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.
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
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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
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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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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
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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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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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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."
You people seriously need to look at her, as if she has good intentions, which I'm sure she does. She's telling everyone how she fell into a horrible state as a result of drugs and a bad environment, and how she USED to be. Now she is simply saying that she's much better and that she got out of it. She's inspiring other people to get their lives straight and realize what's best for them. NOT encouraging that kind of behavior. She DOES have a voice, and THAT's the reason why the record companies loved her. NOT because of her past. As for her attractiveness as some of you stated, that's your own personal opinion.
This is for Kate, well first off Kate no one is perfect, thats one thing! Also what rock have you been living under?? you must be stuck in some small town in the middle of no where, cause honey i have been around the rich and famous, trust me 95% of them do drugs or drink themselfs stupid..just cause you dont see it on tv doesnt mean its not going on! This is a forum, how am i trying to hide behind a computer?? how else would have seen the comments, is there a location where we can go and talk about this dumb chick?! if so let me know and ill meet you there to say it to your face if that will make you happy!! just let me know when and where sweety and ill make your dreams come true better yet get the fuk out of here with that bull "oh only behind a computer,will you say things like that"... trick please ill say whatever i feel like saying you dont like it move along, i voiced my opinion on the situation and i would say it to her face also if i met her in person, how can u respect people like that, sure she changed good for her but she sure seems happy about something not to be so proud of! Post your address or phone number lets see you shed some light on who YOU are, quit hiding behind a computer lol, doesnt that sound so lame and dumb?!? check yourself Kate
Also, I didn't see a mention of a name! I don't need to post my info because I am not sitting about being nasty about celebs/people I don't even know personally!
FYI Infamous! I have spent and continue to spend time with many levels of celebrity and a good percentage of them do not partake in party favors and if they do its their choice just as any regular person who is successful in their field!
Also, just set up a site called "I hate celebrities that do Drugs" with your name, picture and other info since you're so out and open!
do something positive with your time mate instead of spending it bashing people online
Your still here?! lol dude it doesnt take more then a couple of mins. to write this, so i dont know how am wasting time but anywho see you dont get it do you. It will be a waste of time, if i go and start up a website " I hate celebs. that do drugs" when i can go on here and say what i gatta say but i cant stand people like you who try to be the "rightous of the people" and try to protect someone else's image who wouldnt even lift a finger for you! Frankly i see you wasting your time going around forums and comment boards trying to prove people wrong or put in your 2 cents about someone else's comment, get a life and NO i dont want to MATE with you!!! lol i love how u guys throw that word in !!!
Fergie is a liar. She is making half this stuff up.
She screwed Wild Orchid over (her best friends since childhood) for fame. Ron Fair told her to leave Wild Orchid and he would get her in the BEP and she did just that.
There was little drugs and no gangs. She is making things up for attention
LOL First (Infamous)dude learn to spell & get at least a first grade education. then try proof reading & run spell checker on it before you post something especially if your going to give people a hard time for the very thing you do. How many times have you posted in this one forum alone?
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You people seriously need to look at her, as if she has good intentions, which I'm sure she does.
She's telling everyone how she fell into a horrible state as a result of drugs and a bad environment, and how she USED to be. Now she is simply saying that she's much better and that she got out of it. She's inspiring other people to get their lives straight and realize what's best for them. NOT encouraging that kind of behavior. She DOES have a voice, and THAT's the reason why the record companies loved her. NOT because of her past. As for her attractiveness as some of you stated, that's your own personal opinion.
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This is for Kate, well first off Kate no one is perfect, thats one thing! Also what rock have you been living under?? you must be stuck in some small town in the middle of no where, cause honey i have been around the rich and famous, trust me 95% of them do drugs or drink themselfs stupid..just cause you dont see it on tv doesnt mean its not going on! This is a forum, how am i trying to hide behind a computer?? how else would have seen the comments, is there a location where we can go and talk about this dumb chick?! if so let me know and ill meet you there to say it to your face if that will make you happy!! just let me know when and where sweety and ill make your dreams come true better yet get the fuk out of here with that bull "oh only behind a computer,will you say things like that"... trick please ill say whatever i feel like saying you dont like it move along, i voiced my opinion on the situation and i would say it to her face also if i met her in person, how can u respect people like that, sure she changed good for her but she sure seems happy about something not to be so proud of! Post your address or phone number lets see you shed some light on who YOU are, quit hiding behind a computer lol, doesnt that sound so lame and dumb?!? check yourself Kate
Reply
Also, I didn't see a mention of a name! I don't need to post my info because I am not sitting about being nasty about celebs/people I don't even know personally!
Do something positive with your time mate
FYI Infamous! I have spent and continue to spend time with many levels of celebrity and a good percentage of them do not partake in party favors and if they do its their choice just as any regular person who is successful in their field!
Also, just set up a site called "I hate celebrities that do Drugs" with your name, picture and other info since you're so out and open!
do something positive with your time mate instead of spending it bashing people online
http://ta.gg/3n2
http://ta.gg/3n2
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Your still here?! lol dude it doesnt take more then a couple of mins. to write this, so i dont know how am wasting time but anywho see you dont get it do you. It will be a waste of time, if i go and start up a website " I hate celebs. that do drugs" when i can go on here and say what i gatta say but i cant stand people like you who try to be the "rightous of the people" and try to protect someone else's image who wouldnt even lift a finger for you! Frankly i see you wasting your time going around forums and comment boards trying to prove people wrong or put in your 2 cents about someone else's comment, get a life and NO i dont want to MATE with you!!! lol i love how u guys throw that word in !!!
Reply
Fergie is a liar. She is making half this stuff up.
She screwed Wild Orchid over (her best friends since childhood) for fame. Ron Fair told her to leave Wild Orchid and he would get her in the BEP and she did just that.
There was little drugs and no gangs. She is making things up for attention
Reply
LOL First (Infamous)dude learn to spell & get at least a first grade education. then try proof reading & run spell checker on it before you post something especially if your going to give people a hard time for the very thing you do. How many times have you posted in this one forum alone?
Reply
Fergie was a man once right???
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