“Stranger Things” Star Shares “Most Important” Thing He Learned From Addiction
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Until recently, Jamie Campbell Bower was best known for his roles in Twilight , Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows , and Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald . No longer an “up-and-coming actor,” Bower has arrived on the main stage thanks to his standout performance on season four of the Netflix hit Stranger Things . Yet for all of his successes, the actor admits his path to stardom hasn’t always been easy. Now, he’s opening up about his battle with addiction and the hard-won lessons he’s gleaned on his seven-year sobriety journey. Read on to learn what he now says is the “most important” thing he learned from addiction and mental illness, and for the message he’s sharing with others through his music.
READ THIS NEXT: Brad Pitt Credits This Huge Star With Helping Him Overcome Addiction .
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Bower took to Twitter this week to reflect on a difficult chapter in his past: one marked by addiction, mental health issues, and disordered eating. In a two-part Jul. 27 post, the actor shared that his addiction coincided with his early rise to fame, just as the Twilight series swept the nation. “12 and a half years ago I was in active addiction ,” Bower began. “Hurting myself and those around me who I loved the most. It got so bad that eventually I ended up in a hospital for mental health. I am now 7 1/2 years clean and sober. I have made many mistakes in my life,” the actor admitted.
“But each day is a chance to start again. Atone for mistakes and grow,” he continued. “For anyone who wakes up thinking ‘oh god not again’ I promise you there’s a way. I’m so grateful to be where I am, I’m so grateful to be sober. I’m so grateful to be,” Bower said. “Remember, we are all works in progress,” he told his 950,000 followers.
READ THIS NEXT: The Real Reason Kelly Ripa Stopped Drinking Alcohol .
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Bower now uses his fame as an actor and musician—he’s lead singer for the punk band Counterfeit —to shed light on mental health and addiction issues. He’s also shared some of the key coping tools he’s acquired, in hopes that his fans will find healthier paths for themselves.
“ I’m in recovery , so one of the first things that they teach you when you’re in recovery is to be super honest about what it is that you’re feeling, like guilt, shame, fear, sadness, whatever it is,” he explained in a 2019 interview with i-D . “The most important thing is, and it’s the hardest thing to do, is just express exactly what it is that you’re feeling.”
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Bower says that some of those lessons also translate into his creative life as an actor and musician. “It’s about setting boundaries for myself and those around me, and being as honest and genuine in whatever I’m doing as possible,” he told the magazine. “Even now I’m growing and looking for roles and projects that speak to me so that when I’m going into them I’m giving my true true self, because that’s what fuels me, and I’m exploring that through the medium of art in whatever way possible.”
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Bower’s difficult past has found its way into his career in more ways than one. In 2019, Counterfeit recorded a song called “It Gets Better,” which expressly tackled themes of mental health and addiction. “If you’ve seen the bottom, if you’ve given up/Believe me, my sister, there is hope for us,” Bower wrote in the lyrics.
Bower sees this as a way of paying his good fortune forward. “I go out there and I try to spread the same message that’s been blessed to me. Being in recovery and going through that: I’ve been given a strength by those people around me and that’s what I want to push out,” he shared in a 2020 interview with Gigwise . “Look, it’s okay to talk about your feelings. It’s not a weakness. If you have something in your life that’s pulling you down, you can get rid of it. Because a lot of people in life are very very stuck. And I know how that feels.”
Shedding the veneer of celebrity, Bower strives to connect with his audiences on a deeper level when he performs onstage, he says. “You’re not alone in whatever it is that you’re going through,” he said. “There’s no shame in talking about that at all.”
What You Should Watch on Netflix, Based on Your Zodiac Sign
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Choosing a new show on Netflix can be a bit overwhelming. With so many options and new titles being added every day, narrowing down your next pick is easier said than done. Rather than waste another minute in the endless scroll of your feed, why not turn to astrology for some guidance? Make your Netflix binge session a bit easier and read on for a list of the what you should watch according to your zodiac sign.
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Passionate, fiery, and fierce–Aries prefers movies that are larger than life. You like to be fully immersed from start to finish and prefer films with an element of drama, adventure, or suspense. Since, you yourself are always living life to the fullest, you thrive on high drama action thrillers. And with Mars, the planet of passion and aggression, as your ruling planet, it’s no surprise action movies are among your favorites.
Your weekend watchlist: Uncut Gems , Inception , Top Gun , The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo , and Red Notice .
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Few signs are in touch with their senses as much as you, Taurus—you have an appreciation for aesthetics and the finer things in life. Because of that love of flavor, beauty, and indulgence, Taureans love all things food. Cooking shows allow you to indulge the visual and sensual pleasures of creating your favorite meals without doing any of the work. And if you’re looking for something a little more high-stakes, there are plenty of competitive cooking shows to heat things up.
Your weekend watchlist: The Final Table , Salt Fat Acid Heat , Nadiya Bakes , The Great British Baking Show , and Nailed It! .
