In my opinion, it seems that the artistic and performance contributions of teenage heartthrob Leif Garrett are not adequately recognized. He warranted greater acknowledgment!
Across his journey, the one-time teen idol faced significant triumphs and setbacks. Unfortunately, his pursuit of highs through drug addiction, employed as a coping mechanism, ultimately led to the decline of his career…
Before observing him in his current state at 61, it might be advisable to brace yourself.
He was quite the heartthrob… Leif Garrett began his career as a child actor, and in the 1970s, he captured the admiration of young women when he transitioned to become a musician.
According to my mom, during trips to the grocery store with her parents, Leif’s face graced the covers of various teen magazines at the checkout lanes, causing a stir among fans.
The American singer-actor, born in Hollywood, California, made his debut at the age of 5 in the 1969 movie “Bob & Carol & Ted & Alice,” which ranked as the sixth highest-grossing film of the year.
Following this, the dreamy-eyed, blond heartthrob starred in the film “Walking Tall” and its two sequels. In 1983, he joined other teen heartthrobs, such as Matt Dillon, C. Thomas Howell, Patrick Swayze, and Tom Cruise, in Francis Ford Coppola’s “The Outsiders.”
Some may also recognize him from his roles in TV series like “Family,” “The Odd Couple” (1974), “Wonder Woman” (1978), and “CHiPs” (1979).
In 1977, he launched his inaugural album, “Leif Garret,” causing a fan frenzy with covers of popular songs such as “The Wanderer” (Dion), “Surfin’ USA” (The Beach Boys), and Paul Anka’s “Put Your Head on My Shoulder.”
At the peak of his success, Garrett, with his blond, unkempt hair, toured globally, eliciting ecstatic reactions from his predominantly young female fans.
“I was on a public appearance tour in Sydney, Australia, and they had to fly me in by helicopter. Then, I jumped into an armored car and drove into the theater through the back door. I’ve tried using a limo there before, but the fans almost tipped it over. I guess it’s an adrenaline rush for them. They just freak out. It’s very strange,” Garrett shared with New York Daily News in 1979.
Despite his music nearing the top of the charts, he grappled with management issues that made him feel like an “impostor.” The transition to adulthood posed another challenge for Garrett.
“I believe I was a good performer from the start, but I wish they had offered me singing lessons before making a record and engaging in the typical practice of punching in a sentence here or there or words or whatever,” Garrett stated in an interview.
“There’s a particular track (‘I Was Looking for Someone to Love’) that doesn’t even sound like me at all. I would even possibly say I wasn’t even on that track. And to me, that IS fraud. That’s like a Milli Vanilli situation, the difference being, of course, mine was blended many times with myself and somebody else.”
In 1979, Garrett’s career took a nosedive when, under the influence of alcohol and drugs, he crashed a car, sending it rolling down a hillside in North Hollywood. This tragic incident left his close friend Ronald Winkler paralyzed.
However, Garrett’s life took a further negative turn. In 1980, during what he describes as “the pinnacle of pinup fame,” he indulged in a lifestyle of sex, drugs, and rock and roll alongside the iconic Queen frontman, Freddie Mercury. This period coincided with the recording of Queen’s highly successful album “The Game,” featuring hits like “Crazy Little Thing Called Love” and “Another One Bites the Dust.” Garrett formed a friendship with the band, experiencing the real rock star life complete with girls and drugs.
Reflecting on this tumultuous time in an interview with Fox for the release of his memoir, “Idol Truth,” Garrett admitted, “I don’t think I was a very mature 16-year-old. I became mature very quickly because I was always surrounded by adults who were drinking and doing coke. I was a child, but being treated as an adult… And all of this was coming out of my pocket.”
He continued, “You know, I probably have the greatest fan base that I could ever imagine for myself. They have stuck with me through thick and thin. And as you know, I’ve gotten myself in plenty of bad situations. There was a lot of bad decision-making. But at the same time, I didn’t have the parental guidance that I should have at that time.”
Garrett has accumulated a lengthy list of charges, including dropping out of rehabilitation and encountering various legal issues. These incidents involved attempting to purchase drugs from undercover police and concealing heroin in his shoe.
Despite earnest attempts to rebuild his life and career, Garrett eventually regressed into his old habits. Due to his comical encounters with the law, Garrett was chosen to provide commentary on the comedy show “World’s Dumbest,” which highlights the antics of “most amazingly stupid” criminals.
The program also featured other celebrities known for their personal misadventures, such as Todd Bridges, Tonya Harding, Gary Busey, and Danny Bonaduce.
