We’ve heard singers botch the words to the National Anthem, we’ve seen them forget the words, and we’ve heard them deliberately butcher what should be a serious song paying tribute to our nation’s history. Well Steven Tyler sang the National Anthem at The Patriots Ravens playoffs Sunday and he sounded like he was doing an Aerosmith ballad. He even did a little vocal riff for “Land of the Free.” The crowd was both booing and cheering, so I guess it’s safe to say he got a mixed reception.

Steven Tyler took some heat Sunday after singing an off-kilter, screechy version of The Star-Spangled Banner before an NFL playoff game between the New England Patriots and Baltimore Ravens in Foxborough, Mass.

The crowd at the game began heckling the American Idol judge, 63, as he worked his way through the national anthem, missing notes and flubbing lyrics.

He sang “as bomb bursting in air” instead of “the bombs bursting in air” and “oh the land of the free” instead of “o’er the land of the free.”

ESPN analyst Skip Bayless spoke for many when he Tweeted: “How could Patriots be inspired by that awful Anthem sung by Steven Tyler? At least give him some screaming guitars to camouflage voice.”

The journalist and humorist Greg Gutfeld added: “i went outside to put a raccoon out of its misery – then i realized my neighbor was watching Steven Tyler sing the Star-Spangled Banner.”

Others felt that the frontman of Boston-based Aerosmith was just being himself. “I’m not understanding the people who say Steven Tyler ‘butchered’ the national anthem,” wrote one of his fans on Twitter. “He sang as he always does … what were you expecting?”

[From People]

Some of the YouTube comments note that this is just how Steven sings, and that it was decent to awesome. Others say it was bad and disrespectful, and mention that Steven did screw up the lyrics. He sang “And the rockets’ red glare, as bombs bursting in air.” The real line is “And the rockets’ red glare, the bombs bursting in air,” but it’s a very minor difference and not what the crowd was responding to. (People claims he sang “Oh the land of the free,” but I didn’t hear that, I thought he said “O’er.”) One commenter noted that it was more disrespectful for the crowd to boo the Anthem than for Steven to sing it like classic rock. Personally I wouldn’t be offended by this, but I’m not a sports-goer by any means. People who are true sports fans take the Anthem very seriously.

Note: as I was looking for photos to include with this story, I came across these recent pictures of Steven Tyler shirtless and I actually shuddered.

Steven is shown on 9-23-11, 12-12, 12-13, and 12-14-11 (outside Idol.) Credit: FameFlynet

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This news really freaked me out because I’m paranoid about dental issues. Aerosmith lead singer and “American Idol” judge Stephen Tyler knocked out two teeth after suffering a nasty fall in the shower on Tuesday in Paraguay. Tyler claims that he was ill from Montezuma’s revenge and insists that he was neither drunk nor high. The 63-year-old rocker was rushed to the hospital and received stitches in his face; Steven also had two new chompers put in by a dentist. Here’s the “before” photo, which looks pretty bad, from after the fall:

Here’s the really incredible part though — after cancelling merely one concert, Tyler is already back in action and hopped onstage again last night. Unlike myself, who would’ve gladly taken at least a week to recover, Tyler performed on Wednesday night to a record-setting crowd. He talked to Matt Lauer on this morning’s “Today” to reassure his fans that everything’s alright now:

On His Fall: I went in looking like Baryshnikov. and walked out looking like [boxer] Leon Spinks! Just quite frankly I passed out… I fell on my face, I woke up with the water running on me, not knowing where the hell I was.

On Assumptions That He “Fell Off The Wagon”: Being in the program I’m in, it’s something we have to accept. I went public with my problems only to address them straight on — people thinking [I relapsed] is natural and normal. It still bothers me a little, but it’s something I’ll have to deal with the rest of my life.

On Last Night’s Concert: I wore my sunglasses for my first song, took ‘em off and the crowd roared. Not only did I break my face but we broke the house record — life is beautiful Matt!

