TRAGIC DESCENT: FORMER TEEN HEARTTHROB LEIF GARRETT’S LIFE TAKES A DARK TURN

In my opinion, it seems that the artistic and performance contributions of teenage heartthrob Leif Garrett are not adequately recognized. He warranted greater acknowledgment!

Across his journey, the one-time teen idol faced significant triumphs and setbacks. Unfortunately, his pursuit of highs through drug addiction, employed as a coping mechanism, ultimately led to the decline of his career…

Before observing him in his current state at 61, it might be advisable to brace yourself.

He was quite the heartthrob… Leif Garrett began his career as a child actor, and in the 1970s, he captured the admiration of young women when he transitioned to become a musician.

According to my mom, during trips to the grocery store with her parents, Leif’s face graced the covers of various teen magazines at the checkout lanes, causing a stir among fans.

UNSPECIFIED – CIRCA 1970: Photo of Leif Garrett Photo by Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images

The American singer-actor, born in Hollywood, California, made his debut at the age of 5 in the 1969 movie “Bob & Carol & Ted & Alice,” which ranked as the sixth highest-grossing film of the year.

Following this, the dreamy-eyed, blond heartthrob starred in the film “Walking Tall” and its two sequels. In 1983, he joined other teen heartthrobs, such as Matt Dillon, C. Thomas Howell, Patrick Swayze, and Tom Cruise, in Francis Ford Coppola’s “The Outsiders.”

Some may also recognize him from his roles in TV series like “Family,” “The Odd Couple” (1974), “Wonder Woman” (1978), and “CHiPs” (1979).

In 1977, he launched his inaugural album, “Leif Garret,” causing a fan frenzy with covers of popular songs such as “The Wanderer” (Dion), “Surfin’ USA” (The Beach Boys), and Paul Anka’s “Put Your Head on My Shoulder.”

UNSPECIFIED – CIRCA 1970: Photo of Leif Garrett Photo by Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images

At the peak of his success, Garrett, with his blond, unkempt hair, toured globally, eliciting ecstatic reactions from his predominantly young female fans.

“I was on a public appearance tour in Sydney, Australia, and they had to fly me in by helicopter. Then, I jumped into an armored car and drove into the theater through the back door. I’ve tried using a limo there before, but the fans almost tipped it over. I guess it’s an adrenaline rush for them. They just freak out. It’s very strange,” Garrett shared with New York Daily News in 1979.

Despite his music nearing the top of the charts, he grappled with management issues that made him feel like an “impostor.” The transition to adulthood posed another challenge for Garrett.

“I believe I was a good performer from the start, but I wish they had offered me singing lessons before making a record and engaging in the typical practice of punching in a sentence here or there or words or whatever,” Garrett stated in an interview.

“There’s a particular track (‘I Was Looking for Someone to Love’) that doesn’t even sound like me at all. I would even possibly say I wasn’t even on that track. And to me, that IS fraud. That’s like a Milli Vanilli situation, the difference being, of course, mine was blended many times with myself and somebody else.”

In 1979, Garrett’s career took a nosedive when, under the influence of alcohol and drugs, he crashed a car, sending it rolling down a hillside in North Hollywood. This tragic incident left his close friend Ronald Winkler paralyzed.

However, Garrett’s life took a further negative turn. In 1980, during what he describes as “the pinnacle of pinup fame,” he indulged in a lifestyle of sex, drugs, and rock and roll alongside the iconic Queen frontman, Freddie Mercury. This period coincided with the recording of Queen’s highly successful album “The Game,” featuring hits like “Crazy Little Thing Called Love” and “Another One Bites the Dust.” Garrett formed a friendship with the band, experiencing the real rock star life complete with girls and drugs.

Reflecting on this tumultuous time in an interview with Fox for the release of his memoir, “Idol Truth,” Garrett admitted, “I don’t think I was a very mature 16-year-old. I became mature very quickly because I was always surrounded by adults who were drinking and doing coke. I was a child, but being treated as an adult… And all of this was coming out of my pocket.”

He continued, “You know, I probably have the greatest fan base that I could ever imagine for myself. They have stuck with me through thick and thin. And as you know, I’ve gotten myself in plenty of bad situations. There was a lot of bad decision-making. But at the same time, I didn’t have the parental guidance that I should have at that time.”

