14 DAY TRIAL // Irish actor Jonathan Rhys Meyers, known for his role on TV series “The Tudors” and the newer (but canceled) “Dracula,” has been struggling with addiction to drugs and alcohol since about 2005. He already counts several stints in rehab and just as many highly publicized and heartbreaking relapses.
Earlier this month, he was photographed out and about London (see the pic attached) looking completely intoxicated. He was disheveled and was pouring vodka into the bottle’s cap, drinking it on the street.
He’s now saying this was just a “minor relapse,” nothing to worry about.
Meyers apologizes, plays it down
Meyers isn’t an established presence on social media, but he’s often featured on the Instagram and Twitter of his fiancée Mara Lane. It is here that he’s addressing the newest batch of photos and apologizing for what he deems a mere “blip on [his] road to recovery.”
“I apologize for having a minor relapse and hope that people don't think too badly of me,” Jonathan says. “I stopped drinking immediately and it is no reflection on Damascus Cover as I was not meant to attend Cannes this year and I apologize to fans and colleagues. I am on the mend and thank well wishers and sorry for my disheveled appearance as I was on my way home from a friends and had not changed I feel I made a mistake and feel quite embarrassed but this was just a blip in my recovery otherwise I'm living a healthy life.”
He’s obviously trying to play the incident down because of the movie he has coming out, “Damascus Cover,” whose press tour would only stand to suffer if he didn’t address his “minor relapse.”
However, his story that he was on his way home, which would explain his disheveled appearance, doesn’t click with what eyewitnesses told the media at the time: Meyers was drunk and he headed into a grocery store trying to buy vodka.
His fly was open and his clothes were stained, but it was his advanced state that initially determined someone from the store to refuse to sell him more drink. In the end, after some bargaining, he left with two bottles, one of which he opened right outside.
A long history of addiction, great potential
Be that as it may, his fans are hoping this relapse was as minor as he’s trying to make it sound. Meyers might not be a huge, mainstream name in film (yet) but he’s a very talented young actor who could have a great career if he got his addiction under control.
He’s been in rehab several times between 2005 and 2010, and was arrested a couple of times for public intoxication. He’s never been anything but open about his demons, which he attributes to having had a very difficult childhood.
Meyers has 2 other movies listed as opening in 2015, in addition to “Damascus Cover,” “Stonewall” and “Byrd and the Bees.”
Wishing you a lovely day and rest of week. With Love, J&M A photo posted by Mara Lane (@thelionandthelambchop) on May 26, 2015 at 8:57am PDT
Mara and I are thankful for your support and kindness during this time. I apologize for having a minor relapse and hope that people don't think too badly of me. I stopped drinking immediately and it is no reflection on Damascus Cover as I was not meant to attend Cannes this year and I apologize to fans and colleagues. I am on the mend and thank well wishers and sorry for my disheveled appearance as I was on my way home from a friends and had not changed I feel I made a mistake and feel quite embarrassed but this was just a blip in my recovery otherwise I'm living a healthy life. Love and blessings. #Rebel #Angel A photo posted by Mara Lane (@thelionandthelambchop) on May 26, 2015 at 3:07am PDT