[From MSNBC]

He has such a great attitude, right? Honestly, he should take it easy though. A tour can totally be rescheduled, and his fans would completely understand. Instead, he’s pushing forth like nothing happened. Amazing.

Here’s some photos Steven last month at the MGM Grand Hotel in Las Vegas.

Photos courtesy of Fame, MSNBC

For those of us who reside outside the Hollywood bubble, it’s been a rather transparent exercise to witness Jennifer Lopez negotiate her way into a much higher salary for a second season of judging duties on “American Idol.” As far as Lopez’s strategy goes, Kaiser initially called it; and sure enough, Lopez issued some statements to the BBC merely one week later. In the interview, Lopez used a number of catchphrases, including “on the fence” and “waiting and seeing” to express her (faux-)ambivalence to returning to “Idol.” All the while, I’ve been rather flummoxed that FOX studio heads would fall for this tactic because, honestly, it seems rather unlikely that most “Idol” fans have been tuning into the show for many seasons, and the fact that Lopez is a relatively new judge hasn’t helped ratings at all. True, the ratings have remained level and steady since Simon Cowell’s departure, but I think this has more to do with the show’s content than whomever happens to be judging. Still, FOX has inexplicably rewarded Lopez with a new $20 million salary to perform the same exact duties for a second season of “Idol.” Boy, I bet Steven Tyler is pissed that he made the mistake of signing a multi-year deal, right?

Fear not, Jennifer Lopez fans: the singer is returning to “American Idol” to judge for at least another year, TheWrap has learned through two individuals familiar with the deal.

The pop star will be returning to the singing competition with a contract with the Fox Broadcasting Network that’s “a smidge over” $20 million, according to one of the individuals.

Both insiders said the deal is complete but has not yet been signed.

Another insider close to the show denied that a deal was in place.

Others disagreed. The $20 million was apparently the base minimum for Lopez, and after tough negotations with Fox, ended up just above that number.

It’s a considerable raise from the $12 million she reportedly raked in for handling judge duties last season.

The only hurdle left to be cleared in the deal, according to one of the individuals, is scheduling. Lopez will be working on two major productions — the romantic comedy “What to Expect When You’re Expecting,” which is slated for a May 2012 release, and the thriller “Parker,” currently in pre-production — which will most likely necessitate a shift in audition dates for the upcoming season.

[From Thw Wrap]

Of course, FOX has made the very grave (repeat) mistake of only signing Lopez for one more season, which means that she’ll pull the same stunt next season too. And she’ll keep doing it until she ultimately reaches Simon Cowell’s former salary of $35 million per season. In addition, one cannot help but notice that this substantial salary increase follows weeks of headlines dealing with Lopez and Marc Anthony’s joint divorce announcement. In addition, FOX’s decision arrives immediately upon the heels of that strategically-scheduled Vanity Fair cover. You gotta hand it to JLo — she played this one quite well.

Photos courtesy of Fame

For some reason, Steven Tyler made the cover of People Magazine this week. In an allegedly exclusive and ground-breaking interview, we find out that Steven used to snort everything he could find. How… not shocking. I honestly would have thought that the royal wedding would have taken the cover! I’m shocked that Waity & Wills aren’t on every cover this week (they only took the covers of OK! Magazine and Life & Style!). So, whatever, snort, snort, snort:

Steven Tyler doesn’t need drugs to get high these days. All he needs is to go to work at American Idol.

“If you think going out in front of high-def cameras and millions of people I’m not high on adrenaline, you’re crazy,” the rocker-turned-judge tells PEOPLE in this week’s cover story.

“I’m stoned when that curtain drops,” adds Tyler, 63. “I just don’t snort the curtain dropping. I don’t snort J. Lo either, though I do breathe her in.”

Tyler’s nutty, what-will-he-say-next personality has not only catapulted Idol back to must-watch status, it’s also turned him into one of this year’s most lovable stars.

After years of being known for fights with his bandmates and trips to rehab, Tyler is thrilled that he finally gets to show off his warm and compassionate side.

