Thursday, September 23, 2010

Jon Hamm Opens Up About His Battle Depression

There's very little for Jon Hamm to feel bad about right now: he's bilssfully happy with longtime girlfriend Jennifer Westfeldt, he's on one of the most celebrated shows on television (Mad Men), and he's starring the number one movie in the country (The Town).
But, it hasn't always been an easy journey for the 39-year-old actor. In an interview with the UK's Observer, Hamm talks about how he was deeply affected by the loss of both of his parents at a young age (his mother died of stomach cancer when he was  10-years-old and his father passed away ten years later.) 
"I struggled with chronic depression. I was in bad shape," he said, adding, "I did do therapy and antidepressants for a brief period, which helped me. Which is what therapy does: it gives you another perspective when you are so lost in your own spiral. It helps."
So did antidepressants work for him? Hamm said, "Antidepressants help! If you can change your brain chemistry enough to think: 'I want to get up in the morning; I don't want to sleep until four in the afternoon. I want to get up and go do my s*** and go to work and…' Reset the auto-meter, kick-start the engine!"
He also found support from friends and family. "I was very fortunate to have really good friends in my life whose parents sort of rallied: 'We're gonna help this kid out, because otherwise there's going to be trouble.'", the Golden Globe winner shared. He also credits work and the "structured environment" of school helped get him through his darkest period.
Have you battled with and overcome depression? What helped you with the struggle? Chime in below.

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Wednesday, September 22, 2010

Photos | New York's 2010 Summer Jam Lineup

New York's 2010 Summer Jam Lineup

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Men Who Make Us Say 'Mmm': Soap Stars Edition

Here are 12 good reasons to take a mid-day time out with your favorite daytime drama

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Photos | Lady Gaga, Soundgarden, Green Day Heat Up Lollapalooza 2010

Lady Gaga, Soundgarden, Green Day Heat Up Lollapalooza 2010

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Nicole Richie Celebrates Her 29th Birthday With Her Boys

Yesterday I reported that Nicole Richie celebrated her 29th birthday in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico (after she celebrated her bachelorette party there over the weekend) with a few of her closest lady friends but it turns out that that was not the case. Yes, Nicole and her girls celebrated her bacheloretteness over the weekend but [...]

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Mary J. Blige Dishes On Her 'Crazy' Led Zeppelin Covers

'I've listened to their music since I was a child,' says the R&B diva, who recorded 'Stairway to Heaven' and 'Whole Lotta Love.'By James Montgomery, with reporting by Larry Carroll





Mary J. Blige

Photo: MTV News




You wouldn't peg Mary J Blige as the black-light-and-tapestry sort, but, as has become readily apparent in recent weeks, she absolutely loves Led Zeppelin.
In early February, reports began circulating that Blige had re-recorded Zeppelin's classic "Stairway to Heaven," working with Travis Barker, "American Idol" judge Randy Jackson and guitarist Steve Vai on the track, which is slated to appear on the international reissue of her Stronger With Each Tear album, due Monday.

But after she had recorded "Stairway," Blige continued to get the Led out, covering another Zeppelin classic — the thunderous "Whole Lotta Love" — for the album too. And when MTV News caught up with her on the Essence Black Women in Hollywood red carpet, she told us all about channeling her inner Robert Plant for the tracks, a process that came much easier than you'd probably imagine.
"I did Led Zeppelin's 'Stairway to Heaven' and 'Whole Lotta Love' — it's crazy," she said. "I am a Led Zeppelin fan. I'm not going to say I've been to their concerts, but I've listened to their music since I was a child, and it's always moved me, especially 'Stairway to Heaven,' and 'Whole Lotta Love' is just fun."
Blige also said she recorded another new song — a "club record" called "I Can't Wait" — for the re-release. And while it's only slated to hit shelves outside the U.S., she hopes her fans will get a chance to hear all the new songs pretty soon.
"I want y'all to hear it," she laughed.



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Usher - OMG

OMG



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