Video: Kendra Entered Mental Hospital at 15 for "Suicidal" Thoughts
Years before she shot to fame as a Playboy playmate, reality star and married mom, Kendra Baskett survived some dark, dark days as a troubled teen.
In her new E! True Hollywood Story (watch a clip above), Baskett, now, 24, says that she was "about 13" when she had her first experience with cocaine.
"All of a sudden [my friends] broke out this white stuff," she recounts. "I started feeling pretty good. That was the start of my drug days."
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By the time Kendra was 15, she was abusing drugs, "feeling suicidal" and "cutting myself," she says. After Kendra admitted to swallowing a "a half dozen or so medications" at school, her mother Patti decided to check her in for two weeks at a secured psychiatric facility.
"It was crazy in that place," Baskett tells THS. "We didn't see daylight. We weren't allowed outside. It was basically a jail, but it was a hospital."
Her grandmother, Mary, admits, "None of us had ever had a situation like that in the family. Her mother and I did a lot of crying."
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Yet the future star's hospitalization "did not change me at all," Baskett says. "I think it made me worse because in my heart I didn't want to change. People were forcing me, and that's something that does not work with me."
By her sophomore year of high school, Baskett was a runaway. "I was still on drugs," she says. "I met a guy and I ended up running away with him."
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That boyfriend was bad news, she admits now. "All throughout sophomore year I lived with this guy and I did drugs for that long. Every day, every minute."
Kendra's shocking True Hollywood Story premieres on E! Wednesday at 10 p.m. EST. Watch a video clip from the special now (above).
For more on Kendra and her life today as new mom, pick up the latest issue of Us Weekly -- on newsstands now.
Tell Us What You Think
73It is great that Kendra was able to rise above her past AND talk about it. We all have a past and that is what makes us who we are today. She seems happy and healthy and seems to have a great life with her husband and baby. Marabelle: You don't have to come from a troubled family to do drugs. You sound like you think you are so much better than anyone else because you have not fallen into that trap. Be thankful you never got involved in that stuff and pray for people who are.
Really Marabelle? I had a great religious upbringing and noone in my family ever tried drugs except for me. It was fun for me and it was a phase that didn't last very long and here I am now a mom of two and love my life. Don't try to talk about something that you don't understand.
It's not true that only troubled people do drugs and it doesn't mean you come from a bad background either. Some do them to fit into a crowd or are just experimenting, some try them once and get hooked, and then some get hooked by quack doctors. Lotsa reasons.
It seems like she is finally seeing the light. But gosh what a lost soul: drugs at 13, stripper, sleeping with an elderely man for money. either her husband is an fool or an angel!
Just b/c someone doesn't like a certain outcome (drugs) doesn't mean they don't like the person. Breann, ppl can comment whatever they want like it or not. if you don't like it then leave the boards. log off US weekly for a week. it will do you some good.
Kendra is great... she is a breath of fresh air. She is herself, funny and interesting. I love that she is not ashamed of who she is or where she came from. Man, ppl on here think their poop dont stink.... Everyone has a past, everyone makes mistakes and no one is perfect. Seriously, if you dont like her then dont click the link to her news. Serioulsy, she just had a kid and looks great! She is beautiful!!!
Something must've gone awry in her upbringing. Whenever you hear about someone who did drugs - take a look at their upbringing. I never did drugs nor did any of my family members. I come from a good family and always hung out with the right ppl my whole life. I can spot someone who doesn't fit my value system a mile away. Only troubled ppl do drugs, get involved in porn or the sex industry (stripping) and sleep with old men -- for attn, fame and money (not love).
She's pretty, but I wish she wouldn't have lived with Hugh and posed nude. I hope her life changes for the best now. Mental illness is serious and pure hell. It's not a joke. I would not wish it on anyone. It runs in my family. I wish Kendra good luck. I know a lot of people make stupid comments but all that matters is if she's happy.
After reading these posts, I'm thinking some of you are writing from a mental hospital :)
Ash. prove it that ppl you don't know are jealous. PROVE IT.
for the love of god
I can't believe some people are calling her "horsed-faced" , ugly or fat ! Kendra is a beautiful girl, who has a beautiful body ! She's funny, not stupid and she's gained a few pounds because SHE HAD A BABY . Sorry folks, but that's what happens when you reproduce ! I'm also wondering why people are using the "Why do people care about this girl?" routine, obviously you do, because you clicked on this link and watched the videos. Sometimes I just think people are jealous of a beautiful person, who's overcome a lot of obsticals in their lives. Get over it!
Who cares about Kendra and Hollywood, in general. They're all stuck up.
PlayThatFunkyMusicWhiteBoy, I don't know how you think what you wrote is funny or intelligent. It is MORE disgusting then Kendra could have ever done. At least her story is a true on, what is your excuse? Grow up and think...There are ACTUAL children out there that are hooked on drugs from birth. You must have something wrong in your head. Your mother must have drank heavily while pregnant with you.
hello
THIS IS FOR OUR COMMENTS- NOT YOUR THOUGHTS ONLY!
SHE'S NOT INSPIRING ANYONE. GET OFF THE AIR. YOU GOT MONEY NOW SO GO TAKE CARE OF YOUR KID. NOBODY WANTS TO HEAR ABOUT ALL THIS. IF YOU WERE SMART YOU'D KEEP YOUR FAT MOUTH SHUT BUT YOU ARE TOO STUPID TO REALIZE IT. MOVE ON WITH YOUR LIFE DUMMY.
That girl is garbage.
I guess Kendra has something in common with fat haters if she claims they're all fat and stupid cause she is too.
Just cus people don't like hoes don't mean they are haters.