Sober for a year-and-a-half, the Aerosmith frontman – whose memoir, Does the Noise in My Head Bother You?, will be out May 3 – says he is “grateful” that he’s survived several health problems, as well as his hard-partying ways.

“Left up to my own devices,” says the singer, “I probably would have been dead several times over.”

[From People]

Wow, how powerful, how intense, what an amazing tale of redemption. A dude is a hardcore addict for decades, somehow manages to get sober and is instantly awarded cultural mainstream acceptance on American Idol. I hate to get all Jezebel about this, but what if the genders were reversed? The descriptors wouldn’t be “nutty, what-will-he-say-next personality.” They would be “pathetic, depressed, sorrowful, horrible role model” etc.

Photos courtesy of WENN & CoverAwards.

Just minutes ago, Ryan Seacrest announced the final three judges of this next season of American Idol. The line-up is what everyone expected: Jennifer Lopez, Steven Tyler, and Randy Jackson. You know what? With those three, I’m going to call it: someone is going to end up pregnant, someone is going to end up overdosing, and someone is going to end up eating a sandwich. Seriously, though, J.Lo will get pegged as “the bitch” or “The Simon” but something tells me Steven Tyler has an inner bitch just dying to get out, and might give J.Lo a run for her money. We’ll see…

It’s official! Jennifer Lopez and Aerosmith’s Steven Tyler will be joining Randy Jackson at the judges’ table when American Idol kicks off season 10 in January.

“I’m looking for the next Michael Jackson,” Lopez said before a screaming crowd at the Los Angeles Forum after Ryan Seacrest introduced her. “We’re looking for the best American Idol ever.”

The announcement was made during a live press conference Wednesday. Seacrest hosted the event, telling the crowd, “We are looking for the next star in music. We usually ask, who will be the next American Idol? We never asked this question, who will be the next judges on American Idol?”

Seacrest then introduced Randy Jackson, who told the crowd, “We found some unbelievable talent and I am calling season 10 the remix, baby!”

Up next, Tyler was introduced as a “rock legend.” The Aerosmith frontman said joining the Idol family feels “fabulous.”

“[It] feels like the perfect feathered nest,” he said. “It’s being a part of something much bigger than yourself. I want to bring some rock to this roller coaster.”

Lopez, who dressed in a silver pant suit, was the last to be introduced.

“I love you guys. I am so excited,” she told the crowd that included Idol hopefuls, there to try out for the show. “It is about concentrating in the moment, do the best you can. Just live! Just live, it’s your moment.”

The announcement comes with little surprise. In weeks leading up to the decision, sources told PEOPLE Lopez signed the deal worth $12 million. And Tyler himself said he would “probably” be a judge when the show returned in the winter.

[From People]

Well, that’s done. Now we don’t have to listen to any more bitchy tabloid stories about Jennifer right? Oh, wait. That’s the only reason she got hired – so that she’ll create scandals and give Idol more press, because even bad press is good press. I hope the battle royale comes down between Jennifer and La Seacrest. Wouldn’t that be amazing? I think Jennifer would win, hands down. She would slap the sh-t out of him and then sit on him, crushing his tiny body. *fingers crossed*

While there is no official confirmation yet on the new panel of American Idol judges, rumor has it that Jennifer Lopez and Steven Tyler will join a three judge panel to also include longtime yes-man Randy “here’s the thing” Jackson. Both Simon Cowell and Ellen Degeneres have left, with Simon’s departure in the works for some time and Ellen issuing a statement that she was leaving because the show was not the “right fit” for her and adding that she had a hard time hurting the contestants’ feelings. Tyler has confirmed that he’s in talks with Idol, and called talks a “work in progress.” Jackson has said that the panel is still up in the air for next season, but that Ryan Seacrest will remain as host and he would welcome working with Jennifer Lopez.

