Drake Bell and Josh Peck Reflect on Their Struggles with Fame and Recovery
In a candid discussion on Dear Media’s Good Guys podcast, Drake Bell and Josh Peck, stars of the beloved Nickelodeon show *Drake & Josh*, opened up about the challenges they faced as young actors in the public eye, including their battles with substance abuse. The conversation highlights the unique pressures that child actors often face and the personal turmoil that can accompany fame.
Bell, who has been vocal about his struggles, shared, “Oh, everything was public, man. I mean, it’s just crazy, you know? And yeah, so it got hard.” His remarks come on the heels of his participation in the docuseries *Quiet on Set: The Dark Side of Kids TV*, where he detailed the troubling experiences he endured on set, including the trauma inflicted by a former dialogue coach. This docuseries examined serious issues like abuse, sexism, and racism in the entertainment industry, prompting a necessary conversation about the exploitation of young performers.
Facing Personal Battles
During the podcast, hosted by Peck and entrepreneur Ben Soffer, Bell discussed his difficult decision to enter a rehabilitation facility in Nashville. “I think it was just exhaustion. And just nowhere else to turn, feeling like a rat in a cage, like I couldn’t do it anymore,” he reflected. The pressures of a tumultuous personal life, including parenting and marital difficulties, contributed to feelings of desperation and the need for change.
Bell shared that despite his initial reluctance, stepping into the Cumberland Heights rehab provided an unexpected sense of relief. “It was the first deep breath that I’d taken in, I don’t know how long. It was sudden, oh my God, that’s what this feels like. Yeah. It’s gonna be alright,” he explained. This pivotal moment marked the beginning of his healing journey, albeit filled with struggles, as he grappled with feelings of isolation while inside the program.
Finding Community and Support
As Bell attended group sessions, he began to recognize the shared struggles of others. This realization fostered a sense of community, helping him understand that he was not alone in his pain. He later expressed his desire to share his recovery story with his fans, seeing it as an opportunity to connect and possibly help others facing similar obstacles.
Peck also opened up about his own recovery process, which began with a transformative 12-step meeting. He highlighted that addiction often lies deeper than surface-level behaviors, tracing back to unresolved trauma. “It wasn’t until I walked into a room of other people who think and feel and hurt and drank and did the way I did, but they weren’t a glum lot,” Peck shared, emphasizing the empowering nature of finding a supportive community.
The Impact of Their Journey
Both actors reflected on the pressures of maintaining their Hollywood careers while navigating their personal challenges. Interestingly, they admitted that during their time on *Drake & Josh*, they were unaware of the extent to which each other’s struggles impacted their relationship. Yet, the very issues that pushed them apart in the past have ultimately brought them closer today. As Peck noted, “I give a lot of credit to the (Quiet on Set) documentary and for what it did not only for us, but for the zeitgeist of the world and for people watching.”
In discussing their experiences, they also remembered their peer Amanda Bynes, a fellow Nickelodeon star who has faced her own public struggles. Bell praised her talent, saying, “She was an idol to me… She’s one of the most talented people, unbelievable.” Meanwhile, Peck expressed his admiration for Bynes, acknowledging her as a superb person with an extraordinary spirit despite her challenges.
Having risen to fame at a young age, Bynes has faced significant mental health and substance abuse issues. Recently, she emerged from a lengthy court conservatorship which sparked widespread conversations about mental health and it’s treatment in celebrity culture.