The singer opens up about the tragic demise of his friend Fisher, unveiling the pressures she faced and the extent to which Hollywood's expectations propelled her into a downward spiral.
- May 28, 2024
AceShowbiz - James Blunt has revealed that his close friend Carrie Fisher, renowned for her portrayal of Princess Leia in the "Star Wars" franchise, faced intense pressure from the studio to maintain a thin figure at the age of 60. This pressure, according to Blunt, contributed to a relapse in her drug use, ultimately leading to her untimely demise.
Recalling the day before Fisher's passing, Blunt described her as having "mistreated her body." Having recently resumed her role as Princess Leia in the upcoming "Star Wars" film, Fisher was subjected to immense scrutiny from studio executives who demanded she lose weight. Fisher confided in Blunt about her concerns over ageism in the industry, noting that men were allowed to age gracefully while women faced these pressures.
Blunt alleges that Fisher's self-imposed pressure to conform to Hollywood's standards led her to start abusing drugs again. By the time she boarded her flight, Blunt believes Fisher had "effectively killed herself." While her official cause of death was ruled as heart failure, her system contained a combination of cocaine, heroin, MDMA and methadone.
Blunt's revelations were made during the Hay Literature Festival, where he discussed his memoir, "Loosely Based on a Made-Up Story". The memoir also addresses the strained relationship Blunt now has with Fisher's daughter, Billie Lourd, who holds him partially responsible for her mother's death. Lourd believes Blunt enabled Fisher's drug use by participating in it with her.
Blunt's memoir and recent statements have shed light on the struggles faced by Fisher, both onscreen and off. Her legacy as an iconic actress and trailblazer in the entertainment industry continues to inspire fans worldwide.
