Pete Wentz Tells Playboy How He Became Such an Emo Cocktail
By Vicki Walker
Fall Out Boy bassist Pete Wentz tells the October issue of Playboy all about his “Leave It to Beaver” childhood. Except it wasn’t.
Wentz, 29, says he once played Russian roulette with a friend, both under the influence of alcohol and Ambien.
“I feel stupid even talking about it,” he tells the ultimate lad mag. “It’s one of the reasons I’ve never owned a gun — I’m too impulsive. I’d probably get mad and shoot someone over a part in a song or something.”
Never knock the least little crumb of self-awareness in the modern celebrity.
In therapy since he was 6, Wentz told Playboy he was diagnosed with ADD and manic depression: “The list of drugs I’ve been prescribed would read like a grocery list, everything from Klonopin to Prozac.” He “loved” benzodiazepines, and once took too many Ativan (anxiety drug) because “I just wanted my head to be completely turned off.”
Oh, and he and wife Ashlee Simpson say with “90 percent accuracy” that their baby, due about Thanksgiving, will be a boy. He appears to be getting good advice regarding a name: “My friend Andrew said, ‘Your kid has to have a name that would fit either a rock star or a senator.’” So at least we don’t have to worry about little Zoloft Batguano Wentz cutting himself over a name most people wouldn’t give a dog.
ALL RIGHT, WHO PUT NORMAL NEWS IN THIS COLUMN?: Barbra Streisand, actor Morgan Freeman and country singer George Jones will be honored by the Kennedy Center in December along with choreographer Twyla Tharp and musicians Pete Townshend and Roger Daltrey of the Who.
Kennedy Center Chairman Stephen Schwarzman hailed the “extraordinary genius and tenacity” of the 2008 lifetime achievement award recipients, announced Tuesday. Their work, Schwarzman said, has “redefined the way we see, hear and feel the performing arts.”
Performers from New York, Hollywood and Nashville will salute the honorees at a Dec. 7 gala to be aired later on CBS. For the last time, President Bush and first lady Laura Bush will host the honorees at the White House before the performance. The awards are presented the night before at a State Department dinner hosted by Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice.
WAS THIS ON ‘THE APPRENTICE’?: A 22-year-old interviewed Tuesday on Howard Stern’s Sirius Radio show is auctioning her virginity to pay her college tuition.
Going by the nom-de-maidenhead Natalie Dylan, the brunette has a bachelor’s degree in women’s studies from Sacramento State (she wants a doctorate), a sister who works at legal Nevada brothel Moonlite BunnyRanch (where “the deal will be consummated,” according to the New York Daily News), and a stepfather who left both girls unable to finance their education.
Such backstory might explain the following Dylan comments that make most sentient beings smack their foreheads:
— “I don’t have a moral dilemma with it. We live in a capitalist society. Why shouldn’t I be allowed to capitalize on my virginity?”
— “I understand some people may condemn me. But I think this is empowering. I’m using what I have to better myself.”
On top of this, Dylan says the winner won’t necessarily be the highest bidder. “I want someone with chemistry. We’ll take bids until I find a suitor I’m happy with.” She also says she’s willing to submit to a polygraph test and a gynecological exam.
BRAIN BLEACH NOT INCLUDED: A pair of size-28 Calvin Klein white briefs once belonging to Michael Jackson will be auctioned today on eBay with a reserve price of $1 million.
As the New York Post puts it, “The unwashed underpants have a sensational past.” They were confiscated for DNA evidence in Santa Barbara during Jackson’s 2003 child-molestation case, he was acquitted.
“For extra authenticity,” the Post trills, “the briefs come sealed in an evidence bag and wrapped with police tape.” Packaging is always so important.
Today’s People Column was stitched together by Vicki Walker from staff and wire service reports. Questions? Comments? Contact her at 925-943-8323 or vwalker@bayareanewsgroup.com.
MILESTONES
Birthdays: Golfer Arnold Palmer (79), actor Philip Baker Hall (77), country singer Tommy Overstreet (71), jazz vibraphonist Roy Ayers (68), singer Danny Hutton of Three Dog Night (66), singer Jose Feliciano (63), rock musician Joe Perry of Aerosmith (58), actress Amy Irving (55), country singer Rosie Flores (52), movie director Chris Columbus (50), actor Colin Firth (48), rock singer-musician David Lowery of Cracker (48), baseball pitcher Randy Johnson (45), rock musician Stevie D. of Buckcherry (42), rock musician Robin Goodridge of Bush (42), rock singer-musician Miles Zuniga of Fastball (42), rapper Big Daddy Kane (40), movie director Guy Ritchie (40), actor Ryan Phillippe (34), rock musician Mikey Way of My Chemical Romance (28).
Originally published by Vicki Walker, Contra Costa Times.
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