when the trial was over. Although I thought the evidence showed him to be guilty, the trial itself was a travesty of justice and the charges were rightly dropped.

Jackson was not only a victim of a wrong-headed trial, but also suffered greatly from his emotional and physical abuse as a child. Actually, he was never really allowed to be a child, which he tried desperately to do as an adult. It didn’t work, and his coping mechanisms left him more broken in heart and spirit.

Read my blog about Michael Jackson and his unfortunate early death on Psychology Today at http://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/mining-the-headlines/200906/michael-jacksons-broken-heart.

David Carradine and Auto-Erotic Asphyxiation

It looks more and more likely that actor David Carradine’s death was related to the risky sexual practice called auto-erotic asphyxiation, or AEA. It’s the grown-up version of what kids call the “choking game.” Carrdaine, who is best known for his recent role in the “Kill Bill” movies and the mid-’70s TV series “Kung Fu,” was found in his Bangkok hotel room with ropes tied around his neck, genitals, and wrists. His ex-wives confirm his penchant for dangerous forms of sex play. Read my blog about this on Psychology Today.

Elizabeth Edwards on Oprah: What Was The Point?

Yes, surprisingly, I too ended up after the Oprah interview feeling more sympathy for John Edwards than for Elizabeth. it’s one thing to be really angry with your partner and quite another to hang him in full public view. I found it pretty depressing.
Read the Article at HuffingtonPost

Elizabeth Edwards: The Lies that Bind

Hi Steph,

Thank you for taking the time to vent! Just a couple of clarifications:

1. No doubt Bill Clinton respects and admires Hillary’s many talents, but I believe he also sometimes feels quite intimidated by her (who wouldn’t?!) and that that is one factor that leads him to his countless infidelities. My guess is they stay together for a host of complex reasons that include love and public status.

2. I made no comment on the importance or lack thereof of sexual fidelity in a relationship but Elizabeth did; perhaps you’re recalling her statement.

3. People don’t cause cancer; emotions can though. As a health and wellness expert, I’ve worked with thousands of cancer patients and see many of them turn the corner and begin their recovery when they are able to face their emotions and move through them. A woman like Elizabeth who is still in denial, i.e., can’t even bring herself to name the enemy, has a way to go however. I do believe that Elizabeth might well have a significant improvement in her health if she were to look at this situation more honestly. Writing a “tell all” and dragging your errant spouse on national TV is a great payback but doesn’t address the real pain that lies underneath.
More on Hillary Clinton
Read the Article at HuffingtonPost

Elizabeth Edwards: The Lies that Bind

Actually, Bob, I can imagine what it’s like to have cancer as that’s what I had! I found that when I faced the lies I was telling myself about my own life that I got better. I’d love to see Elizabeth Edwards get better too.
More on Hillary Clinton
Read the Article at HuffingtonPost

And the Truth Will…Help You Lose Weight?

I have a diet secret for you. It will help pounds melt away; it will help you fit into your skinny jeans. Ready? The truth. I have a feeling that it’s not a diet that will make me millions! But if we look at Oprah – this paragon of the American dream – we can see it is true. When we confront the truth and release the emotional pain we have been carrying, we also release the habits that cause the pounds we’ve been carrying. Her very public weight loss and gain shows us the bumps along her journey to self improvement and understanding. It doesn’t mean that she won’t get there, but that there is no express lane for getting there. Read more of my letter to Oprah at my blog on the Huffington Post.

Dec. 11, 2008

Dear Oprah,
America (and quite possibly the world) has been watching your private battle of the bulge for the last 20 years, and we feel your pain. Having battled an eating disorder myself (along with other addictions), I understand what you’re going through. Now, as a health & wellness educator,… Read Post

Culture Made Me Do It

It was a “loosey-goosey” era; he didn’t even know what he was taking. A-Rod has a number of excuses for why he took performance enhancing drugs – from it was hot in Texas to he was young and naïve. Is he kidding? And do we believe him when he says he regrets his actions? He says, “I did take a banned substance. You know, for that I’m very sorry and deeply regretful.” As I watched him, I filled in the blanks. I’m deeply regretful that I got caught. My BS radar is finely tuned, and while A-Rod is professing honesty now, he is as far from the truth as ever. Check out my blog at the Huffington Post and Psychology Today for this and other posts regarding liars in the media.

Posted February 11, 2009 | 02:10 PM (EST)
The last time we heard this much about A-Rod, he was seen coming and going with hot mama Madonna. Their alleged romance led up to his divorce, and a lousy season with the Yankees. But that’s so yesterday’s news. Sex has been left far afield in favor of… Read Post

Rihanna and Chris Brown

Feb. 18, 2009

I’ve been following the Chris Brown and Rihanna story with interest. Here are two young people beloved by millions of teenaged fans who are living out a very public demonstration of domestic violence. While the world waits to see what they each will do about the situation (will Chris’ career go down the tubes? will Rihanna go back to him?), I try to go behind the headlines and into what led them to this troubled event. Read my blogs about these two young superstars at www.huffingtonpost.com/deborah-king/rihanna-and-chris-the-myt_b_ 168222.html and www.huffingtonpost.com/deborah-king/rihanna-just-say-no-to-ab_b_166327 .html

Heather Locklear and Possible Prescription Abuse

Heather Locklear, the former “Melrose Place” star, has been fined and placed on informal probation. She pled “no contest” to a reduced charge of reckless driving, which reduced the original charge of driving under the influence of prescription drugs. Heather was fined $700 and ordered to take a 12-hour driving program. In June, she checked herself into rehab for what was termed “anxiety and depression,” likely doublespeak for another issue. In September, she had been pulled over for driving erratically and was found to be under the influence of prescription drugs.

If Heather has a problem with prescription drugs, the State of California has just enabled her to continue. A sentence that could have actually helped Heather would have to returned her to rehab for an extended stay. Sending her home doesn’t help her at all.

Don’t be ashamed if you or a loved one has a problem with prescription drugs; according to the National Institute of Drug Abuse, this problem has been on the rise for 10 years. In 2004, 9.3 percent of 12-graders reported using Vicodin. And in this troubled economy, people turn even more to substance abuse for relief. A spokesman for Mainstream Kansas City Inc., an alcohol and drug rehab treat center, said, “We’re seeing an extreme uptick in the abuse of pharmacological drugs. We have noticed it for several years, but it really became more pronounced in the last few months.

I hope Heather’s friends and family reach out to help her in this difficult time. As a recovering addict myself, I know how difficult it can be, especially with a perception that the eyes of the world are upon her.

Heather, you get past this!