Kelly Osbourne: ‘I’ve been to rehab seven times and to two mental institutions’

I don’t really know why Kelly Osbourne keeps getting magazine covers, but there you go. Kelly covers the September issue of Cosmo UK – the cover image is terrible, but the photo with the phone is okay. As for the interview… Kelly talks about her issues with drugs and learning how to be a caretaker for both of her parents. I’ll admit it, the part about caretaking actually struck close to home for me:

When a cry for help goes out, the Osbournes are there for each other.

“I’ve been to rehab seven times and to two mental institutions,” Kelly Osbourne, discussing how mother Sharon supported her throughout her numerous stints in rehab, tells September’s Cosmopolitan U.K., out Aug. 7.

“My mum even had me put in a padded cell once to scare me,” says Kelly, 28, “but like a brat I just sat it out until she said, ‘Well, that’s not going to work.’ ”

And – like mother, like daughter – Kelly, in turn, also diligently took care of Sharon 10 years ago when the matriarch was battling cancer.

“When I was 18, I was set to play Lindsay Lohan’s best friend in Freaky Friday. Then my mum got diagnosed with cancer,” says Kelly. “I was faced with the choice of a career or spending what could have been the last days of my mother’s life with her.”

The choice was apparently clear. ” ‘I said, ‘F— you, career, hello, Mother.’ I became my mum’s nurse 24/7,” she says. “I gave her injections and medicines when she had seizures. I even had a parking space at the hospital with my name on it. I thought I was going to lose her – it was awful.”

When father Ozzy Osbourne had a near-fatal quad crash in 2003, Kelly stepped up once again.

“He couldn’t move from the neck down and was basically a paraplegic, so I slept on the floor by the side of his bed for four months. I brushed his teeth and washed his clothes, and every day we’d put on our swimsuits and I’d shower him,” she says.

“Not many people can say they’ve wiped their mother and father’s arses more than they’ve wiped their own,” she adds.

The Osbournes’ struggles with addiction have never been a secret. Ozzy, 64, abused drugs and alcohol for 20 years before he checked into the Betty Ford Center the day after Kelly was born. Jack Osbourne, 27, was treated for drug and alcohol addiction at 17, and Kelly’s first stint in rehab was at age 19, followed by another visit the following year.

Kelly even admits that she used to hide her drugs so that she wouldn’t have to share them. “I wanted them all to myself,” she says. “I was quite selfish.”

On the plus side, Kelly says that the recognition that she was pushing away those around her helped her to get clean.

“What changed for me was looking around and seeing that nobody liked me or wanted to work with me.”

[From People]

I took care of my dad for a while after he had major surgery, and it was the hardest and most aggravating ordeal I had ever been through. The difference, I suppose, is that the Osbournes could well afford full-time, live-in help but Kelly seems to be saying that she wanted to do it all herself – and she has siblings too, so I wonder where they were during all of that. Anyway, it’s enlightening to know that becoming your parents’ caretaker isn’t easy even when you’re rich.

Photos courtesy of Cosmo UK.

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75 Responses to “Kelly Osbourne: ‘I’ve been to rehab seven times and to two mental institutions’”

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  1. Val says:

    She’s famous because her father is famous. She needs to go away.

    • Love says:

      “She’s famous because her father is famous.” – No, no, no. She is famous because her mother made her famous. I’m sure Sharon is somehow related to Kris Jenner. They have very similar style of parenting if you know what I mean.

      • Nerd Alert says:

        +1

        If not for Sharon, none of these people in this family would be famous. Proof: try and name one other heavy metal dynasty that is even half as ubiquitous. Metal singers are rarely famous like Ozzy, and those that are don’t have famous families. Metal doesn’t work that way, man. He’s not respected in his industry anymore.

        In conclusion:
        :\mm// METAL \mm//:

  2. Jaime says:

    Geeze… can these people not keep some things private? I mean, more power to you if you have struggled with addiction and defeated it, but it’s really tacky to use it as a ploy for publicity. seriously. just gross. (not that I would expect any less from this grade A fame whore)

    • JenD says:

      Yep, very tacky. No one needs to hear any of that stuff she put out there.

    • MeowuiRose says:

      Totally agree….she has bought in, in the worst way.

    • sirsnarksalot says:

      Ironically, years ago Courtney Love was running her mouth off about how she saved Kelly’s life when she was ODing and that Sharon spent gazillions paying off people (press) to keep all of Kelly’s drug issues out of the papers. At the time people wrote it off as Courtney making up more shit to be relevant but it looks like it was true. Pity Sharon spent all that money only to have Kelly let the cat out of the bag years later for a little publicity.