We’ve heard plenty of stories about other celebrities and musicians considered for Idol. Popeater has some insider information on the judges that either passed up the chance or were unsuccessful in talks. Musicians Barry Manilow and Elton John are reported to have turned down Idol due to busy schedules and a lack of interest. Idol producers then tried to woo musicians whose careers were faltering. Lopez and Jessica Simpson were in talks, but Simpson’s dad is said to have ruined it for her by being too demanding.

“J.Lo was definitely not the first choice,” an ‘Idol’ insider tells me. “In fact, she wasn’t even the second or third choice.”

My source tells me that before they approached Lopez, producers first asked Elton John and Barry Manilow to join the hit — but starting to struggle — show. Both are undeniably great singer-songwriters who have mentored contestants in prior seasons, so it wouldn’t have been a stretch.

Alas, neither Elton nor Barry wanted to start a whole new career as a TV judge.

“It became clear that neither performer was ready to stop doing what they did best, writing and performing,” the ‘Idol’ insider says. “Plus, they are international legends. They certainly don’t want their legacy to be [as] the guy that replaced Simon Cowell on ‘Idol.’”

Once producers realized it was going to be impossible to get an artist who was still selling millions of concert tickets and CDs to join the show, they started to look at celebrities whose careers were basically stuck in neutral. They settled on artists who needed the exposure of a national TV show as much as the troubled show needed them. That’s when they turned to Jessica Simpson and Jennifer Lopez.

“Let’s face facts,” one insider tells me. “Jessica Simpson and Jennifer Lopez’s careers are in a slump. They are still big names, but haven’t sold out solo shows or had hit CDs in a long time. I think we can all agree that both ladies’ movie careers are dead and the offers are not pouring in.”

The job could have been Jessica’s, but a little thing got in the way: Joe Simpson.

“This was definitely Jessica’s to lose and that’s exactly what her dad-manager did. Once it became clear it was going to be impossible to negotiate a deal with papa Joe, J.Lo was snapped up. Convinced being on the show would relaunch her performing career, she accepted the new job right away.”

Be careful what you wish for Jennifer: Paula thought ‘Idol’ would send her back to the top of the charts too.

[From Popeater]

Poor Jessica, her dad only knows how to pimp out his daughter’s personal life and has no clue how to manage her career. Remember when she was a moderately popular pop singer who tried to branch out into films? That seems like so long ago now.

In contrast, Popeater has a related earlier story about how Lopez’s manager, Benny Medina, pitched her so well to Idol that they were convinced they needed her despite her sagging career. Idol was down 20% in the ratings this year and was sometimes bested by Dancing with The Stars. They may as well follow the same model and hire has-beens and would-bes to fill the panel. Maybe they should have a rotating panel that doesn’t rely too heavily on any single judge to carry it. Without snarky Simon it won’t be the same, and it’s not like Randy did much more than agree with whatever Simon said. Randy should have been the first one to go.

Here’s Jessica hanging all over her new boyfriend, Eric what’s-his-name, while out in NY on 7/27/10. Yeah, that’s not going to last. Credit: David Krieger / bauergriffinonline.com. J. Lo is shown on 6/15/10. Credit: L. Gallo/WENN.com

The Aerosmith saga is taking yet another ugly turn. Even though front man Steven Tyler finally did the right thing and got himself into rehab for substance abuse, it looks like the rest of Aerosmith doesn’t want to wait around for him to get better and return to the band. Maybe ther were miffed by Steven’s pre-rehab rantings about taking a two-year hiatus to work on “Brand Tyler.” Rolling Stone reported that Joe Perry and the rest of the guys have been approaching other singers, including Lenny Kravitz and former Bad Company front man Paul Rodgers about replacing Tyler. This prompted Tyler to call his new manager from rehab, who issued a scathing letter threatening legal action if Aerosmith records or tours without him. The gloves are off!

Steven Tyler’s new manager has sent a letter to Aerosmith’s management threatening legal action if the band makes good on their promise to tour with a new singer, Billboard reports. In the letter, manager Skip Miller asserts that Tyler is synonymous with Aerosmith: “Can you imagine the manager of the Rolling Stones calling for the replacement of Mick Jagger?” Miller writes. “Steven is Aerosmith, along with the others. He’s the guy the public knows. He’s the singer.”

