15 Black Celebs’ Inspiring Sobriety Journeys

From Ari Lennox to Naomi Campbell, these celebrities decided to take back control of their lives

Photo: Getty Images Kevin Winter / Staff

Ari Lennox is the latest Black celebrity to bravely come forward about her journey to sobriety. While some celebs are now completely sober, others have just avoided certain substances that fell out of their control, and some have never partaken in any substances! Here are some Black celebs who have shared their stories.

Video will return here when scrolled back into view
That’s So Raven Dad Pleads For Donations From Hospital Bed

Ari Lennox

Photo: Getty Images Erika Goldring / Contributor

Ari Lennox revealed on Instagram in 2023 that she is seven months sober. Per her post, she doesn’t know if it will last forever, but she does know that she doesn’t want to get to a point where she depends on alcohol anymore.

Pharrell Williams

Photo: Getty Images Taylor Hill / Contributor

In an interview, Pharell Williams explained that alcohol is just not for him and has only partaken in weed and alcohol a handful of times his whole life, “Everybody else can do what they want, but that stuff isn’t for me. I’ve been drunk nine times in my life, and I ate some weed brownies once.”

Future

Photo: Getty Images Jerritt Clark / Contributor

In 2019, rapper Future shared that he was afraid to reveal his sobriety due to his music being full of references to drug use.

Naomi Campbell

Photo: Getty Images David M. Benett / Contributor

Between 1998 and 2005 supermodel Naomi Campbell struggled with an alcohol and drug addiction. After collapsing in 1999 at a photo shoot, she checked into rehab and started attending NA and AA to stay sober.

Jennifer Hudson

Photo: Getty Images Jeff Kravitz / Contributor

Jennifer Hudson claims that she has never had a drop of alcohol and has never tried any drugs. In an interview with Chelsea Handler, she explained that she’s never been interested in drugs and alcohol, and had to do extra research into the effects of both when it came to movie roles where her characters do indulge in those things.

Nicki Minaj

Photo: Getty Images Rodin Eckenroth / Stringer

In April 2022, Nicki Minaj posted on X a series of messages about her sobriety after a fan asked her if she was high and she responded, “I used to b happy when I was high. Now I’m happy when I’m sober. No judgment to anyone. Be gentle to yourself.”

The Weeknd

Photo: Getty Images Axelle/Bauer-Griffin / Contributor

In 2021, The Weeknd told GQ that he no longer used hard drugs but isn’t completely sober. The singer only drinks occasionally and smokes weed.

Samuel L. Jackson

Photo: Getty Images Slaven Vlasic / Contributor

Early on in Samuel L. Jackson’s marriage to LaTanya Richardson, Jackson struggled with drug abuse. His behavior was getting so out of control that he was moved to the basement of their brownstone home, and his wife called rehab facilities for him to join.

Tyler the Creator

Photo: Getty Images Christopher Polk / Contributor

Tyler the Creator has only tried weed twice and hated the experienced and has never been drunk telling Complex, “I know that I don’t want to be that drunk guy. But I do know I want to hit a jump on a dirt-bike. I can look at that and say: ‘I want to do that.’ I’ve never seen anyone drunk, like, ‘Damn, I want to be that.’

Tyra Banks

Photo: Getty Images Noam Galai / Contributor

Supermodel Tyra Banks once wrote to her fans in an email that she does drink, “I feel like I’ve been very lucky because I don’t really have an addictive personality. I’ve never had any drugs, and I had a little taste of alcohol when I was 12 years old, but that’s about it.”

Jada Pinkett Smith

Photo: Getty Images Amy Sussman/WireImage

Jada Pinkett Smith opened up about her past drug and alcohol addiction on Red Table Talk. She had moments when she wanted to quit after passing out on film sets or when other people noticed her habits, but it was a long journey. Today, she avoids even being around dark liquor but does have a glass of wine on occasion.

Kehlani

Photo: Getty Images Jamie Squire / Staff

Kehlani took to TikTok to announce that she quit using marijuana due to not being productive while using it and her body hating the effects, “I used to smoke a lot of weed and now I speak on it in a past tense perspective. I don’t think that I was using it correctly. I think I was overusing it. I wasn’t the most productive pothead…And also my throat and lungs were tired of me.”

50 Cent

Photo: Getty Images JC Olivera / Stringer

Although 50 Cent promotes his own alcohol, he does not drink it. In an interview with CNN, he said that he also never used the drugs that he used to sell. He also stayed away from drugs and alcohol due to seeing his family members struggling with addiction.

Kendrick Lamar

Photo: Getty Images Astrida Valigorsky / Contributor

Kendrick Lamar writes many lyrics about substance abuse and growing up around people that ruined their lives because of addiction, so therefore he avoids partaking.

Leona Lewis

Photo: Getty Images Robin L Marshall / Stringer

British singer Leona Lewis hates the taste of alcohol so avoids it altogether. She revealed in an interview that she drank nonalcoholic champagne to celebrate her debut single going number one on the charts.

Straight From The Root

Sign up for our free daily newsletter.

