FERGIE INTERVIEW - MUST READ!!!

[unga]

Okay, this article is JAM PACKED with juicy info about Stacy's true feelings about WO and how it related to her past drug use - read on!!!
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Stacy "Fergie" Ferguson, who duets with Will on Shut Up, the new-found success marks a decisive break with her painful past.

A native Californian, Fergie was a child actor and singer before joining the Peas. She was a product of the same world of TV commercials and variety show performances which launched Britney Spears, Christina and Justin on the road to stardom.

But although her girl group Wild Orchid had moderate success, Fergie did not feel fulfilled and soon found solace in drugs that nearly destroyed her. "I guess I didn't feel comfortable in that world," she says, "and I lost interest in my work. That's when I really started to go to clubs not just to dance. At first, I started taking ecstasy once in a while and then I got really heavily into it.

"You get to the point where you think you can try something like crystal meth once, just to experience it. But if you are weak you'll come back for more. I started taking it and soon I got addicted. My weight dropped to six stones. I lied to my friends, said I was bulimic and got very good at hiding my drug addiction."

But the physical damage could not be hidden. "I really didn't care about myself or my looks and had a total loss of self-esteem. Finally, I started going crazy. In that moment I talked to God and He said, 'I've given you all these gifts, so what are you doing?' That's when I decided to get clean.
"I told everybody what was wrong and I got better with the support of many friends and my family. Now I can only thank God that things started to happen for me. I began working on my solo album - it's been my ambition to finish that since I was seven - and that's when I got asked to join Black Eyed Peas."

She was first introduced to the band in 1998 when Will worked on a few of her solo tracks. Where Is The Love? was originally written for her debut as a fully-fledged group member. But she kept her composure when the band decided to ask Timberlake to help finish the song. Justin had met the boys after he'd watched Taboo breakdancing at an LA club, but his relationship with Fergie goes back further.

"I already knew Justin," reveals Fergie. "We've been friends for quite a while. I used to go out with him a long time ago, even before Britney. Although I hadn't seen him for many years, we've never had a serious falling out."

During the group's support slot on the Timberlake/ Aguilera tour, Fergie had a chance to renew her old friendship with Justin. But she didn't forge a new one with Christina.

"Justin hung out a lot on tour," she says. "He would come to catering and we'd go out together a lot. He likes to go out dancing and so do we. We're very friendly, but only on a friend basis.

"But I've really only spoken to Christina once so I can't really say what she's like. She's probably spoken to the guys more. She didn't eat in catering with everyone else, she eats in her dressing room, so I only saw her _ a couple of times, although I did go to watch her show."
She did however become friends with Justin's current girlfriend Cameron Diaz.

"She's a complete doll," Fergie continues. "I've never talked to her about acting but we do chat about surfing. I want to learn and she has offered to teach me."

Although Fergie has made appearances on various American TV series, she is dismissive of her acting career to date.

"I wouldn't call what I'm seen doing on TV acting," she laughs. "Even before I got into drugs I felt stifled in music and I didn't want to do the sort of music that the company wanted us to do.
"So I got into acting and took a theatre class. I studied Stella Adler and Shakespeare and I definitely want to get back into it one day, but when I do I want to focus on it solely. There's no way I want to get into anything half-assed."

Although she has plans to "really pound the pavement" with her long-cherished solo album, for now she's relishing the new-found freedom of life with the Black Eyed Peas.

"With this band I can do what I want," she says. "I can crowd surf if I want and I'm not going to get in trouble with anybody. No one can tell me no.
"Also, being able to perform with a live band is something new to me. Being able to dance more with guys who are natural street dancers has been great. And we have freestyle rapping sessions on the bus that are amazing."

There have naturally been fans of the band that think the inclusion of both Fergie and Justin is a selling-out of their hip hop credentials. Understandably, she has little time for their criticisms.
"I have read some hurtful things on the internet and I've learned not to take them personally," she says.

"The people that write those things don't know what I've been through. They don't know that I've been into hip hop since seventh grade or that I've had drug addictions.

"So who are they to make assumptions about me and my life from behind a computer? I was behind a mic when I was eight years old. But I can't get too mad at them because I've just been blessed by being able to do music that I love and being able to grow."

