There’s a wave of sobriety among us. Various local and international celebrities are part of promoting this lifestyle choice – here are some of our favourites.
1. STEPHANIE NDLOVU
Actress and YouTuber Stephanie Ndlovu opened up about her sobriety journey in August 2023. At the time, she hadn’t consumed alcohol for four months due to health- and weight loss reasons. Considered “mature”, she started drinking at a young age with older cousins.
Her drinking then led to bingeing, hindering her progress. As a binge-drinker, Stephanie struggled with knowing her limits. Despite feeling a strong desire to drink in certain environments, the taste stopped being enjoyable after pregnancy, and she's been on the sober path ever since.
2. LUCY HALE
Pretty Little Liars star Lucy Hale has had a long journey to sobriety. The actress first encountered alcohol at 12, binged throughout her teens and 20s, often blacking out. Despite attempts to moderate her drinking and even attending rehab at 23, it wasn't until January 2022 that she finally committed to sobriety. Lucy dedicated Valentine’s Day in 2023 to celebrating a year of sobriety with a post on Instagram captioned, “Bear with me, this is an alternative Valentine’s Day post. This is a post about self-love and about the greatest thing I’ve ever done. On January 2 2023, I celebrated one year of sobriety.” Sobriety has brought her peace, and she now focuses on mental health advocacy.
3. LANA DEL REY
Despite the drug and alcohol references in her music, Lana Del Rey doesn't drink. “I knew it was a problem when I liked it more than I liked doing anything else,” she told GQ in an interview. She was sent to Kent boarding school in Connecticut to get sober, then went to rehab at 18. Lana eventually achieved sobriety before turning 20, then moved to New York to pursue music. She credits being sober as one of the reasons that she's been able to enjoy her career successes.
4. NINA HASTIE
Comedienne and TV presenter Nina Hastie recently reached 11 years of sobriety, a journey that began in October 2013. Nina has struggled with mental health issues since age 17, and has spoken openly about her experience with alcohol and drug abuse, undergoing treatments as well as dealing with misdiagnoses. Nina mentions that her survival depended on sorting out her drinking issue. She feels deep gratitude for the people who supported her during her struggles. Nina publicly shares her experience to destigmatise mental health issues and educate others about depression and how to support those affected by it.
5. JADA PINKETT SMITH
Jada Pinkett Smith grew up in a challenging neighbourhood in Baltimore where substance abuse was prevalent. Her mother struggled with addiction, which significantly impacted her upbringing. As a young adult, Jada developed a tolerance for alcohol, often drinking alone and excessively as a coping mechanism. Recognising the need for change, she made the difficult decision to quit cold turkey. Through her determination and perseverance, Jada has maintained sobriety for over 25 years.
6. NAOMI CAMPBELL
Naomi Campbell's illustrious modelling career has been intertwined with personal challenges. To cope with childhood trauma and the tragic loss of her friend and designer, Gianni Versace, she turned to alcohol as a coping mechanism. In 1999, Naomi sought professional help and entered rehab. While she has attended support groups and made strides in her recovery, the journey has been complex and at times fraught with difficulties, including incidents of anger management. Today, Naomi is sober and uses her experiences to support others who are struggling with addiction.
7. CHRISSY TEIGEN
Chrissy Teigen, who has been sober since July 2021, found inspiration in Holly Whitaker's book Quit Like A Woman: The Radical Choice To Not Drink In A Culture Obsessed With Alcohol. Her relationship with alcohol became problematic, with her drinking escalating from casual consumption to a point where she struggled to go without it. “I drank to end crazy anxiety that later mostly went away when I – get this –quit drinking!” she revealed in an Instagram post. Chrissy is motivated to stay sober by a desire for personal growth and a fuller quality of life.
8. ANNE HATHAWAY
Actress Anne Hathaway has been open about her journey to sobriety, which began over five years ago. Her decision was influenced by the negative impact alcohol had on her well- being, which she described as a “wallowing fuel”. The turning point came when she dropped her son off at school while feeling hungover, and that feeling persisted for
several days. Anne intends to remain sober until her child is out of the house, stating that her life is healthier and more fulfilling.
9. ANELE NDLOVU
Anele Ndlovu, founder of ‘The Tea with Anele Ndlovu”, is a mental health and sobriety advocate. After being retrenched in 2020, her relationship with alcohol took a turn for the worse in her late 30s. She became dependent on it, even hiding it from her family. She joined AA, but sadly it wasn't a long-term solution. In the early months of sobriety, Anele sought support from friends and avoided social outings. Since becoming sober, she feels more energetic and uses journalling as a way to process her emotions.