Latest from The Root

Some of the Wildest Recent News Events You Might've Missed

Some of the Wildest Recent News Events You Might’ve Missed

From Pam Bondi’s firing to Gucci Mane’s alleged kidnapping, these recent world events have certainly kept us on our toes! …
Eddie Murphy's Top Movies Ranked By the Box Office, In Honor of His 65th Birthday

Eddie Murphy’s Top Movies Ranked By the Box Office, In Honor of His 65th Birthday

Eddie Murphy is officially 65! In honor of his birthday, let’s take a look at his most successful films. You might be surprised at what made the cut! …
Dr. King's Favorite Pastime and More Little Known Facts on the Anniversary of His Murder

Dr. King’s Favorite Pastime and More Little Known Facts on the Anniversary of His Murder

Fifty-eight years after Dr. King was killed, let’s take a closer look at little known facts about the life and legacy of one of the most famous men in history …
Why Keke Palmer's Explanation Of a Shocking SXSW Proposal Is Something All Women Can Relate To

Why Keke Palmer’s Explanation Of a Shocking SXSW Proposal Is Something All Women Can Relate To

Keke Palmer is opening up about that shocking and scary impromptu proposal she received at SXSW. But her experience and explanation is sadly one that most women are familiar with …
Anti-Affirmative Action Groups are Now Coming for the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation’s Scholarships

Anti-Affirmative Action Groups are Now Coming for the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation’s Scholarships

An anti-affirmative action organization has filed a lawsuit against Congressional Black Caucus Foundation’s scholarships aimed at helping disenfranchised Black students …
Michael Jackson's Legal History Ahead of the New Movie

Michael Jackson’s Legal History Ahead of the New Movie

Ahead of his biopic, we’re laying out a full timeline of the allegations and legal drama surrounding the King of Pop …
Why an Ex-Syracuse Basketball Player Chose Deportation to Sudan

Why an Ex-Syracuse Basketball Player Chose Deportation to Sudan

John Bol Ajak is headed back home to Sudan after spending more than a month in ICE custody …
Brandy Shares Where She Stands Now With Brother Ray J

Brandy Shares Where She Stands Now With Brother Ray J

There’s been a lot of chatter from Ray J in the past about where things stands with his sister Brandy. Now she’s sharing her side of the story …
How One Black Man’s Journey for a New Eye Color Turned Into a Medical Disaster That Has TikTok Users Shook

How One Black Man’s Journey for a New Eye Color Turned Into a Medical Disaster That Has TikTok Users Shook

Since hitting streaming services this year, a 2023 documentary following a man’s journey to change his eye color is going viral on TikTok and leaving everyone shook …
Is Medicaid, Childcare on the Chopping Block?

Is Medicaid, Childcare on the Chopping Block?

During a private Easter luncheon at the White House, Trump told guests it’s just “not possible” for the country to pay for Medicaid, Medicare and daycare …
Everything to Know About Pam Bondi, the Loyal Attorney General Trump Just Fired

Everything to Know About Pam Bondi, the Loyal Attorney General Trump Just Fired

Here’s everything to know about the life and career of former AG Pam Bondi who was just fired by President Trump …
Inside the Killing of a Rising Florida Vice Mayor— And The Husband Now Charged With Her Murder

Inside the Killing of a Rising Florida Vice Mayor— And The Husband Now Charged With Her Murder

Nancy Metayer Bowen was weeks away from announcing a Congress bid. Instead, a wellness check revealed a nightmare, and a husband charged with her murder …
Black America Rallies Behind Justice Kentanji Jackson as She Shreds Trump’s Birthright Challenge

Black America Rallies Behind Justice Kentanji Jackson as She Shreds Trump’s Birthright Challenge

Ketanji Brown Jackson stood out from several justices appearing to be skeptical of the president’s argument against the Citizenship Clause in the 14th Amendment …
In Resurfaced Video, Wanya Morris Speaks Relationship With 16-year-old Brandy

In Resurfaced Video, Wanya Morris Speaks Relationship With 16-year-old Brandy

Boyz II Men member Wanya Morris is back in the hot seat on social media for some resurfaced comments he made about his past relationship with Brandy Norwood. Let’s get into it! …
Black America Reacts to Shocking Gucci Mane Kidnapping

Black America Reacts to Shocking Gucci Mane Kidnapping

Rapper Gucci Mane faced the unthinkable after he was allegedly kidnapped and robbed. And now folks online can’t stop talking about it! …
Black America Reacts to Trump Firing Attorney General Pam Bondi

Black America Reacts to Trump Firing Attorney General Pam Bondi

Black Twitter is buzzing with comments about President Trump’s decision to fire Attorney General Pam Bondi …
New Study: DNA Testing Could Be the Key to Saving Black Women With Breast Cancer

New Study: DNA Testing Could Be the Key to Saving Black Women With Breast Cancer

Led by Dr. Sonya Reid, a Black physician, a new study shows how DNA-based tumor analysis can help close the survival gap for Black women with aggressive breast cancer …
Why the Internet is Obsessed With This Black Woman's Disability-Friendly Recipes That Don’t Require Stoves, Knives or Standing

Why the Internet is Obsessed With This Black Woman’s Disability-Friendly Recipes That Don’t Require Stoves, Knives or Standing

No standing. No cutting. No problem! Meet the Black content creator who creates disability-friendly recipes that’s taking the internet by storm …
WATCH: The Wild Moment a Woman Tries to Ram 2 Chainz Off the Road 

WATCH: The Wild Moment a Woman Tries to Ram 2 Chainz Off the Road 

Rapper 2 Chainz’s regular commute included a wild confrontation with a driver who tried ramming his car— and it was all caught on camera …
Meagan Good Finally Responds to Skin Bleaching Backlash

Meagan Good Finally Responds to Skin Bleaching Backlash

Meagan Good is finally clearing the air and addressing the criticisms she’s received over past skin bleaching claims …