In a new interview with the Guardian, Macaulay Culkin opened up about the countless drug rumors that have followed him for years.
After photos of the former child star looking thin and gaunt surfaced online a few years back, tabloids declared Culkin a heroin addict. The star appeared on several magazine covers that were plastered with a false veil of concern for the man who was once just a boy whom his parents left home alone (twice).
When asked if people were right to care about his health, Culkin responded, “Not necessarily.”
“Of course, when silly stuff is going on ― but no, I was not pounding six grand [worth] of heroin every month or whatever,” he said, adding, “The thing that bugged me was tabloids wrapping it all in this weird guise of concern. No, you’re trying to shift papers.”
These days, Culkin isn’t even sure why people still care about him. After noting that he doesn’t actively want to be in the spotlight, he said, “I was thinking about this the other day ― I’d crossed the wrong street, picked up a tail, suddenly there’s a crush of 20 paparazzi. Then people with cameraphones get involved. I don’t think I’m worthy of that.”
But the former actor is used to people trying to take his photo, regardless of whether or not he wants the attention.
“It’s been like that my whole adult life,” he said. “You take on a prey-like attitude, always scanning the horizon. It’s strange on dates, as it looks like you’re not paying attention. But I’ve stopped trying to think of myself in the third person, because that’s just gonna drive me nuts.”
To read more from his interview, head over to the Guardian.
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