[ELLIE]

This reminds me of another interview she gave a while back.

[NPGmaverick]

Where did this come from? I only ask because some things don't match up. Stacy and I are the same age and it always seemed unbelievable that she would have dated Justin "Before Britney". If my math is correct, that would mean Justin was 16 and Stacy was 22. His obvious attraction to older women aside, it seems strange.

Also, who tells their friends they're bulimic as a smoke screen for their drug addiction? Was that so they wouldn't worry?

I dunno, it sounds suspicously like this article from awhile back that turned out to be largely fabricated. Am I the only one who has this feeling?

[ELLIE]

I feel the same way. I'm sure she has her version of the truth and so does Renee and Stefanie. I was just talking to Adrea yesterday about when exactly did Stacy start to feel inadequate in WO? I mean if she didn't like being the group then why the hell be in it to begin with? I'd love to hear Stef and Renee's sides to this, but, trying to get any information out of them at this moment is impossible as we all know.


As for Stacy dating Justin, or whatever the hell it was, I guess she likes them very young, or he likes them very old! It's all very weird and lascivious.

[RIVERLOVER]

NPGmaverick said:

Where did this come from? I only ask because some things don't match up. Stacy and I are the same age and it always seemed unbelievable that she would have dated Justin "Before Britney". If my math is correct, that would mean Justin was 16 and Stacy was 22. His obvious attraction to older women aside, it seems strange.

T4p Unga, where did you find this article?
Yes, NPGmaverick, your math is correct.I've been thinking the same thing about Justin and Stacy's relationship. Justin and I are the same age, so he would have been 16 or 17 when they dated.

[unga]

I pulled this article from the main BEP website messageboard. I agree that some of the info sounds suspicious, but I'm inclined to believe that most of it is true. We know that Stacy had abused drugs, and the article speaks to that fact. We also know that Stacy was ultimately quite unhappy in the group, and I would suspect that her negative feelings began to surface during the recording of Oxygen. I mean, let's face it - that album was the least popular even amongst us fans, and it hardly reflected the level of musical potential and vocal prowess from the first album. I distinctly recall that when the girls were interviewed on their main website peeps.com in 1998 shortly after the release of Oxygen, they were asked to name their favorite albums and singers - and Stacy consistently named hip hop artists such as Puffy, Mase, and Dr Dre. Yet the music on Oxygen was more comparable to Wilson Phillips and Expose! One can only imagine what Stacy was feeling at that time, the disappointment and disillusionment of having to live up to music industry standards (imposed by RCA in response to the success of bubblegum pop such as Spice Girls during their reign of 1996-1998, ironically the same years that WO released their albums) when she knew in her heart that
she just did not care for the music that she was forced to sing. Could any of us really blame her? What if we were put in a situation where our core values and personal talent were being controlled and compromised by our management? The more I listen to Oxygen and Fire and reflect on the hip-hop sound that Stacy is doing now (and obviously prefers), I can appreciate more and more the struggle that she was going through for so many years.

Now the outstanding question remains - did Stacy in fact date Justin? Well, didn't she reveal that answer in the FHM issue from last Dec when she was on the cover? According to her, they had briefly dated when she was 23 and he was 16. Again, this makes sense in light of the fact that both groups were recording in the same studio (Music Grinder in LA) during the early part of 1998, and they toured together after the release of Oxygen that same year.

Like the rest of you, I'm still waiting with baited breath for a response from Renee or Stef about WHAT REALLY HAPPENED to WO, their thoughts on the Oxygen and Fire albums, their opinions about Stacy's obvious distaste for what the group had become, and most importantly, what they plan to do next.

[unga]

Just to answer NPGMaverick's question, it does seem quite conceivable that Stacy prefers dating younger guys. Besides Justin, she openly admitted in her feature article in MAXIM magazine in Sept 2004 that she had dated guitarist Ray Brady (who played and co-wrote "Fly Away" from Elephunk) when he was 20 and she was 27. Then they broke up briefly and reunited last year, only to break up again. Now's she linked with Josh Duhamel from the show Las Vegas - but I think he's older than her!