    • Launicaangelina says:

      Addiction is viewed by many as a weakness and moral failure. In my opinion, the more people that talk about it realistically, the better – regardless of whether you like the celeb or not. Addiction is a chronic disease and multiple trips to rehab may be what’s needed. People relapse regularly with other chronic illnesses, such as diabetes, but they don’t get the Hell and addict gets for a relapse.

  3. erin says:

    it’s true that she is only famous because of her father, but i still like her. she seems like she doesn’t take shit from anyone and i like that a lot. also, i give her loads of credit for having such confidence as a curvy woman in the public eye.

    • Eleonor says:

      Mee too, I have a soft-spot for her.
      With all the celebrities who are famous for sextape, drugmess, plasticsurgery gone wild she is quite inoffensive.
      I think it’s also important she talks about quitting drugs; and I’ve loved she talked about taking care of her parents, that’s something nice to say.

    • Evie says:

      same here. I like her!

      • Petee says:

        I like her too.I don’t understand why people are so mean about her.

      • Barhey says:

        People are mean about her because she’s a huge, huge bully. And a hypocrite. She helps host fashion police every week and makes fun of what people wear/do, while dressing like she does.

    • Stef Leppard says:

      I kind of like her too. She reminds me of one of my close friends. But I don’t think she belongs on Fashion Police. Does she still do that?

      • Jayna says:

        She is still on there and she’s actually good. She is the only younger person on there, so stands up for eclectic choices of young celebs even if not working exactly on them always.

    • Meaghan says:

      Agreed! I like her too, there is soooo much hate on for her, I don’t get it. I’m finding that the celebs I like are the most hated, and the ones I hate are gods to the folks around here, hahaha.

  4. JL says:

    She’s riding daddies fame, yes.

    Owning up to who and what you are and taking corrective action earns my respect concerning that matter.

    Taking care of your parents is also quite respectful.

    As for riding fame, it’s not that uncommon in those circles, however if she’s bright enough to turn her life around she has the potential to really go out and make her own career / life which would be better in the end.

    • Eleonor says:

      Agreed, you know, and let’s see:
      Paris Hilton, Kardashian clan, Will Smith’s kids; Clint Eastwood wife, Emma Roberts; Rumer Willis; Stella McCartney, Lourdes Ciccone… and I don’t know who else.

    • gg says:

      This ^. It’s real easy to sit back and criticize anything and everything, but at some point, you have to acknowledge the efforts of some. As for being born to a famous person, it is what it is. I think she has improved hugely as a person from where she started and I hope she continues to move towards a positive life. And yes, that means giving up being a mean fashion critic and letting go of negative childish insecurities. Hopefully she’s a work in progress.

      • Lisa says:

        Gg, I’m right there with ya. I applaud anyone that has tried, regardless of how many times, admits to her/his failures, and for the most part tries to become a better person in the long run. We all are human, after all. I admire her efforts and her taking care of her mummy n daddy too:). I’ve done that(not as horrendous tho), and it brought me closer to her and made me realize I won’t have my mommy forever so I appreciate her even more. Kids growing up need to hear those kinds of things. Hello, Chris Brown/Entitlement generation growing up!!!

  5. judyjudy says:

    Seven times? At what point do you realize it isn’t working? After…I don’t know…three times in rehab…it becomes an excuse to eff up. Go ahead and mess up your body/life/relationships then just go to rehab to wipe your slate! Then start over and eff it all up again, you can just go back to rehab when your decisions turn messy again.

    • emmie_a says:

      judyjudy: I’m not speaking for Kelly but in general… Addiction is a DISEASE. You keep going to rehab as long as you want to beat the disease and get clean. Maybe Kelly was treating it as you state but I know people with addictions and they are tormented by their actions and keep trying whatever it takes, as many times as it takes.

      And to say that after three times it’s an excuse to eff up is pretty moronic.

      • Stef Leppard says:

        It seems like some people go to rehab because they are forced into it, not because they truly want to get better (see Brooke Mueller and her 22 stints). You can’t begin to beat addiction until you really and truly want to, no matter how many times you go to rehab. (I’m not saying that everyone who goes to rehab multiple times isn’t genuinely trying, but it does seem to be the case sometimes.)

      • emmie_a says:

        Yes, when people are forced to go it isn’t going to work because they aren’t ready to be there. But I wasn’t necessarily talking about those people. And even people who want it to work will most likely have to go through more than one round of rehab because a lot of addictions aren’t easy to kick.

    • JL says:

      Dayum JudyJudy, what did you “F” up so bad or not get that you thought you deserved to be so vicious?

      Some people get sober, some don’t I personally don;t think rehab does any good other than drying you out.

      You didn’t pay for her rehab, she seems to be off it all now and even if she wasn’t none of us would have to support her, so WTF is the problem?