As Rolling Stone previously reported, prior to entering rehab for an addiction to prescription pain medicine, Tyler vowed to stay in Aerosmith, saying in a statement, “I wish to set the record straight and say that I have read reports of a rumored two-year hiatus and want to be clear that this is completely false and I will enthusiastically be writing, recording and performing with Aerosmith as soon as things are handled.” Miller’s letter reiterated Tyler’s sentiment, noting, “Steven Tyler does not want lawsuits. We do not want to go in that direction. The direction we want is Aerosmith, with Steven Tyler, touring in Europe, touring Latin America, releasing a new album… This is the direction it’s all intended to go,” Billboard reports.

Tyler has made a few unexpected public appearances while in rehab, first singing at a local pub’s karaoke night and then surprising Home Depot shoppers with an impromptu performance over the hardware store’s loudspeaker system. His bandmates, meanwhile, are rumored to have asked vocalists like Billy Idol, Lenny Kravitz (who declined) and Paul Rodgers to fill in for Tyler on the road while the frontman works on “Brand Tyler.”

Miller has asked for a February 9th meeting to discuss the future of Aerosmith with all five members of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame band and asserted that their public singer search constitutes “acts and conduct to the harm and detriment of your own client, Aerosmith, and our client who is one of its members.”

[From Rolling Stone]

Look. Aerosmith was a great band once upon a time. They wrote some timeless songs, and they made a crapload of money. I’d rather see the band break up than hire someone like Billy Idol to come in and sing “Dream On.” Are you kidding me? I say, let Steven Tyler get his head together, and if they all still feel like playing together, great. If not, then kiss Aerosmith good night and move on. Not to feed Tyler’s ego or anything, but he’s absolutely right. Aerosmith isn’t Aerosmith without him- just like Queen wasn’t Queen without Freddie Mercury.

Steven Tyler in New York on November 9, 2009, and in Vegas on July 24, 2009. Credit: WENN.

It sure was a weird, drama-packed year for the band Aerosmith, but it looks like their number one problem may be on the mend. Front man Steven Tyler has entered a rehab facility after months of bizarre, back-and-forth behavior that left his band mates wondering if the ride was over for good.

Steven Tyler needs more than time to get healthy.

The Aerosmith frontman has checked into rehab for the second time in as many years, again to address chronic pain he suffers from all the wear and tear that rocking out has caused him over the years.

“With the help of my family and team of medical professionals, I am taking responsibility for the management of my pain and am eager to be back on the stage and in the recording studio with my bandmates Joe Perry, Joey Kramer, Tom Hamilton and Brad Whitford,” Tyler said in a statement.

“I love Aerosmith; I love performing as the lead singer in Aerosmith,” he adds. “I am grateful for all of the support and love I am receiving and am committed to getting things taken care of.”

It’s a good thing the band didn’t really break up then.

[From E!Online]

If you recall, Tyler fell off the stage during a concert and broke his shoulder last August. His subsequent bizarre behavior after that injury was likely due to prescription painkillers he was on during his recovery. A couple of years ago, Tyler injured his foot and went through the same thing. Back in November, Tyler’s bandmates showed him a little tough love when they went public with his behind-the-scenes antics, including his threat to quit the band and go solo.

Tyler’s daughter, actress Liv Tyler, told People Magazine: “My family and I are in complete support of my dad’s decision to seek treatment. He is a courageous man. We love him and are so proud that he is getting help to balance his pain management, not just for himself but for his family, friends and fans.”

It looks like public expression of concern was exactly what Steven needed to wake up and start taking care of himself. Spending Christmas in rehab doesn’t sound like much fun, but in this case, it was seriously needed. Get well, Steven!