Subsequently, Garrett secured a prominent role on VH1’s “Celebrity Rehab with Dr. Drew,” a show he initially resisted participating in. Garrett accused the show of inducing a relapse for dramatic effect, a claim vehemently denied by VH1.
In an interview the LA Times, Garrett said: “They asked to get some footage of me using, and I said, ‘I haven’t been using. They said, ‘We really have to get footage of you using.’ Anyway, I was easily talked into showing them.”
When a counselor with the production called him out, suggesting he was still using, Garrett walked off the show saying: “This is insanity and quite honestly I don’t appreciate it.”
At 80, Martha Stewart Breaks the Internet with Swimsuit Shot—Find Out Why She’s Still a Farm Queen
Martha Stewart, a well-known homemaker, is changing how we think about aging by confidently posing for swimsuit photoshoots in her eighties. At the same time, she happily embraces being a grandmother and enjoys the peaceful life on her farm.
When Martha posed for a swimsuit shoot, it caused quite a stir on social media, with many different opinions shared. But away from the spotlight of Hollywood, she finds joy in being with her grandchildren and appreciates the simple pleasures of farm life.
Martha made headlines in May 2023 when she appeared on the cover of Sports Illustrated at 81 years old, showing a new view of aging. The photoshoot highlighted elegance and confidence in later life.
In one photo, she relaxed on a fancy sofa surrounded by lush greenery and stylish decor, showing a sense of calm and glamour. Another image featured her in a chic silver swimsuit and large sunglasses, with a joyful look on her face. In another shot, she wore a bold red dress against a stone background, smiling confidently.
Martha’s Sports Illustrated cover sparked many reactions online, with some people criticizing her looks and the way the photos were presented. One person said, “Grow up…you look absurd,” while another commented on her legs, calling them “chicken legs.” Others joined in, saying things like, “OMG Give it up old woman. I can’t stand her.” Some comments questioned the editing of the photos, with one person saying, “The airbrushing makes her look 30 years old. If she’s so proud of being 81, then show your real face!”
Comments also critiqued her styling, with one user saying, “Pull that press-on wig, Martha!!! Hey, whatever floats her boat!” Others were short and direct, with one saying, “I cannot unsee this,” and another expressing, “Shame on her. Exploiting humans is the opposite of what a cook does.”
Even with the mixed feedback, Martha’s personal life shows she has a strong family bond. She often spends time with her grandchildren, Jude and Truman, who are her daughter Alexis’s kids. Martha enjoys hosting special events for them, including themed birthday parties and holiday meals at her farm.
The farm is a special place for Jude and Truman, where they enjoy picking vegetables and feeding animals. Martha once shared that the kids said a day working on the farm was “perhaps the best day so far.”
Martha’s 152-acre farm in Katonah, New York, known as “Bedford Farm” or “Cantitoe Corners,” has been her home since 2000. She has made it into a retreat with a horse farm, guesthouses, greenhouses, flower gardens, and a chef’s kitchen, blending rustic charm with modern luxury.
The farm’s layout is well-organized, featuring a central farmhouse, trimmed hedges, and stone pathways. This careful design reflects the attention she gave to her first famous home, Turkey Hill. She bought this Connecticut farmhouse in 1973 for $46,000 with her then-husband Andrew, which became the base of her brand.
Over time, she transformed the early 19th-century, three-bedroom house on four acres into a five-bedroom, 6,710-square-foot home. She sold Turkey Hill in 2007 for $6.7 million, making it a symbol of her early success.
Martha’s farm also includes a specially designed greenhouse where she can enjoy fresh produce year-round. Located behind her equipment barn, the mostly glass structure captures sunlight with programmable windows for ventilation and cooling, minimizing the need for artificial heating.
Inside, the greenhouse features 16 wooden garden boxes that promote healthy plant growth by improving drainage and preventing soil compaction. Each box is labeled with watering instructions for easy plant care. Martha grows various cold-hardy vegetables, like root crops and brassicas, which thrive in winter.
She also uses grow lights that mimic natural sunlight, ensuring plants get the light they need for growth. Built-in fans keep air moving, creating an ideal environment for year-round gardening.
Martha’s commitment to her farm and greenhouse shows her love for sustainable practices and fresh, homegrown ingredients. From her famous Turkey Hill home to her carefully tended greenhouse, she has created spaces that reflect her passion for nature and design, along with her belief in purposeful living.
Every part of her property, from the raised garden beds to the greenhouse, shows her hands-on approach and love for beauty and practicality. Through these efforts, Martha inspires others to connect thoughtfully with the land, bringing nourishment and joy throughout the year.
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