Carrie Fisher, the iconic actress known for her role as Princess Leia in Star Wars, faced immense pressure from Hollywood, particularly during her return to the franchise. James Blunt, the singer-songwriter famous for “You’re Beautiful,” shared intimate details about Fisher’s struggles before her untimely death in 2016.
Blunt, while promoting his memoir Loosely Based on a Made-Up Story at the Hay Festival, recounted how Fisher was “mistreating her body” due to the pressure exerted by Star Wars bosses to maintain a thin appearance. This revelation has cast a new light on the challenges faced by women in the film industry.
A Friendship Forged in Hollywood
Blunt and Fisher’s friendship began in the early 2000s through mutual friends. Their bond grew stronger when Blunt moved into Fisher’s Los Angeles home, where he recorded his debut album, Back to Bedlam. Fisher, known for her candidness and humor, became a significant influence on Blunt’s life and career.
Reflecting on their time together, Blunt shared, “I was with her the day before she died, when she came down to my house. And she’d been really mistreating her body.” Fisher had just been cast again as Princess Leia, a role that brought her joy but also significant stress.
The Pressure of Hollywood Standards On Carrie Fisher
The return to the Star Wars franchise was a bittersweet moment for Fisher. While it reignited her career, it also brought back the harsh realities of Hollywood’s expectations. Blunt revealed, “They had applied a lot of pressure on her to be thin. She spoke about the difficulties that women have in the industry, how men are allowed to grow old, and women are certainly not in film and TV.”
This societal pressure contributed to Fisher’s struggles with substance abuse. Blunt poignantly described how Fisher “started using drugs again and by the time she got on the plane, she had effectively killed herself.”
Flogging a dead horse here. https://t.co/QnAcETYNoB pic.twitter.com/XGutefFi79
— James Blunt (@JamesBlunt) May 22, 2024
The Night Before the Tragedy
Fisher’s final hours were marked by a tragic mix of hope and despair. On a flight from London to Los Angeles, she was found unresponsive. Despite efforts to revive her, Fisher passed away days later. A toxicology report revealed a combination of cocaine, heroin, MDMA, and methadone in her system.
Blunt’s reflections on this period are haunting. “They say it was heart failure of some kind, but she had taken enough drugs to have a really good party,” he said, capturing the duality of Fisher’s life – a beloved actress grappling with personal demons.
A Complex Legacy
In his memoir, Blunt touches on the strained relationship with Fisher’s daughter, Billie Lourd. He wrote, “Charlie, her best friend, confronted her more directly and told her she needed to quit drugs. I took a different approach and did them with her, pretending to myself that I would guide her to redemption one day – just not today. As a result, her daughter Billie blames me in part for her death, and no longer speaks to me.”
This admission reveals the complexities of Fisher’s relationships and the impact of her addiction on those closest to her.
Hollywood’s Unforgiving Nature
Fisher’s story is a stark reminder of the pressures faced by women in Hollywood. Despite being the daughter of movie star Debbie Reynolds and entertainer Eddie Fisher, Fisher carved out her own path, becoming an icon in her own right. Her roles in films like When Harry Met Sally, Drop Dead Fred, and the TV comedy Catastrophe showcased her versatility and talent.
George Lucas, the creator of Star Wars, described Fisher as “extremely smart; a talented actress, writer and comedienne with a very colorful personality that everyone loved.” His words underscore the immense loss felt by her passing.
Seeking Help and Support
Fisher’s tragic end highlights the importance of addressing substance abuse and mental health issues. For those struggling, help is available. In the UK, confidential support can be sought from Frank by calling 0300 123 6600. In the US, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration is available at 1-800-662-HELP.
The Hay Festival and Beyond
James Blunt’s candid discussion at the Hay Festival, running from May 23 to June 2 in Hay-on-Wye, provided a sobering glimpse into the life of a beloved star. As fans and friends remember Carrie Fisher, her story serves as both a celebration of her achievements and a cautionary tale of the pressures faced by women in the entertainment industry.
Source- Independent