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Don’t play coy, Gemini–you’re a lover of all things scandal. As the social butterfly of the zodiac, nothing piques your interest more than a good bit of gossip . And is there anything better than knowing all the tea about drama you’re not a part of? If you’re looking for a new show that promises to serve up extravagant parties, scathing insults, longing glances, and a side of scandal, the period dramas on Netflix have everything you’re looking for and more.
Your weekend watchlist: Bridgerton , Downton Abbey , Reign , Versailles , and Anne with an E .
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Cancer, it’s no secret that you’re obsessed with love and romance. You are known for your nurturing aura and are always looking out for others. You love a good story with highs and lows, perhaps some tears—really anything with lots of emotional drama and a few laughs along the way. Romantic comedies are the perfect way to spend a cozy night in. That said, Cancers are also lovers of the classic Nicholas Sparks type love stories.
Your weekend watchlist: To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before , Destination Wedding , The Half of It , Always Be My Maybe , and Good on Paper .
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Leo, you are the performer of the zodiac. You are known for your love of all things extravagant. It takes a lot of star power and quality entertainment to keep you interested in a movie or television show. Oftentimes, slow burns or period pieces are too dull to keep your attention. If you’re looking for over-the-top entertainment with plenty of good drama and snappy comebacks, Netflix current reality tv rotation has just what you need. They offer up an endless collection of ready-to-binge reality shows, including a show where people marry a complete stranger and a series about professional match-makers.
Your weekend watchlist: Selling Sunset , The Ultimatum , Bling Empire , The Circle , and Are You The One? .
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You’re known as the perfectionist of the zodiac, Virgo. And as someone with an eye for the details, nothing gets you thinking like a mystery thriller. You love a plot with a twist, as well as characters that play mind games. There’s nothing more satisfying to you than trying to solve the crime before the detective on screen. However, if you do not find the plot interesting, it is very hard for you to focus or care. Virgo prefers movies that have an element of suspense and make them think.
Your weekend watchlist: The Woman in the Window , The Weekend Away , Secret Obsession , Crooked House , and The Girl on the Train .
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Libra, you are known for your love of equality and balance. With Venus as your ruling planet – you have a bit of a romantic and endearing side. As a champion of the underdog, you prefer to support independent artists and unsung creatives. Indie films tend to catch your attention for this reason. Nothing excites you more than finding a new independent film from an up-and-coming director, and the chance to see a unique story told excites your more creative side.
Your weekend watchlist: Grizzlies , ROMA , Uncorked , Really Love, and Ride Like A Girl .
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Scorpios are known for being mysterious, intense, and a bit dark at times. You tend to have a dark sense of humor and a very dry wit. When it comes to finding a film that will keep you engaged, you prefer movies with a psychological twist. You love the thrill and intensity of horror movies, and aren’t afraid of a good jump scare. Whether you’re into classic slasher flicks or modern day hauntings, Netflix has a great selection of scary movies for you.
Your weekend watchlist: A Nightmare on Elm Street , The Conjuring , The Exorcist , You , and The Privilege .
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While it’s true that you’re the adventurer of the zodiac, Sagittarius, you’re also a bit of a class clown. You are extremely extroverted and your goal while watching a movie is to have fun. And between traveling the world and picking up a dozen new hobbies, you don’t usually have time to binge watch new Netflix content; which is why you tend to go for a cult classic that you know and love.
Your weekend watchlist: Arrested Development , The Craft , Scott Pilgrim vs. The World , Starship Troopers , and Forgetting Sarah Marshall .
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Capricorn, you’re the more serious type. You’re smart and intellectual, and the kind of person who has a thirst for knowledge. Capricorn is always down to earth and practical, and so you would prefer a movie that allows you to indulge your cerebral side. Documentaries, biopics, and movies that are based on true stories are a personal favorite of yours. While there’s nothing wrong with a fictional story, documentaries offer a rare glimpse into another reality.
Your weekend watchlist: Miss Americana , We the Animals , Jim & Andy: The Great Beyond , Homecoming: A Film By Beyonce , and Knock Down the House .
RELATED: The Zodiac Sign Best at Lying, According to an Astrologer .
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Aquarius, you love to live life on the edge. You thrive in new and exciting situations and often have an eccentric personality. It’s difficult to know what really gets your mind going. However, given your daring and open minded nature, it’s safe to assume sci-fi and fantasy films suit you best. Although you tend to be a realist, you love to explore a new universe or alternate realities via movies and media. And as the rebel of the zodiac, there’s nothing you love more than a crew of outcasts venturing out on an epic quest.
Your weekend watchlist: Stranger Things , The Magicians , Stargate SG1 , Black Mirror , and The 100 .
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Pisces, you’re an emotional sign that knows the value of a good crying session. And because you’re so intuitive, you tend to understand what others are feeling easily. You are known for your empathy, but you also love a bit of escapism. You love to get lost in the world of the show or movie you’re watching and really experience the full range of emotion. Tearjerker films are the perfect way to indulge your sensitive side in the comfort of your own home.
Your weekend watchlist: Selena: The Series , Marriage Story , Grey’s Anatomy , My Girl , and Dear John .
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