A lot of things have been said about unigloved pop deity Michael Jackson, but so far the only person to accuse him publicly of getting high is the moonwalker himself. Last Friday night the singer released a statement in which he announced the cancellation of the remainder of his world tour, saying that his use of unspecified “painkillers” had become an addiction. “It is time for me to acknowledge my need for treatment in order to regain my health,” said the singer, who explained that the medication had been prescribed following a procedure to repair his scalp after his coif burst into flames while filming a Pepsi ad.
Jackson attributed his voracious drug hunger in part to a 13-year-old boy’s accusation that the star sexually abused him. “The pressure resulting from these false allegations coupled with the incredible energy necessary for me to perform caused so much distress that it left me physically and emotionally exhausted,” he said. The boy has filed a civil suit against Jackson, and police are continuing a criminal probe, though no charges have been filed. The pop wizard, who had been slated to perform in Puerto Rico, hasn’t returned to U.S. territory since the allegations surfaced; he may or may not set foot on American soil any time soon. Unconfirmed reports placed him on his way to Switzerland after the announcement, perhaps to the villa of longtime friend and confidante Elizabeth Taylor, who had joined Jackson in Mexico City earlier in the week. No word on where he’ll seek treatment, but they’re probably scrubbing the place already. Remember, this is a guy reputed to have a nearly pathological fear of germs.
Recently deceased actor River Phoenix was also a renowned health freak. Said to be a vegetarian who didn’t drink or smoke, Phoenix collapsed into convulsions early Halloween morning outside the Viper Room, an L.A. club owned in part by fellow rebellious young actor Johnny Depp. He died soon after. Autopsy results released last week revealed that the actor had just about everything but red meat in his body the night he passed away. The coroner chalked up Phoenix’s death to “acute multiple drug intoxication” and reported that tests turned up lethal doses of morphine and cocaine, as well as traces of Valium, marijuana and an over-the-counter cold remedy. Evidently trick or treating isn’t what it used to be.
