4 Most Famous, Cool, Succcessful, Bad Bad Girls of ADHD! And Another Myth Debunked.

[Bryan Hutchinson]

Is ADHD cool? It sounds cool, right? I think I answered the question best in my new eBooklet, but let’s consider these famous people:

 

Paris Hilton has ADD and revealed it on Larry King. She was already a millionaire from birth and she got into trouble. Since when is getting into trouble not cool? Especially if you’re a millionair? Girl did time. Give credit where credit is due. I don’t care what anyone says, I like Paris Hilton, always have and always will. Yeah, I said it. Besides she’s an incredibly astute businesswoman no matter what anyone thinks of her.

It’s one thing to be born rich, then be cut off, but to already have created several businesses that have made you successful on your own, rocks! Girl doesn’t get enough credit, I tell you. Her collection of perfume products alone has generated $1.5 billion since its debut. She even turned blundering into a brand on TV. Anyone who believed her antics on those TV shows was the real Paris got entertained into contributing to her empire.

 

It may be surprising and shocking to many, but Paris Hilton may well be the most successful ADHD woman ever from a business perspective. (I saw you cringe just now.) Seriously. How many female self-made Billionaires do you know of, with or without ADHD? But Paris Hilton’s business prowess is slowly becoming as well known as her past antics and she’s starting to gain tremendous respect in her own right. I guess her bad girl days are numbered. Good for her.

 

Britney Spears is now reported to have ADHD and she made herself into a millionaire, but sadly she went kind of off the deep end. But, with help, she’s back! Due to her ADHD, Simon Cowell is giving her extra breaks during the filming of the TV show X-factor. Too cool. According to reports because of doctor’s orders she’s not allowed to take her ADHD medication because of other medication she’s on, but she’s doing better than ever and looking healthier than she has in a long while.

 

If Britney is ready to sit next to Simon Cowell who you know is going to have the most brutal comments about mistakes and blunders, but is totally accepting of her ADHD – that’s pretty cool. I do hope this effort works out for her. But was she ever really a bad girl, per se? I don't think so and I don't think it is fair to label her as such just because she is so famous that her very public breakdown made her somehow "bad". Major kudos to those who stepped up and helped her get back on track. This might be a good example of what a good support system can do for someone with ADHD, even if that person is not allowed to take medication for the disorder.

 

Miley Cyrus was told in middle school that she probably has ADHD. She famously said: "If I were in high school now they would most likely tell me I do have one or both of those (ADD & ADHD?) and put me on some sort of crazy medication." She didn’t want to be on those crazy meds. As I blogged, those weren't a great choice of words. 

 

Is she really a bad girl, though? Her can't be tamed album seems to want to exclaim that she is. However, Miley actually seems to have it together and her “blunders” seem more contrived than real blunders (maybe that’s just my impression) – I mean, if she’s going to sing a song “Can’t be Tamed” but she’s been tame all of her life, things don’t add up. I like Miley. She’s definitely cool, but in the “I know I am cool” sort of way. However, why in the word she wants to be seen as "untamed" is beyond me. My advice to Miley, just be yourself. You’re a nice girl who seems to have tried to act "bad". That’s not cool, but being a nice girl and acting like a nice girl is cool and not to mention, you had much more success that way. Just say’n.

 

And all those famous naughty pictures of her? Think about it, all have come so close to the edge, but never go over the edge. Hrmmmm. Well, I for one applaud her for thus far not going over the edge and lately she seems to be leaving that behind. If so, good for her. She also sings one of my all time favorite songs "The Climb". Fine. I admit it.

 

Lindsay Lohan. OMG! I like Lindsay a lot – “The Parent Trap” rocked! But some reports say that she was misdiagnosed with ADHD and her medications for ADHD actually created the perfect storm (along with alcohol). If that’s true, she’s a great example to not take ADHD medication if you do not have ADHD. Or, if you do have ADHD, do not take ADHD medication and drink alcohol while on them. However, just because one doctor says she doesn’t have ADHD and another says she does, I think with all that has surrounded her the line has gotten very blurred. She recently starred on Glee and seems to have things together, but somehow she always seems to have things together on screen. She’s still very cool. I can’t wait to see her back on track and making good movies.

