Macy Gray previously admitted that her sudden rise to fame turned her into a “massive a***hole” and led her down the path of drug use.
The 57-year-old singer recently made headlines after abruptly leaving The Masked Singer, causing quite a stir.
However, this isn’t the first time she’s sparked controversy on camera. Gray shot to global stardom when I Try earned her five Grammy nominations and eventually won her the award for best female pop vocal performance in 2000.
Despite her success, the former college student from Canton, Ohio, found it difficult to adjust to her new life. In a past interview with Oprah Winfrey, Macy confessed that her newfound wealth and constant praise led her to drugs.
She said: “I was a massive a***hole. I probably made a lot of people upset.”
She also revealed that her drug use began while on tour with her English crew, who would “smoke hash all day and knew where to find good ecstasy”. This lifestyle resulted in awkward media interviews, but reporters were unaware of the underlying cause, reports the Mirror.
The singer shared: “I actually will admit this: I used to do press with my glasses on because I’d be sitting there falling asleep. Literally.
“They’d be talking to me and I’d be asleep. They would be like, ‘She’s an enigma! She doesn’t answer anyone’s questions. When you ask her a question, she just stares. She’s very intense.’ But I would be asleep.”
Macy spoke about overcoming drug use after facing signs that “really scared her”, such as under-eye bags and unusual skin conditions. Yet, she regards her past experiences as part of her destined path.
However, she raised eyebrows when detailing her unconventional methods of relaxation to viewers of The Surreal Life last year – stating it wasn’t “breathing classes in the mountains”.
Inquiring about her ways to unwind, she said: “Like cocaine and a couple of shots. Get those edibles down my throat and I’m good, girl! You order me a pizza and I’m straight. I don’t need all that sh**, I’m good.”
Despite the challenges in maintaining the momentum from her multi-platinum debut album, Macy has carved out an impressive career for herself, including notable roles in movies like Spider-Man and Training Day.