[clio44]

Hehe well I know I'm not part of the band or even a fan (I've never heard them), so you all may just discard of my opinion but anyways, here it is:
it seems to me in the article (I read both the old one and this one) that Fergie may just be focusing on herself because that's why the interviewer is talking to her. Sure, she left your favourite band and all, but nowhere in the articles did she imply the band caused her to start drugs..... I don't know if you people know anything about drugs and/or addictions, but if she was already depressed, which can be caused by things other than members of a band by the way, her turning to drugs would be quite understandable (not smart by any stretch of the imagination but understandable). It sounds as if things in her life were not as she wanted -- that doesn't mean she thought the band wasn't terrific, she might've, it just means that she didn't feel right there. To be honest, it sounds like you all are just a tiny bit bitter for her having left and not spending all her time in the spotlight promoting a band of which she is no longer a part. This is HER fame, HER time in the limelight, not her ex-band's..... honestly..... It didn't do for her in 10 years what BEP did for her almost as soon as she switched, so to be blunt (and kinda rude, sorry in advance) they don't deserve the credit of making her who she is today.
About the drug issue, and the cover-up, that's really common. Maybe her friends DID bug her about it, but maybe she told them she was getting help already. Most people would stop there, and think "she admitted to me that she needs help, she's getting help, she's on the road to recovery."
"I'm feeling really alienated right now...I think I'll go get stoned!

See how stupid that sounds? " -- I'm not a mean person but this quote does not prove Fergie is stupid, just the author. You make light of someone's disastrous encounter with depression and drugs, making it seem trivial when it was in fact quite dangerous? -- way to go.
This same author goes on to say:
"What I really want is to get past biased and ignorant reporters and hear from Stacy/Fergie herself, because these interviewers and writers seem to have already made up their minds. They might be taking things she says out of context."
First of all, this is a bit hypocritical following the author's interpretation of Fergie's drug usage, but anyways, I'll leave that one be.
Secondly, you would prefer they interviewed her mother? her stylist? Of course they may be taking things out of context, that's what reporters do, but the thing is that everyone knows this and therefore *should* know to take quotes with a grain of salt. In the reporter's defense, at least the things they took came from HER mouth, and not some "reliable sources." (unless they're lying completely, which would be another story altogether.) I don't know that I got any impression from the reporter's article of being biased, either for or against her. "But the physical damage could not be hidden. "I really didn't care about myself or my looks and had a total loss of self-esteem. "" pretty much sums it up.

I realize many of the posts I read were probably from the old article and I hope the people having posted them have taken a less targeting attitude toward Fergie after having heard the article itself may be full of hoaxes. You should be happy for her! After all, you can say she was once in your favourite band. All you have to do is look around the music industry and see the amazing artists switching partners and bands -- it isn't always because of a falling out, just people want different things and want to go in different directions from each other. They don't deserve to be criticized for things so silly as not promoting the band they just left.

Wow, I just realized how long this is. I'm only just a passing BEP fan too, so I guess the posts must've hit a nerve with me. Sorry if I seem brash but I don't like injustices and I felt one was being committed here against Fergie and the good fortune she's had with her new band.
Take care all, and didn't mean to offend,
Gazelle

[ELLIE]

If any member here wants to openly criticize Stacy they have the right to.

[MARVY3013]

Its not that some of the fans are bitter they just feel bad for Stef and Renee because we know they have worked very long and very hard to be successful while still being true to themselves and their music, but then with Stacy it seems like she decided she just wanted fame as quickly as possible and yes she has that, but it just seems like it cost a huge price to get it, including to a lot of people, the person she was.

You also have to remember that some of the people on this board have been fans of Stacy’s and Renee’s since they were on Kids Incorporated and have watched as they have grown up both as people and as musicians. For a lot of the fans we sat by and watched as Wild Orchid started to gain momentum with their song “Stuttering (Don’t Say)” and were waiting on their new album and for the to become as big as we all knew they could be, when suddenly there is no album, no record company, and no Wild Orchid, then suddenly here comes Stacy after doing a complete 180 before the fans eyes, and as more and more comes out about what happened some people are still trying to figure out what to make of it especially since some of us have had similar things happen in our own lives with our family and friends.

[ELLIE]

Very well put. You were a lot nicer than I would have been!...lol I'm not in the mood to go totally ballistic, so, I left my first reponse just at one sentence. Short and to the point.