      Yeah it’s a privileged ride, I don’t know if its easy given her family, so what, are you jealous someone doesn’t have to work like you?

      • judyjudy says:

        Hunh? Jealous? Work? What? No, I’m just saying that if you’ve been to rehab that many times when you’re that young then you must realize that it isn’t helping. How is that vicious?

      • JL says:

        I guess I’m confused, apparently the rehab is working so why down her now?

    • IzzyB says:

      I’ve been in inpatient treatment for anorexia 21 times.

      It becomes a point where you’re so sick you have to choose whether to live or die.

      I chose to live, but it’s a choice I have make anew EVERY SINGLE DAY.

      It takes every scrap of strength and courage you have to ignore the demons and make that choice, and it’s exhausting and demoralizing and sometimes you fail.

      It’s not weak and her 7 times don’t mean she doesn’t want to get better.

      Please, educate yourself and don’t judge others because someone might need your love and support one day.

  6. Spaz says:

    I just have issue with her saying paraplegic. She means quadplegic. I can move my arms and don’t need a caretaker. Para means two. I thought it was more widely known paraplegic means waist down. Ugh. Sorry. It just bugs.

  7. Wynona says:

    Why would anyone willingly choose that hair colour? I don’t get it

    • judyjudy says:

      She’s been in rehab seven times and a mental institution twice. Unflattering violet-grey hair makes sense in this case.

    • JL says:

      She’s under contract to “Fashion Police” to leave it that color until early 2015.

      Cackling over being in rehab and mental institution and making fun of her and others who may have similar problems in such a flippant manner turns my stomach.

      Let’s not get the facts but slam her for issues she dealt with.

      It was a business choice. I wouldn’t choose lavender hair it but it’s no worse than any other crappy dye job.

      • judyjudy says:

        I’m not making fun of addiction or mental health issues. This woman’s brand/fame is based on her and her mother’s advertisement of their family dysfunction. She’s not sharing her story as one of triumph over adversity, she’s not reaching out to lift others who are struggling. She’s telling people about rehab and mental institutions because hey! She’s an Osborne ! Look how kookie and druggie we are!
        It seems we are going to disagree about this woman and that’s fine.

      • mimi says:

        @ JL

        How odd that E! is making her keep that lavender hair until 2015. I don’t watch The Fashion Police mostly because I can’t stand Joan Rivers. Is it a big deal that her hair is that color for the show?

        I’m not a fan of Kelly’s but I’m happy she has finally kicked her substance abuse problem and is now making healthy lifestyle choices.

    • gg says:

      I think it’s gorgeous. My favorite color. I’d do it in a heartbeat if I could get away with it, but I don’t think I can so I won’t.

    • NerdMomma says:

      I love her hair color. It’s daring, amazing and fun. If I could have gotten away with it at any point, I’d have done it too! Manic Panic was big in high school

    • Relli says:

      Because how else are you going to know that she is a hardcore rebellious women who doesn’t care what boring housewife’s say about her! She isn’t some run of the mill celebtard, she is punk and is silently F-U-ing you with her hair!

  8. janie says:

    The thing I want to know is, what exactly does she do? I realize she’s a trust fund baby, but what does she actually do? Critique other peoples clothes? She’s a piece of work.

  9. icky says:

    I really, really hate this chick.
    Hypocritical bitch.

  10. Zorbitor says:

    I’m not buying that Mean Girls story

  11. emmie_a says:

    It’s easy to say F*ck You career when you have your dad’s money to tide your over. And the fact that she got a personal space at the hospital irks me, as I’ve been going to a hospital daily to visit a relative and I’m not afforded any luxuries. Why aren’t we all as worthy as Kelly?

    • paranormalgirl says:

      I get free parking in the garage at the hospital when I go to visit my best friend’s mom (she’s deployed as an army psychologist.) I visit her nearly every day. And since I’m not affiliated with that particular hospital, I don’t get any doctor perks. *shrugs*

      • emmie_a says:

        I’m not talking (and I don’t think Kelly was talking) about free garage parking. She said she had her own space, which is different than driving around for 5 – 10 minutes everyday trying to find a space then having to walk another 5 – 10 minutes to get to the hospital. Yes, I live in a big city and I’m talking about a huge hospital. My only point was she is getting extra perks because of her name and wealth.

      • JL says:

        Perhaps it was an out of the way space to alleviate paps and other press interference in hospital activities.

        The hospital is not the place to have a bunch of paps taking up space.

  12. sirsnarksalot says:

    I find her claims of being a tireless caretaker a little hard to believe. We are supposed to believe she did 7 stints in rehab and 2 stints in a mental instituion in a 5 year span AND had time to be a regular Florence Nightingale? I doubt it. Would have cut into her partying/drying out too much.

