As I understand artists like Eminem and many others, who have been part of AA, they go to the meetings, and talk their story. Share their experiences and etc.
I understand many of them are already public but still I am sure they share some sensitive stories there.
Of course in AA everyone is a friendly family community, but how is it possible that people don’t gossip about stuff after? Especially having a celebrity on their meeting?
In: Other
Eminem in AA: “Hi, my name is… Hi, my name is…Hi, my name is…Hi, my name is…Eminem and I’m an alcoholic.”
I think the answer is just that fewer people are assholes than we might think, especially to individuals that they have actually met and shared something personal with.
I don’t think they’re showing up at the local rec center. They go to meetings with other high profile people with images and reputations to protect.
A lot of people who are “upper crust” of society have their own meetings with other members of that same society. They all have a vested interest in keeping things private together, and they all know that no one else in that group is going to gossip.
The main reason is that people generally know about the shitty stuff they did. many folks in AA have been doing it for a really long time, and so media doesn’t give a shit. like if Charlie sheen got wasted and banged a hooker… would anyone care when 2 years later he talks about in AA?
A lot of celebrity gossip is manufactured and managed by consultants. hence the expose with quotes and pictures…
So. Assume you were at Eminiem’s meeting where he first introduced himself as an alcoholic.
He most likely did not say “Hi, my name is Eminem and I’m alcoholic”. He most likely said “Hi, my name is Marshall and I’m an alcoholic”. The people who may have seen him there would probably think “Huh… he looks like that rapper…” rather than “WHOA! It’s Eminem!”
But if they leaked that “Marshall” was really Eminem, well there may also be consequences there. (Ie, getting kicked out) This is also assuming that Eminem went to one near his home – he might have gone to AA meetings in nowhere places.
“DUDE! You wouldn’t believe it! I saw EMINEM in my Alcoholics Anonymous meeting! Wait, why are you giving me that look?”
“…Are you high? We’re in Spokane.”
And finally? Sometimes they do get leaked – someone “leaked” a story about some celebritiy, but it was not only already known, but “Uh, yeah, they do work for Alcoholics anonymous.” Plus? some people like that go to private meetings.
I have no way to know this, but I strongly suspect there are some people who get together with their peers in groups that are not known to, or open to, the public.
There was a West Wing episode I think of in which the character Leo, who was Chief of Staff, has a conversation with the Vice President about this. Their dialogue goes like this:
“When was the last time you went to a meeting.”
“AA?…. What meeting could I possibly go to?”
“Mine.”
“John, tell me you are not showing your face—”
“Leo, I have got my own meeting. Every week. The downstairs office here at the OEOB at eleven p.m. There are nine of us: three senators, two cabinet secretaries, one federal judge and two agency directors. There’s an agent outside, the whole thing looks like a card game.”
“Do I have enemies in that room?”
“All our people.”
As I understand it, not being in AA myself, there are word of mouth meetings for folks who may need more privacy. Like famous people for one, but also for healthcare/mental health workers who don’t want to run into patients.
Easy. The people are there are for a reason. I’m sure hearing a celebrity is having the same issues as you can actually be helpful in your recovery. People either don’t wanna screw that up, or don’t wanna get their ass kicked for blabbing.
mutual respect for privacy and being a normal good person and supporter. i went to AA with robin williams – he wasn’t a celebrity there. he was an addict. he was super nice and talked to everyone yet didn’t share his story much for privacy reasons. he lived near where i was living with family but the meetings were in the Marina. great dude, shorter than expected, as hairy as you’d expect.
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