[clio44]

Very well put indeed
Like I said, I didn't mean to offend. Everyone certainly has the right to criticize anyone they want to. This was just an observation from a person on the sidelines here. I just wanted to point out that the expectation for her to promote a band she left was a little silly, so I thought maybe if you were to stop and think about that that it would open your eyes a bit to the biased nature of that expectation -- that's all I hoped for ....... like I said, I've never heard these other girls so I won't say they are great or aren't great, but I do understand the supportive mentality of fans and want to encourage you to stay true to your band and/or the individuals in it.
Unfortunately, doing a 180 is common in music and life in general like you all know, so I'm sorry if you feel Fergie did that (I don't know that for myself for sure), and can understand your disappointment. It's important to remember that she doesn't owe anything to those she's worked with, as much as they may have contributed to who she is as a musician or person. Keep in mind everyone has their own reasons for doing music, and Fergie's main inner reason may well have been to be famous and if it was she kept true to herself. Besides, it isn't like she isn't still doing quality music (in my opinion, anyways!).

So again, I just want to encourage you to keep the expectations real, the fan-base down-to-Earth, and the encouragement for those you like plentiful. Some changes are for the better, after all, and I'm glad to read most of you feel this was true for everyone involved when Fergie left.

Good luck to your band in succeeding where it sounds like they should, and good luck to all of you that your friends be true both to themselves and you. ;D

Take care,
Gazelle

[MARVY3013]

I think you may have misunderstood some of what I was trying to say about Stacy and her changing. I didn't mean for it to sound like anyone here was mad, or disappointed, all I meant was it caught a lot of people off guard, we all know that changing is a part of life, but it just seemed to happen over night and with articles like this one that have come out it has just left a lot of us with questions, which we know may never get answered. This topic has been talked about over 3 message boards and you have only read part of what has been talked about, if you were to read the rest of them you would know that no one thought Stacy would promote Wild Orchid, but everyone is upset/disappointed that she is choosing to act as if the 11 years she was with the band never happened. She has talked about being on tv as a kid and has made it seem that she did nothing for the years between that and joining BEP, or that the years she was with them were nothing but a living hell, that’s what saddens us. All I think any of us would like is for just to acknowledge that she has been in a band before, and that she made some great music before, and that being in a band with two people you have been friends with most your life isn’t that bad of a way to start your career, she may not be into that style anymore, she may not even be friends with them anymore for all we know, but that’s ok and its normal because taste change, friends change, people change, we all know that. And a lot of us do like the music she is making now, and still support her and the other members of Wild Orchid in everything they do.

I will say that I am glad you are talking to us in a mature and respectful way, it is much nicer then some of the BEP fans who have come to the Wild Orchid boards.

[ELLIE]

She does come off like she has amnesia when it comes to Wild Orchid. Was being in the band that horrible? To hear her tell it, she basically just stayed in the band to appease Stefanie and Renee. All I want to know is, if she didn't want to make that type of music and be in a band like that, then why the hell become apart of it in the first place? She could have saved herself the heartache and the breakdown had she not joined the band, but, I suppose it was meant to happen to teach her something about herself and about life.



As a side note, I'll continue to tolerate this thread as long as it stays peaceful and respectful. This forum is a place for people to come share their thoughts in a civilized manner. The second it becomes anything but that, I will ban anyone who wishes to disturb the peace on this forum.

[clio44]

Hehe if you were to read the last two comments, you'd think they were replying to different posts! That's okay, I realize people read things differently.
As I said before, I never intended to offend, or in any way discourage anyone from expressing their opinions.
I think I understand your plight a little more with your post, Marvy3013. It would be odd for her to just ignore those years of her life, but come to think of it, I guess it sorta makes sense..... for example, when we're kids, we go through so many stages and once we've just made the progression to the next level up (a.k.a. when we're EIGHT not seven!) we seem to try and distance ourselves from that time in order to prove ourselves now different. Maybe that's what Fergie's doing......?
I hope she doesn't ever downright insult Wild Orchid though she might be distancing herself from it. That would just be mean.
I'm really glad to read a lot of you like BEP now as well -- it's so healthy not to hold a grudge and so nice you are so supportive. I'm sure Fergie still cherishes that, no matter how else she's changed.
Take care all,
Gazelle