Access Investigates: Young, Rich, Famous & A Mess

By Access HollywoodFebruary 15, 2008, 2:54 pm PST

Mischa Barton was busted for DUI… Lindsay Lohan was arrested twice… Nicole Richie was sentenced to jail… Paris Hilton served 23 days in jail… Eva Mendes is in rehab… Kristen Dunst was in rehab with Eva - what do all these women have in common? They are young, rich, famous… and a mess - Access investigates this troubling celebrity epidemic.

"You become more and more isolated as a human being in the world," Dunst once told Access of fame.

[ Lindsay Lohan Celebrates Fendi Boutique Opening - Watch the Video ]

Perhaps those feelings of isolation, from living in a celebrity bubble played a role in why 25-year-old Kristen Dunst checked into Utah's famed Cirque Lodge on February 7.

The rehab of choice for celebs, Lindsay Lohan spent two months there. Now, Dunst is seeking treatment alongside another young Hollywood star, Eva Mendes.

[ Paris Hilton - View the Gallery ]

Showing no signs of distress in December, Eva surprised us all when she checked into the Utah facility.

"I always thought she had it together. She was successful, she wasn't always in the magazines," entertainment blogger Perez Hilton commented.

[ All Access: Lindsay Lohan ]

Perez has seen first hand this darker side of Hollywood, making his living off of partying with, and posting about, the stars.

Perez believes troubled Hollywood is nothing new, but because the paparazzi document almost every misstep now, it's all uploaded online before damage control is done.

[ Access Exclusive: Nicole Richie, Part 3 - Watch the Video ]

"Ten, 15, 20 years ago, publicists and the mainstream Hollywood machine had a lot more time to cover things, up," he said.

That's why Mischa Barton owned up to her December DUI arrest. She candidly told Access Hollywood's Tony Potts about her regrets and why she's publicly speaking out.

[ Paris Hilton - View the Gallery ]

"I did feel bad about what happened and it was a low point for me," Mischa said.

But perhaps the most sensational downward spiral ever would be that of Britney Spears.

A bi-polar condition is being blamed for Britney's erratic behavior and according to psychiatrist Dr. Jeff Gardere, certain factors may predispose celebs to that kind of self-destructive cycle.

"Many of these celebrities do have their own personal issues," he explained. "They feel insecure, they may have some issues with depression - they open themselves up to chemical addictions and alcohol abuse, perhaps even eating disorders and again they're surrounded by the 'Yes' people who wont tell them, 'You really need help.'"

But, according to Perez, for some celebs, there's a simpler explanation.

"Sometimes being a bad girl is good for business," he said.

Prime example? Paris Hilton. Locked up for 23-days, when the ex-con was excused in June, she created the convict catwalk.

In a stark contrast to Paris' jailhouse exit, her 18-year-old brother, Barron Hilton, hid his face under a jacket after his own DUI arrest on Tuesday.

Lindsay Lohan definitely had to learn her lessons this past year. She went to rehab three times, was arrested twice and even served time in jail.

"She's made a lot of foolish mistakes, but that's not because she's stupid. It's because she's an addict. And she will always be an addict," Perez said.

Nicole Richie served her jail sentence for a DUI and she revealed to Access' Billy Bush that when she found out she was expecting her daughter Harlow - with boyfriend Joel Madden, that was all the rehab she needed.

"I realized that I have a big responsibility and it is time for me to make some changes," she said.

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comments

comments 1-10 of 19  | newest | < newer | older > | oldest
  • sweet momma
    i Think that these gals are a bunch of helpless and lifeless bruts and thats why they do all they do...But whats the hussle all about........Life is life any way and its theirs.but do we say??Let them live it the way they like even if they want to run naked across River Nile...Let them do so.After all its their resources which bail them out,.That is all true.so for all that we care.let em live
    report abuseposted April 10, 2008, 7:23 am PDT
  • Stacye
    Harshtruths honey I would much rather go thru rehab myself that listen to this.... I respect your religion, i do but please dont force it upon us. All "our " gods are with her... and my opinion of god is" you should never FEAR GOD".... Im sorry , I was raised Catholic, and GOD is not to ever be feared!!! Strange coming from a Catholic, huh?? God l
    report abuseposted February 18, 2008, 5:12 pm PST
  • Ross m
    In the 1930s and 1940s if one of MGM's actors did not have his or her name in the papers for any length of time Meyer would call the gossip press himself and simply make up scandals about them, just for the publicity. It always worked. There is nothing new here.
    report abuseposted February 18, 2008, 6:58 am PST
  • Allison O
    god, or whatever it is you want to call it, wouldn't help these guys. a nice slap to the face and 5 years in a shack in the middle of bfe might though. they're screwed up because it keeps them in the spotlight. we're all suckers for it.
    report abuseposted February 17, 2008, 7:51 pm PST
  • Harshtruths
    the 'real' reason why this so-called stars have problems is because THEY DON'T SERVE JEHOVAH GOD, they don't go to church, they will rather go to all-night parties everyday. they don't have the fear of God and that is why they desecrate the temple of God(their bodies) by using all sorts of drugs and having uncontrollable sex with everything stick that comes
    report abuseposted February 17, 2008, 5:26 pm PST
  • NOCOMMENT
    paparrazi exist cuz of the demand to know the famous stars and thiers personal lives. if they really did value something they would do something to help maitain it. others manage to be famous and stay out of the tabloids. these kids just lack any sense of that. they want the effect while running away from the cause. it a learning phase for the rich kids untill then the tabloids will selling.
    report abuseposted February 17, 2008, 2:47 pm PST
  • NOCOMMENT
    paparrazi exist because we want to know what famous ppl are doing in thiers own personal lives. that is why so many know so much about these rich girls. what i trying to say is if they have something of value they will do what ever to maintain it and keep it. others smart stars manage to do it. these girl are still learning it. all they want is the effect and to run a way from the cause.
    report abuseposted February 17, 2008, 2:36 pm PST
  • Stacye
    proventer You dont think these girls, people, earn their money??? Do you realize that most these actors work 12- 16 hours a day??? I cant even imagine. Yes the money is good.... but not getting started. Look thier lives are awesome, according to us.... but we trade our privacy ,our lives etc... I wouldnt want it... I really wouldnt!! Look at the tabloids, would you want that?
    report abuseposted February 17, 2008, 1:49 pm PST
  • krazy
    nobody is perfect!! SHUT the fck UP
    report abuseposted February 17, 2008, 1:11 pm PST
  • NOCOMMENT
    if u have something u never earn you don't value it. those girls are the prime example of that saying. wonder if they ever have to work hard? or earn anything of personal value?
    report abuseposted February 17, 2008, 12:58 pm PST
comments 1-10 of 19  | newest | < newer | older > | oldest

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