Compiled by: Sarah Enous
Photographs: Gallo/Getty Images, Supplied
Actress and YouTuber Stephanie Ndlovu opened up about her sobriety journey in August 2023. At the time, she hadn’t consumed alcohol for four months due to health- and weight loss reasons. Considered “mature”, she started drinking at a young age with older cousins.
Her drinking then led to bingeing, hindering her progress. As a binge-drinker, Stephanie struggled with knowing her limits. Despite feeling a strong desire to drink in certain environments, the taste stopped being enjoyable after pregnancy, and she's been on the sober path ever since.
2. LUCY HALE
Pretty Little Liars star Lucy Hale has had a long journey to sobriety. The actress first encountered alcohol at 12, binged throughout her teens and 20s, often blacking out. Despite attempts to moderate her drinking and even attending rehab at 23, it wasn't until January 2022 that she finally committed to sobriety. Lucy dedicated Valentine’s Day in 2023 to celebrating a year of sobriety with a post on Instagram captioned, “Bear with me, this is an alternative Valentine’s Day post. This is a post about self-love and about the greatest thing I’ve ever done. On January 2 2023, I celebrated one year of sobriety.” Sobriety has brought her peace, and she now focuses on mental health advocacy.
3. LANA DEL REY
Despite the drug and alcohol references in her music, Lana Del Rey doesn't drink. “I knew it was a problem when I liked it more than I liked doing anything else,” she told GQ in an interview. She was sent to Kent boarding school in Connecticut to get sober, then went to rehab at 18. Lana eventually achieved sobriety before turning 20, then moved to New York to pursue music. She credits being sober as one of the reasons that she's been able to enjoy her career successes.
4. NINA HASTIE
Comedienne and TV presenter Nina Hastie recently reached 11 years of sobriety, a journey that began in October 2013. Nina has struggled with mental health issues since age 17, and has spoken openly about her experience with alcohol and drug abuse, undergoing treatments as well as dealing with misdiagnoses. Nina mentions that her survival depended on sorting out her drinking issue. She feels deep gratitude for the people who supported her during her struggles. Nina publicly shares her experience to destigmatise mental health issues and educate others about depression and how to support those affected by it.
5. JADA PINKETT SMITH
Jada Pinkett Smith grew up in a challenging neighbourhood in Baltimore where substance abuse was prevalent. Her mother struggled with addiction, which significantly impacted her upbringing. As a young adult, Jada developed a tolerance for alcohol, often drinking alone and excessively as a coping mechanism. Recognising the need for change, she made the difficult decision to quit cold turkey. Through her determination and perseverance, Jada has maintained sobriety for over 25 years.
6. NAOMI CAMPBELL
Naomi Campbell's illustrious modelling career has been intertwined with personal challenges. To cope with childhood trauma and the tragic loss of her friend and designer, Gianni Versace, she turned to alcohol as a coping mechanism. In 1999, Naomi sought professional help and entered rehab. While she has attended support groups and made strides in her recovery, the journey has been complex and at times fraught with difficulties, including incidents of anger management. Today, Naomi is sober and uses her experiences to support others who are struggling with addiction.
7. CHRISSY TEIGEN
Chrissy Teigen, who has been sober since July 2021, found inspiration in Holly Whitaker's book Quit Like A Woman: The Radical Choice To Not Drink In A Culture Obsessed With Alcohol. Her relationship with alcohol became problematic, with her drinking escalating from casual consumption to a point where she struggled to go without it. “I drank to end crazy anxiety that later mostly went away when I – get this –quit drinking!” she revealed in an Instagram post. Chrissy is motivated to stay sober by a desire for personal growth and a fuller quality of life.
8. ANNE HATHAWAY
Actress Anne Hathaway has been open about her journey to sobriety, which began over five years ago. Her decision was influenced by the negative impact alcohol had on her well- being, which she described as a “wallowing fuel”. The turning point came when she dropped her son off at school while feeling hungover, and that feeling persisted for
several days. Anne intends to remain sober until her child is out of the house, stating that her life is healthier and more fulfilling.
9. ANELE NDLOVU
Anele Ndlovu, founder of ‘The Tea with Anele Ndlovu”, is a mental health and sobriety advocate. After being retrenched in 2020, her relationship with alcohol took a turn for the worse in her late 30s. She became dependent on it, even hiding it from her family. She joined AA, but sadly it wasn't a long-term solution. In the early months of sobriety, Anele sought support from friends and avoided social outings. Since becoming sober, she feels more energetic and uses journalling as a way to process her emotions.
Compiled by: Sarah Enous
Photographs: Gallo/Getty Images, Supplied
9 CELEBRITIES PROMOTING A SOBER LIFESTYLE
Reviewed by Amaarah
on
November 07, 2024
Rating:
Reviewed by Amaarah
on
November 07, 2024
Rating:
