Rapper-turned-rocker Machine Gun Kelly has opened up about his ongoing sobriety journey, sharing the pivotal shift in mindset that helped him get sober.
Speaking with PEOPLE ahead of the 2024 People’s Choice Country Awards, where he was both a nominee and performer, the 34-year-old artist, born Colson Baker, revealed how self-reflection became key to his personal transformation. “I had to zoom out and take a look at myself from a holistic perspective,” Kelly shared at the Grand Ole Opry House in Nashville on Thursday, Sept. 26.
Reflecting on his life and legacy, Kelly tied his sobriety journey to personal growth and introspection. “I was born on the 22nd. Twenty-two is a master number. What am I here to master? I had to ask myself that question,” he said. “What were my generational curses and problems that were passed down to me and to my father? Rest in peace.”
The “Emo Girl” singer found clarity in embracing the responsibility of being a better man. “I find solace in knowing that I can punish myself today so that I can forgive myself tomorrow,” he explained. He emphasized that his love for his daughter, Casie, and his close-knit circle of family and friends were the foundation of his decision to embrace sobriety. “I’m not in a haze anymore to not realize that.”
In August, Kelly made headlines when he announced on Bunnie Xo’s Dumb Blonde podcast that he had been sober for over a year. “I don’t drink anymore. I haven’t drunk since last August. That was my first time I ever went to rehab,” he said.
During the candid interview, Kelly also opened up about his past struggles with substances, including alcohol, marijuana, and prescription drugs like hydrocodone, Percocet, and Vyvanse. He credited his partner, actress Megan Fox, with playing a significant role in his recovery.
“Megan has for sure been extremely helpful in dealing with the psychological withdrawals that come with getting off drugs,” Kelly said, acknowledging the challenges of his journey while also expressing acceptance and self-forgiveness.
The same month, during an appearance on the Million Dollaz Worth of Game podcast, Kelly shared a poignant moment with his 15-year-old daughter, Casie, which had a profound impact on his decision to get sober. Casie, who was around 11 or 12 at the time, told her father she could tell when he was high. “That was step one for me,” Kelly said. “As a father and as a man, to be the father I wish my dad would have been, I have to break this generational curse for my kid.”
Machine Gun Kelly’s journey toward sobriety is ongoing, but his commitment to personal growth and breaking generational cycles for the sake of his daughter remains clear. His candid reflection on this process highlights his dedication to living a healthier, more mindful life.
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