Celebrity News August 28, 2009
DJ AM Found Dead
DJ AM -- real name Adam Goldstein -- was found dead in New York on Friday.
The performer's rep confirmed the unfortunate news to "Extra," "Adam 'DJ AM' Goldstein was found deceased this afternoon in his New York City apartment. The circumstances surrounding his death are unclear. Out of respect for his family and loved ones, please respect their privacy at this time."
AM's last tweet was three days ago -- he wrote, "New york, new york. Big city of dreams, but everything in new york aint always what it seems." The quote is a lyric from a Grandmaster Flash song.
AM and his musical partner in crime Travis Barker survived a horrific plane crash in South Carolina nearly one year ago in which four died.
In the past, he talked openly about his battle with a serious drug addiction, but after rehab said he was clean and sober. The AP reports a crack pipe and prescription pills were found in the celebrity DJ's apartment.
In February 2008, AM gave a revealing interview to Glamour magazine, detailing his battle with drugs and alcohol. "All along, I hated myself for being overweight," he said. "I used to stand in front of my mirror, holding rolls of flesh in my hands, wishing I could cut it off with a knife. Every time I walked into a room I thought people were saying, 'There's the fat guy.'"
Then, in his 20s, he was deejaying and "freebasing cocaine," adding, "I would take my money, race downtown and buy crack."
He even detailed a suicide attempt, saying, "I felt like my life was over. So I went into my living room, reached into a cabinet above my TV and grabbed my gun, a loaded .22. I sat back on my heels, cocked it and put it into my mouth. Then I squinted my eyes and said, "F--k this." I pulled the trigger. The gun didn't go off."
He described that event as the "turning point" in his life, but admitted, "At any given moment, I'm five seconds away from walking up to someone, grabbing their drink out of their hand and downing it. And if I do that, within a week, tops, I'll be smoking crack. So even though I have this crazy fabulous life, I have to hold on to the ground, gripping the grass with both hands."
DJ AM was 36 years old.
