Fergie Talks Meth, Gang-Loving Past

By PopEater Staff Posted Oct 12th 2009 11:47AM

Fergie is hands down one of the most widely heard and popular female singers on the planet, but her druggie and gang-obsessing past almost sunk her career before it hit its stride. As famous as she is, there are aspects of the 34-year-old star's past that remain cloudy, thanks to years of tabloid swirl and rumors. In a revealing interview with The Sunday Times (UK), Fergie talks about how she went from child star to meth head, and the road that led her to stability and stardom with the Black Eyed Peas.

Growing up in the LA suburbs, Stacy Ann Ferguson was a chuch-going, straight-A student when she landed a gig on 'Kids Incorporated.' After five years of being a kid star, she left and later joined R&B pop girl group, Wild Orchid.

During her time with Orchid, she sunk into the ecstasy-gobbling underground club scene. "I had a blast, but those things can only last for so long. I'm actually lucky that I hit it as hard as I did because it took me to a place where I knew I never wanted to do it again."

It's been a decade since she "retired" following a 1-year period where she was drugging heavily.

"It started with ecstasy. I loved ecstasy. Loved it, loved it. It was great at first, then it just went ..." crashing down.

As for crystal meth: "It ruins you."

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Fergie Snapshots

Fergie hits up the Blackberry VIPeas party in Melbourne, Australia on Oct. 7. See more photos >>

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Fergie Snapshots

PERTH, AUSTRALIA - OCTOBER 09: Fergie of the Black Eyed Peas acknowledges a young fan from a vehicle after arriving at Perth Airport after the 'Mile High Club' In-Flight Karaoke gig on a Virgin Blue Flight from Melbourne to Perth on October 9, 2009 in Perth, Australia. (Photo by Paul Kane/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Fergie

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PERTH, AUSTRALIA - OCTOBER 09: Fergie of the Black Eyed Peas waves to fans after arriving at Perth Airport after the 'Mile High Club' In-Flight Karaoke gig on a Virgin Blue Flight from Melbourne to Perth on October 9, 2009 in Perth, Australia. (Photo by Paul Kane/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Fergie

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MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - OCTOBER 09: Taboo and Fergie of The Black Eyed Peas pose in front of an aeroplane before the 'Mile High Club' In-Flight Karaoke gig on a flight from Melbourne to Perth as part of the V Australia Mile High Club on October 9, 2009 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Scott Barbour/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Fergie;Taboo

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MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - OCTOBER 09: The Black Eyed Peas (L to R) will.i.am, apl.de.ap, Fergie and Taboo pose in front of an aeroplane before the 'Mile High Club' In-Flight Karaoke gig on a flight from Melbourne to Perth as part of the V Australia Mile High Club on October 9, 2009 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Scott Barbour/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** apl.de.ap;will.i.am;Fergie;Taboo

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MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - OCTOBER 09: The Black Eyed Peas (L to R) will.i.am, Fergie, apl.de.ap and Taboo pose in front of an aeroplane before the 'Mile High Club' In-Flight Karaoke gig on a flight from Melbourne to Perth as part of the V Australia Mile High Club on October 9, 2009 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Scott Barbour/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** apl.de.ap;will.i.am;Fergie;Taboo

Getty Images

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - OCTOBER 09: The Black Eyed Peas (L to R) will.i.am, Fergie and apl.de.ap pose in front of an aeroplane before the 'Mile High Club' In-Flight Karaoke gig on a flight from Melbourne to Perth as part of the V Australia Mile High Club on October 9, 2009 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Scott Barbour/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** apl.de.ap;will.i.am;Fergie

Getty Images

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - OCTOBER 09: William James Adams Jr aka will.i.am (L) and Stacy Ann Ferguson aka Fergie of the Black Eyed Peas pose in front of an aeroplane before the 'Mile High Club' In-Flight Karaoke gig on a flight from Melbourne to Perth as part of the V Australia Mile High Club on October 9, 2009 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Scott Barbour/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** William James Adams;Jr;will.i.am;Stacy Ann Ferguson;Fergie

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Paranoia and heightened anxiety are well-known effects of the drug. Fergie admits she became convinced the FBI was after her, so she blackened all the windows in her apartment. In one widely notorious event, she conversed with a hamper for several hours.

Other dangers existed too, like when a drug dealer held a gun to her head during a score gone wrong. "Yeah, that was crazy. Don't mess with East LA. Thank the Lord, I'm here."

All the while during her lost year, Fergie developed an obsession with Hispanic "Cholo" gang members.

"Oh yeah. It was very alluring, very romantic. Well, I romanticized it. I thought it was artistic." And the men? "I still think gangsters are cute."

But she decided that lifestyle was not what she wanted for her future.

"So I started becoming attracted to qualities that didn't involve guns and drugs and gangs. I changed my behavior through therapy and started becoming attracted to things like integrity and loyalty. Who would be a good father? Who would be a good husband?"

That "good husband" ended up being one of the cleanest cut men in Hollywood, Josh Duhamel. They married earlier this year.

Drugs, gangsters, guns and girls are in the past -- though she's resigned to the fact that she'll forever be judged for it all. "I'm trying to get a thicker skin. I like to be aware of people's perceptions of me, but when you put it as a priority, as a means to judging your worth, that's when it can be dangerous."

