Saturday, 7 October 2006

• Prev
• Next

Black Eyed Peas' Fergie: I was addicted to crystal meth

The stunning singer beat drug problem to become huge success

For Stacy Ferguson – aka Fergie from the Black Eyed Peas – life is good. She's just released a debut solo album called The Dutchess and her relationship with actor boyfriend, Las Vegas star Josh Duhamel, is strong.

But five years ago, things weren't going quite so well. While a member of female pop group Wild Orchid, she experimented with Ecstasy and then got hooked on crystal meth.

'[Drugs] became my new creative outlet,' 31-year-old Fergie tells People magazine.

When her weight dropped to 6st, she blamed her appearance on bulimia but eventually admitted the truth to her band-mates and give up drugs. Hypnotherapy helped her recovery and she stayed at her mum's house for support.

'I stopped cold turkey and came clean with everybody,' she says. 'My mom wanted to save me life. It was like starting from scratch.'

Louise Cooper