  13. Aud says:

    Rehab so many times…mental hospital. Why am I not surprised?
    Their reality show was a harbinger of future rehab stints alone. The entire family is screwed up.

  14. Kim1 says:

    Well my favorite Osbourne is Amy she is not a famewhore like Kelly.

  15. hadleyb says:

    I find it hard to believe she thought she was going to have a movie career after being in freaky friday. What?

    I highly doubt her “career” as an actress would of taken off.

    Still irritated E! keeps employing these type of people.

    E! is dead to me and has been for several years.

    • Redd says:

      You are so on target, I have given up on E, but do rarely try to catch the Soup. Love Joel!

  16. Katie says:

    To quote Chandler Bing, “shut up! shut up! SHUT UP!”

  17. mar says:

    I do like her but she is very fortunate that her parents cab afford all of thus treatment.

  18. Jayna says:

    My sister and I were my mother’s caretaker durng her cancer bout before she died, and I was never more exhausted, depleted, depressed and yet honored to do this for her. She lost all use of her hands and legs by the end because it was in her brain. It is grueling and not for the faint at heart. I admire Kelly, hearing that she was there for her parents, not removed and letting paid caretakers do it. They had the money. It says something about her and her compassionate and nurturing side. She will be a good mother.

    • BooBooLaRue says:

      Kudos to you and your sister Jayna. I took care of my mom for 18 months and to the end. She had colon cancer and vascular dementia – caregiving is the HARDEST and the MOST REWARDING duty there is. Peace be with you. And I salute Kelly.

  19. dcypher1 says:

    Yeah she grew up privileged buut that doesn’t make her a bad person. I mean compare her to all the other celebrities who grew up like her she’s seems like the most down to earth. Just cus ur rich dosent mean u don’t have problems or issue like everyone else. She seems like a sweet girl with a good head on her shoulders. Leave k.o. alone haters.

    • blaize says:

      I agree 100% that just because a person is privileged or grew up privileged doesn’t mean that they’re in any way a bad person or don’t have any problems. People are quick to harshly judge rich famous girls. If one isn’t as saintly as people feel she should be, there will be lots of pile-ons and personal attacks of a high school nature. And people will dismiss their problems just because of it. “So what if she has mental illness, struggled with an eating disorder, is receiving death threats/being told that she should die/being told that she should kill herself, being told that something violent should be done to her, etc. That’s the price of fame. Talk to me when she has real problems like death, disease, and poverty. She just wants attention. She’s rich.” Classism works both ways. When people quickly dismiss and derail like that (You Have An Agenda/Who Wins Gold In The Oppression Olympics) They’re ignoring problems in our society that effect way more people than just the rich and famous, but people don’t realize it.

      That said, down to earth? :O Kelly may not be a COMPLETE bitch, but she and her mom do have a track record of mean/bratty/childish behavior. Overall Kelly doesn’t seem too bad, but there are things about her that I don’t like. For one, she always plays the victim or ‘Miss Innocent’ in her feuds. She always makes it like it’s just the other girls being the hypocritical bitch and that she did nothing wrong.

  20. Woop says:

    STFU Nasty pig!

  21. lisa says:

    sometimes nepotism just drives me crazy

    make her unhappen

  22. Meg says:

    Keanu reeves did the same when his sister was dying. he could afford a private nurse for her but did it all himself

  23. blaize says:

    I don’t know anyone who would choose a movie role over a sickly parent anyway. I don’t like Kelly or her mom, but I do like this purple hair.

  24. jwoolman says:

    She actually started using drugs at 13. Don’t know if she can act in movies, but she was doing some kind of hosting thing for something on a kid network and she did well in the promos. So she does have some useful skills beyond fashion snark. I wouldn’t fault her for the nepotism thing. Yes, she has opportunities that others don’t have because of her parents and her inherited wealth. That’s common at all levels and how many people get their foot in the door. What is she supposed to do, pretend she has no parents, disguise herself and change her name and go live in the woods?!? What you do with those opportunities makes the difference.

    What actually impressed me in the story, though, was that she was aware enough to realize that people had come to not like her and not want to work with her, and that was a motivation for change. So hopefully she’s done with the need for rehab now. It’s not actually the number of times that matters but whether or not you actually come to a clear understanding that you don’t want to live like that any more.

  25. d b says:

    I’m sure she did really care for her mother when she was ill — along with an army of concierge 24/7 doctors and nurses

  26. Lauraq says:

    I remember the season of The Osbournes where Sharon had cancer. Kelly was bitching a lot about Aimee and Jack not acting concerned enough. I’ll believe she helped with her parents, but I don’t think she was the only one. Ozzy was def too fucked up to help with Sharon that much, but she had a nurse and Jack was there. And I’m sure Sharon did most of the caretaking when Ozzy was paralyzed.