So,
you’re considering going alcohol-free. Maybe it’s for health reasons, maybe
it’s the season of life or maybe you just don’t prefer alcohol. Whatever your
reasons are for going alcohol-free, you’re not alone. Turns out, there are lots
of other individuals out there who live alcohol-free lifestyles, including some
very well-known celebrities.
Celebrities
are often known for their exuberant way of life, excessive spending and of
course those A-list parties. But did you know that some of those famous
A-listers go to parties without entertaining a single sip of alcohol? Celebrity
or not, some well-known individuals have made the switch to a non-alcoholic
lifestyle for various personal, respectable reasons. Check out this list we’ve
compiled of VIPs who went alcohol-free.
1. Bradley Cooper
At the
age of 29, American actor Bradley Cooper decided to make the switch to an
alcohol-free life after years of struggling with substance abuse issues. In a
2012 interview with
People Magazine, Cooper stated, “I don’t
drink or do drugs anymore. Being sober helps a great deal. I remember looking
at my life, my apartment, my dogs [when I was still using], and I thought,
‘What’s happening?’” Now 42 years old, Cooper has been alcohol-free for 13
years.
2. Blake Lively
Though
her
Gossip Girl counterpart Serena
van der Woodsen might have enjoyed a good party, 30-year-old actress Blake
Lively could not be more different. In a 2012 cover story with
Allure, Lively expressed that not
only does she avoid drugs, but she’s made the choice to go without alcohol as
well. Hers is more of a relaxed persona decision, however. “It’s not like I
decided on these strict lifestyle choices and I’m enforcing them,” she stated.
“It’s just something that I genuinely don’t have a desire for.”
3. Jennifer Hudson
Similar
to Lively, 36-year-old singer and actress Jennifer Hudson leads a relatively
laid-back and alcohol-free lifestyle. While promoting her 2013 movie “
The Inevitable Defeat of Mister &
Pete
,”
(where she plays a heroin addict), Hudson discussed her sobriety in an
interview with talk show host Chelsea
Handler. Hudson stated, “I’ve never done anything, so that was hard to play
this role. I’ve never had a drink in my life. I’m sober.” When Handler showed
her
surprise, Hudson responded, “I’ve
never been interested. Nobody ever believes it.”
4. Russell Brand
Though
very well known for his comedic pursuits, British actor, author and activist
Russell Brand also has a more serious side. Now 14 years sober, Brand has
consistently been open and outspoken about his recovery from drugs and alcohol.
In a 2017 appearance with
Megyn Kelly Today, Brand talked about his now
alcohol-free lifestyle: “When I started, I took it one day at a time.
Ultimately, I found that spirituality worked for me.” Now completely sober,
Brand is a spokesperson for living alcohol-free, in his book “Recovery: Freedom
from Our Addictions.”
5. Jennifer Lopez
Forty-eight-year-old
American singer, actress and fashion designer Jennifer Lopez doesn’t have time
to let alcohol slow down her busy lifestyle. In a 2003 interview with
InStyle, Lopez stated, “I think that
ruins your skin. Of course, during celebratory toasts, everybody’s like, ‘You
can’t toast with water!’ So I’ll toast with alcohol and just take a sip.”
Though her alcohol-free lifestyle choice isn’t in response to personal
challenges, her commitment to keeping her body and mind clean is still just as
strong.
6. Tim McGraw
While
some celebrities have chosen to go alcohol-free for themselves or their bodies,
others do it for their families. Singer Tim McGraw has been sober since 2008,
and decided to make the switch for his three daughters. In an interview with
Ellen DeGeneres, McGraw expressed, “I think
it’s a personal choice—when it gets to the point where you think it’s affecting
you adversely and it’s affecting your relationships. It’s time to make a
change, and I thought it was.” Since then, McGraw traded alcohol for
weight-training, and has reaped the physical benefits.
7. Zendaya
Choosing
to go alcohol-free isn’t something only experienced, older adults can do. In
fact, 21-year-old actress and singer Zendaya did it from the very beginning.
When she rang in her 21st birthday, Zendaya celebrated in style, but without
alcohol. Via
her app, Zendaya stated:
Just because I’m now the legal drinking age, doesn’t mean I’m
going to start throwing ‘em back. I don’t plan to start drinking. My life is
too stressful to need help with relaxing by having a cocktail. This industry is
way too nuts for me to not be in control of myself and my decisions, so I just
don’t want to introduce drinking! Plus, I don’t want drinking to become a vice.
Why try something if you don’t need it?!
These
individuals are only a few of the many celebrities who have chosen to step back
and live an alcohol-free lifestyle. No matter the reasons behind the decision,
going alcohol-free is an ideal way to cleanse the body, mind and soul, reset
and refocus on a positive and fruitful life.