It’s been a crazy couple of weeks for Aerosmith. First, according to Joe Perry, the members of the band find out via the Internet that frontman Steven Tyler is quitting. Then, Perry made public overtures of replacing the iconic singer, only to have Tyler show up unexpectedly at Perry’s gig, sing one song, declare himself still in the band and leave without another word. As if that wasn’t enough drama, Tyler later stated via his Twitter account that he was taking two years off from the band to focus on his own projects, “definitely ‘Brand Tyler.’” So, what the heck in going on?

As Steven Tyler’s bandmates ponder the future now that he has decided to take a two-year break from Aerosmith, they are also expressing concerns about the singer’s well-being.

“I think that he needs help and that attention needs to be put to his health,” drummer Joey Kramer tells PEOPLE.

And Kramer says he isn’t referring to the broken shoulder Tyler sustained when he fell off the stage during a concert in August.

Asked if he thinks there is something else going on with Tyler, he says, “I do.”

Recent reports in the Boston Herald and online suggest Tyler, who battled drug addiction in the ’70s and ’80s and checked into a rehab center last year to detox from painkillers, may be partying again.

Though Kramer would not say whether he has seen Tyler use drugs recently, he says he is concerned because the singer has “isolated himself.”

Says Kramer, “He’s got some bad influences in his life right now and he’s making poor choices.”

Aerosmith guitarist Brad Whitford tells PEOPLE, “His behavior is spinning out of control.”

Tyler’s bandmates say they haven’t spoken to him in weeks, but last Tuesday, he unexpectedly showed up at a concert given by Joe Perry. Tyler performed one song with Perry, then took off without saying goodbye.

“I don’t know where he is and what he’s doing,” says Whitford, who admits he, too, is “concerned about [Tyler's] well-being and his health.”

Cancellations Galore
Though the band had been touring earlier this year, Whitford says that Tyler’s behavior has been “erratic” and “unpredictable.” He notes, “It wasn’t an overnight change. It’s been progressively getting out of hand.”

The result? “Loads of cancellations, canceled tours, and canceled dates,” says Whitford.

For his part, the singer has said he wants to focus on his own brand and possibly record a solo album; he is also working on a memoir. In an August interview with Rolling Stone, he maintained he was not on drugs and said he was “as sober as can be” when he fell off the stage.

On Monday night, he was spotted at The Pump Energy Food in New York City, where he ordered a fresh-squeezed juice made of carrots, beets and ginger. The following night, he attended a John Mayer concert with girlfriend Erin Brady. “Steven was having fun, getting into John’s music, and loving the attention from his fans,” says a source.

A rep for Tyler says, “He’s concentrating on his book right now while his shoulder heals.”

Meanwhile, Kramer, Whitford and bandmates Joe Perry and Tom Hamilton are considering looking for a new lead singer.

“It’s hard for me to imagine getting on stage without Steven,” says Kramer, who hopes that Tyler will rejoin them in the future. “He needs to take care of his health first and get help in order for there to be a future for an Aerosmith that includes him.”

[From People]

Earlier this year, Tyler’s daughter Liv hinted that her dad was in a bad place. “In the past few years we haven’t been very close,” she said. “He has been going through a lot of things on his own and he has not been the… he hasn’t been around that much for us. So that’s been hard.” For a former addict, pushing away friends and family can often be a sign that they’re in trouble. Steven may be able to hide it from the public, but his bandmates and family know him best- if they’re saying they’re concerned, it’s most likely with good reason. My opinion? Aerosmith without Tyler isn’t Aerosmith. Period. If he doesn’t want to be in the band anymore, or needs time off, so be it. Replacing him with a substitute front man is a lousy idea.

Steven Tyler is shown at the Glamour Woman of the Year Awards on 11/9/09. Credit: WENN.com

Steven Tyler is famous for being a rock legend with the band Aerosmith. His daughter Liv Tyler is famous for being one of the most beautiful actresses in Hollywood.

Steven’s other daughter, Mia Tyler, 29, is famous for being, well, Steven Tyler’s other daughter. And for being a “plus-sized” model.

