Star Magazine claims that plastic surgery victim Tara Reid had her rehab stay at Promises completely comped by the facility in a publicity attempt. According to Star, Promises hasn’t had a high profile client in some time and put the word out that someone could stay in their plush facility for free in exchange for a press release. With an on-site gym, jacuzzi, pools, and gourmet chef it’s more like staying at a high end spa and Tara probably welcomed the all expenses paid sober vacation. That’s not to say she didn’t need it though:
Star has learned that [Tara Reid] got an offer she couldn’t refuse – a free ride at Promises treatment center in Malibu!
“Enrollment is down due to the bad economy, so in an effort to drum up publicity, they asked around Hollywood to see who wanted to stay there for free,” says a source. Promises, which costs about $1,600 a night and has treated such celebs as Lindsay Lohan and Britney Spears, is giving Tara the VIP treatment. The 33 year-old gets to stay in a large room, and her incoming packages are not searched, like other guests.
[From Star Magazine, print edition, January 5, 2008]
In Touch has a “Rehab Exposé” story this week that relies heavily on quotes from Brandon Davis about how cushy rehab can be for celebrities, and how they’re given special treatment not afforded the other rehab attendees. They quote Tara’s rep as saying that her super expensive stay at Promises was paid for by her parents and there’s no mention of it being comped. According to Wikipedia, Tara is from Wyckoff, New Jersey, an affluent suburb. Her parents are teachers who own a day care center. It’s possible they’re wealthy if they run a large and/or exclusive day care.
Whoever paid for Tara’s rehab, the important part is that she’s getting sober. If she had some encouragement and the whole thing was an arranged publicity stunt then at least she took the bait and is working on conquering her addictions.
Update: Promises denies comping Tara’s rehab stay and has issued a statement to TMZ that:
“The suggestion that Promises would search Hollywood for a celebrity who needs rehab in an effort to garner publicity is libelous, offensive and without merit.”
[From TMZ]
Tara Reid is shown out on LA on 10/9/08. Credit: WENN
You are assuming she’s there to get sober. If her stuff isn’t searched and she’s there for the publicity/free aspect, she could be enjoying a very nice vacation and not working on sobriety at all.
Why is this news? Companies give celebs freebies all the time. Why should they be any different?
Do they really need the publicity? That place has a revolving door which is constantly kept spinning by these second rate D-list celebs.
I can’t help myself, I LOVE that poor drunken wreck of a girl.
I don’t get it, if they wanted publicity, or someone famous, why would they pick this pathetic chic? I mean seriously, she is just one step from being Anna Nicole Smith, except Playboy wouldn’t give Tara the time of day.
That’s terrible. There are people literally DYING to get into rehab, people whose stays are cut short by their insurance coverage & this one gets to go for free? Not everyone that goes to rehab starts out with the intention of getting sober, but to give her a spa vacation for publicity? Way to go Promises! What do you do for the people that are there DYING of alcoholism & drug addiction? Put cucumber on their eyes?
I always thought “Promises” was a terrible name for a rehab center. It sounds like, “I PROMISE I’ll get sober, really truly this time!” Possibly a step up from naming it “Excuses”, but not much.
According to Star, Promises hasn’t had a high profile client in some time
I guess Lohan still hoovering like a shopvac isn’t the best endorsement for your centre LOL
@ Rio – too funny LOL
The unfortunate truth is that it’s the responsibility of the addict to get sober, not the facility. It really does not matter how strict/accepting they are, because you either want to get sober or you don’t. On another note, some addicts do not even need rehab and rehab does not even work on some people, so even if she were being comped, it does not take away from anyone else’s ability to handle their own addiction. I speak from first hand experience so disagree all you want. P.S. She does look healthier, I’ve always liked her too vdantev.
Agree completely it’s the responsibility of the addict to get sober but, if this story is true, for Promises to accept someone into their facility without the usual checks and guidelines suggests a very cynical approach to treatment and doesn’t say much for their credibility as a rehab centre. Anyway, wish her well, hope she manages to conquer her demons.
@Rio – “Excuses” – Brilliant! Love it.
trainwreck.
You know, for some reason I have a soft spot for this wench. Go figure, I have absolutely no reasonable explanation.
But I will say this: if she was able to negotiate a comp’d deal, then she wasn’t all that drunk to begin with….
I’m just sayin’!
I’m sure Tara’s “people” negotiated the deal, not Tara, herself. From what I’ve seen, she has the intellectual capacity of a dog turd.
Of course! Really Promises Rehab Center needs all of the PR it can get, because it obviously has not been effective in turning out successful members of society…It doesn’t appear to work. As for the other non-slightly famous regular people, your tuition will be raised to subsidize Ms. Reid’s stay.
i think tara reid is the hotest girl out thier i have been lustfull for her since i was 14 i am now 20