Indie Stock Music Festival at the Pico Rivera Sports Arena in Pico Rivera California on October 28, 2017-

Garrett has accumulated a lengthy list of charges, including dropping out of rehabilitation and encountering various legal issues. These incidents involved attempting to purchase drugs from undercover police and concealing heroin in his shoe.

Despite earnest attempts to rebuild his life and career, Garrett eventually regressed into his old habits. Due to his comical encounters with the law, Garrett was chosen to provide commentary on the comedy show “World’s Dumbest,” which highlights the antics of “most amazingly stupid” criminals.

The program also featured other celebrities known for their personal misadventures, such as Todd Bridges, Tonya Harding, Gary Busey, and Danny Bonaduce.

Subsequently, Garrett secured a prominent role on VH1’s “Celebrity Rehab with Dr. Drew,” a show he initially resisted participating in. Garrett accused the show of inducing a relapse for dramatic effect, a claim vehemently denied by VH1.

In an interview the LA Times, Garrett said: “They asked to get some footage of me using, and I said, ‘I haven’t been using. They said, ‘We really have to get footage of you using.’ Anyway, I was easily talked into showing them.”

When a counselor with the production called him out, suggesting he was still using, Garrett walked off the show saying: “This is insanity and quite honestly I don’t appreciate it.”

The Truth Behind Princess Catherine’s Current Health Battle Is Uncovered

The Princess of Wales, Catherine, is still going through preventative chemotherapy after being diagnosed with cancer earlier this year. At 42, she started her treatment in late February.

Princess Catherine is feeling better.

Princess Catherine is planning to reconnect with the public after facing a tough battle with cancer. She is “feeling much stronger and healthier,” and she’s ready to make her return to royal duties. For those who don’t know, the future Queen of England was diagnosed with cancer in March 2024. Since then, she has followed her doctors’ advice and stayed out of the public eye.

But now, as a loving mother of three, she’s eager to reconnect with the public, take on more engagements, and get back to her royal responsibilities. A source shared that Catherine is excited to move away from the focus on medical treatments and doctors’ visits.

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Princess Catherine is still undergoing chemotherapy.

Kensington Palace has provided a significant update on Prince William’s travel plans to Llanelli, South Wales. It’s important to note that Catherine won’t be joining her husband on this trip because she is still undergoing preventative chemotherapy.

Princess Catherine was recently spotted looking great during a visit to a church.

Catherine, Princess of Wales, made one more public appearance on August 25 since being diagnosed with cancer earlier this year. She was seen attending Crathie Kirk, a small church in Scotland, accompanied by her husband, Prince William, as well as King Charles III and Queen Camilla. William drove the car, smiling as he conversed with his wife, and chose a navy blue suit for the occasion. The royal family typically spends their summers at Balmoral Castle in Scotland.

Prior to this, Catherine was last seen in public in July at the Wimbledon men’s singles final between Carlos Alcaraz and Novak Djokovic. Catherine has been gradually returning to public life at a slow pace following the news of her health challenges.

Here’s what we know about her journey through chemotherapy.

In a heartfelt message before her appearance at Trooping the Colour on June 15, the Princess of Wales shared that her treatment is making “good progress.” However, she openly admitted that she’s having “good days and bad days.” While she’s been working from home, she reminded everyone that she’s “not out of the woods yet.”

Princess Catherine expressed hope of attending a few public events over the summer, but she urged people not to see these as her return to full public life. The Princess and her family—Prince William and their three children—have spent some of their summer break at Anmer Hall in Norfolk, where they were seen enjoying the Bear Grylls’ Go Wild festival.

In a statement released on June 14, Kensington Palace also shared a new photo of Princess Catherine, showing her leaning against a tree in Windsor Park. Alongside the photo, she expressed her gratitude for all the kind messages of support and encouragement she’s received over the last few months. These messages, she said, have made a world of difference for both her and William, helping them through the toughest times.

Kate candidly described her experience with chemotherapy, saying that she feels weak, tired, and has to listen to her body’s need for rest. But on the good days, when she feels stronger, she cherishes the time spent engaging in school life, enjoying personal activities that bring her energy and positivity, and doing a bit of work from home.

Princess Catherine has not yet returned to a full schedule of public engagements. Any future appearances will be carefully decided based on how she’s feeling at the time. There is no set timeline for her return to full-time duties, as she is being given the time she needs to rest and recover.

Earlier Princess Catherine debuted a new ring, and here’s the special meaning behind it.

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