A cliche rock and rock childhood
In her new memoir, Mia talks about an admittedly cliche rock-n-roll upbringing of drugs and rehab, all before the age of 21. She also details her climb from that darkness in the book Creating Myself, released in August. The subtitle is How I Learned that Beauty Comes in All Shapes, Sizes and Packages, Including Me. The former English teacher in me would red-pen the heck out of that subtitle. Does “me” refer to “shapes,” “packages,” “beauty,” or that she learned it comes in all shapes?

Troubled teen years full of drugs, booze, and self-harming
Now drug-free at age 29, Mia says she was the “black sheep” of her family during her teen years, indulging in heavy drinking, drugs and self-mutilation. She told People, “I was a high school dropout, my relationship with my mom was bad — every cliche you could think of.”

Mia divorced Papa Roach drummer Dave Buckner in 2005 and recently separated from fiance Brian Harrah, also a musician. She calls the relationship with Harrah “dramatic,” but adds that “He’s an amazing guy, but I’m just not in any position right now to be a wife.”

She now lives in LA, enjoying single life with her cat Duders and Chihuahuas Teddy and Diva.

Dad Steven, still fierce at age 60, says he couldn’t be more proud of Mia. Steven had his own experiences with drug over-indulgence at the height of Aerosmith’s fame in the 1970s.

Mia’s past troubles are also providing her with the voice of experience, helping half-sister Liv, age 31, through her separation and divorce from musician Royston Langdon. Mia says she and Liv “are very silly” together.

Why did Mia’s downward spiral start so young? Her parents divorced when she was eight, and her mother, former model Cyrinda Foxe, reportedly left vials of cocaine around their New Hampshire home and left Mia alone while she went out partying. Foxe died in 2002 from brain cancer.

Calls dad Steven Tyler a stabilizing force
Her childhood must have been crazy, since Mia lists Steven Tyler as her one stabilizing force, making regular visits to take her for walks in the woods. “I wanted to soak up every second,” she says. “When he was around, I would just light up.”

Her drug use started with marijuana then moved to ecstasy and acid. By age 16, People says Mia carried cocaine around with her in juiceboxes and took hits through the straw. She also began cutting herself, first with a makeup compact, then with knives and razors.

It’s about finding a friend. I could always rely on cocaine and the same thing goes for cutting….You want to find that first initial high. You’re in love with your addictions, and they can’t say no to you. So you have to find out how to say no to them.

[From People, print edition, September 8, 2008]

Rehab helped her clean up for good; mother’s death helped her let go
It was dad Steven who sent Mia to Promises in Malibu in 1998, after Mia called him in a drug-fueled haze. She credits her father for helping her get clean. Steven was known as one of the “Toxic Twins” in the 1970s and recently went to rehab again to recuperate from “foot injuries.”

After rehab, Mia began working as a plus-sized model for companies like Lane Bryant and H&M. She also reconciled with her mother. When Cyrinda Foxe died at the age of 50 in 2002, Mia let her childhood pain go too.

I used to say, “When I grow up, I’m gonna sit my dad down and say all these things that I always questioned….But I put that stuff to rest when we put her to rest. You get older and realize those things that don’t matter anymore.

[From People, print edition, September 8, 2008]

Being a proud plus-sized model has been her claim to fame, but she recently lost 30 lbs from her 5’7”, 224-pound frame by going vegan and working with a trainer.

Her MySpace page has 45,000 friends who talk about serious issues like body image and depression.

The book itself isn’t garnering good reviews. Publishers Weekly says, “Tyler, constantly falling in and out of love, finally realized that the point wasn’t to find herself, but to create herself, a questionable insight. Not only that, she comes across as spoiled and shallow.”

My only view of Mia comes from her stint on the first season of Celebrity Fit Club, which originally aired in 2005. They show reruns constantly on the TV Guide Channel. She seemed very defiant, brash, and full of excuses, which was a serious contrast to my view of her sister Liv, who seems very sweet and down-to-earth.

Mia Tyler is shown on 4/27/07 in Las Vegas with her dad, Steven Tyler. Credit: WENN