Tags: black eyed peas, BlackEyedPeas, Fergie, josh duhamel, JoshDuhamel, Stacy Ann Ferguson, StacyAnnFerguson, wild orchid, WildOrchid

Comments

(29)

Monday 12 October

By damien

Vote down Vote up Report this

If you dont wanna be judged by it then stop getting all wet for it..She still seems to be loving what she did

Wednesday 11 November

By bpeter3196

LOL And I suppose you are perfect and have never done anything wrong or bad in your whole life &/or that your kids havent either. Right or wrong good or bad its part of her life & who she is & help make her a better person because she learned the errors of that lifestyle so what's the probably. Strippers even hookers can be great parents. People hate hookers but think Julia Roberts was a great one & she built a career from that role yet that's ok? You're no better then anyone else.

By Anna

High Rank Vote down Vote up Report this

Fergie - we all have periods in our lives that we aren't proud of. You've lived through it and are wiser for it. Remember that intelligent people discuss ideas, regular people discuss events and ignorant people discuss other people. I feel it makes them feel superior. You are a wonderful person. Don't forget that, please :)

Oh yeah - your husband is cute. I remember watching him on AMC. He is a lucky man to have you. Your also lucky to have him. I think you and him make a great couple.

By Chris

Yes we all have periods in our life we aren't proud of. The only difference here is that it sounds like Fergie is damn proud of it. I wonder if Josh knew all of this before he took the leap.

Wednesday 04 November

By Nancy

Falling down helps you appreciate standing up much more. And it appears that her husband probably has some periods of bad judgement also.

LOL Growing up my friends especially those who didnt understand the lifestyle of clubs, drugs, being thug, and 'dangerous" always asked why I & most of my friends did those things. We did some crazy things and I had many friends who died or went to jail for even crazier things but in the end it's a period & chapter of our lives why worry deny or stress about it. Right or wrong good or bad its part of you just as much as an ex boyfriend or girlfriend why be ashamed of it. Should you be proud of it to each their own I'm not proud but when I hear about friends or people who didn't go through it then and thought I was crazy & how good everyone thought they were who later went through it themselves & much harder then myself or even fergie it reminds me of being glad I went through it when I did & got it out of my system. Single moms shouldnt be asshamed of how or why they have a kid or even that it didnt work. At some point we all must grow up & I feel bad for the 90% of guys but people in general who never grow up into their 80s or who go through the changes later in life because its more likely to have a larger more negative affect on you & those you care about then getting it out of your system while your young & nieve instead of a mother or father of 3 in a good job who's in a relationship their unhappy with & drink cheat or do drugs to get through it. We all make mistakes some worse then others but no one's perfect so start to accept that. I guarantee you that then and now even though I still listen to rap & were baggy clothes once people get to know me even knowing the craziness they still can't believe it but respect me no less.

By Grace-Anne

She doesn't want to be judged by her past. Then please tell me why she has to bring it up every year or so like it's something new she has never talked about? If she would just shut up and NOT bring attention to her drug-induced-gang-loving past no one would judge--or really care.

By ljsurf322

Highest Rank Vote down Vote up Report this

Just a thought - maybe she's trying to reach out to other people who have hit rock-bottom and are lost, to give them inspiration to improve?

Tuesday 13 October

By Kate

Well how many times have you mentioned or looked on your past Grace-ann?! Its a natural thing to look back on ones past many times and speak on it! Plus she's an artist so I imagine the question came up in an interview on her past! Perhaps the interviewer felt there may be more to the story! I wish people would stop being so judgmental of celebrities especially when doing it behind the comfort of your "CPU"!

And to you Chris! Should she be ashamed of her past?! I've had my time as well in my past and though there are periods I would perhaps change if I could I don't look back with regret or shame! I had my fun, paid some prices and learned a few lessons! Nothing one should be ashamed of! "Shame is a weapon to be used against you later"!

By Bonbon

Low Ranked Vote down Vote up Report this

She is so unattractive

By Gollywillikers?

HUH?

By sarah

aaaaaand there went my respect for her. Wow. I will never understand druggies and thugs. Or the people who find those dregs of society "cute."

By tulip

Lowest Rank Vote down Vote up Report this

Nothing left for her to do but a good porn movie. I'll tune in for sure. may i suggest meth before each scene.

By Cory

She was a Crank Whore, anyone who knows the story of Fergie, knows this... She also stated before she did the drugs to get out of Wild Orchid and now it seems she did them because she was depressed.?.?.!!! Not the only time she changed her story about her background. She was a doped out whore on her knees, sucking for that almighty meth she loved... Simple as that... Josh Duhamel better get checked out and tested regularly.

Also there is a good point and something I have said as well, she does keep bringing this up but if you notice her story is altered each time, she's in it fo the attention...

By infamous

SO does she want a medal or something?! oh wait better yet lets give her a record deal,make her rich and glorify her for being a real low life druggie! It sickenss me how our socity is so proud and eager to praise people who dont even dersevre what they have!! I mean on one hand if you gang bang or do drugs and your just a regular joe, your automatically looked down upon! while on the other hand, you sing or can somewhat act but yet snort coke and shoot up herion, your a star?!? its so sad at what we look up to now days, people like her, wtf is there to be proud of living that kind of life? well i guess its just how the world is...Parents listen up, take a page from this chick's book , if you want your kids to be famous and rich, tell them to join a gang do some drugs then sing about it and bam your american dream has come true!
PS i have seen alot celebs do so many drugs, its unbelivable while we have our dear troops fighting over there , you got the rich and famous supporting the ones there fighting remember that!!

This is for you infamous!!! FYI...not only celebrities do drugs and party and I don't recall the last time every famous and rich person got there by doing drugs, dating dealers, and just being bad! Also, stop acting like you are perfect! Again, step from behind the computer and speak all your "BS" people! Don't hide! You're all so brave when others don't know who you are

By Lil Snoopy Sur 13 por vida

Orale Josh how do I taste puto.

By Betty

too funny

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