 

So there you have it, the bad girls of ADHD! They also happen to be the most famous girls on the planet. Go figure. Why’d I put this list together? Well, yes, even with ADHD people can be famous and successful. As a matter of fact, some, like me, believe ADHD might even be a contributing factor for the type of success these girls have had (and, of course, their mistakes, blunders and most embarrassing moments), especially since so much creativity is involved in the success they’ve had. Even so, ADHD still needs to be respected and treated as needed, even if part of that treatment is simply frequent breaks and a good support system.

 

So, pass the word, the myth that you can’t have ADHD and be famous and successful is debunked! Remember to get my new eBooklet The Myths of ADHD Debunked!

 

Who is your favorite? Who’s mine? Really, you have to ask? Paris Hilton, of course. She’s the first I ever blogged about way back in 2007. I supported her then and I support her now. I supported her when it wasn’t cool to support her (it still might not be). And yes, I supported her because she has ADD, too. Heck, I even wrote about her in my memoir. (And yes, I did try to send her a copy, but I don't think I was successful.)

(** There is one particular reason that I support the above women, especially Paris and I know many do not agree with me. I will repeat what I said in my original post about her in 2007. These girls are in the lime light and all of their flaws and possible ADD ADHD behavoirs are open for everyone to see. We talk about our social blunders, our communication errors and our embarrassing moments. These girls happen to have each and every one of those moments written about in the tabloids, in the newspapers and shown on TV. Everyone gets to see their social blunders, their communication errors and embarrassing moments and yet many loath them for those very mistakes. As someone who wrote me mentioned: what if our ADD ADHD mistakes and blunders were broadcast to the world? How would the world feel about us? That's why I support these girls and will continue to whether they are rich, famous or not. Just as I support males and females who are not rich and famous and make mistakes and have ADD ADHD moments. That's who I am and what I am about.)

 

~Bryan

[Bryan Hutchinson]

I agree, Sally. We should not excuse any behaviors. Simply understand them.

[Sally]

What I haven't heard anyone mention is these girls have made their own choice to be in this business.   With their choice and having ADHD is a double whamy as far as dealing with the world.  We have all said we wouldn't choose to be in their business and aren't.  I agree with you Bryan, they are not good role models but they like most ADDers have wonderful talents.  Like Dana (Hi Dana!) I also would have been one of those bad girls at that age and I look back at myself and cringe at some of my behavior.  I don't know for sure but would hope that with more awareness of ADHD these kids would have a better chance of survival than we did and would hope a better support system.  Do you think any of them go into the business knowing they are ADHD with the thought of wanting to be good role models and showing the world even with ADHD they can be successful?  I would like to think so but my gut says not.  Do you all think if this was about alcohol abuse vs ADHD would there be more compassion for there behavior?  Also, I don't look at them and excuse their behavior because they are ADHD it embarrasses me because I know for myself with proper education and learning and practicing better behavior their lives could be a little easier.

[Bryan Hutchinson]

Oh my, yep, I agree. Having our behaviors under the microscope for the world to see would not be much fun, but with the ADHD brain's love for attention might do much more! I agree with you. They are not yet great role models and maybe one day they will be. However, there are some who have a double standard of putting these girls down for their "bad" behaviors in the public while asking for understanding about ADHD, I just don't agree with. It makes it sound as though these girls are making moral choices to do the wrong things and has nothing to do with ADD ADHD. Then wouldn't that apply to all of us? Isn't that what many believe ADHD is? Just an excuse for bad behavior? Or is there something better about these girls that ADHD should not affect them? Not sure what the judgment is.

 

As for more famous women with ADHD, I did another post here: http://www.adderworld.com/blog1/2012/02/10/who-are-the-famous-succe...

 

Thanks for letting us know about Erin, Kelly, Suzanne, Lindsey, Salma, Whoopi and Jewel!!

Bryan

[Dana Arcuri]

Very thought-provoking discussion, Bryan! As for myself, I'm thanking my lucky stars that I'm not famous....or else I could have ended up on the bad girl list in my younger years. I could not imagine how tough it must be to have your life under a microscope 24/7. Every wrong move & poor decision is amplified for the world to view. Quite honestly, this would have caused me to lash out during my rebellious teens to give the world something to talk about! Hah!

On a serious note, I actually like every single one of these "bad girls." The coolest thing of all is that Britney Spears is following ME on Twitter....imagine that! Perhaps, she liked my girly girl style?

I decided to do a little researching to locate more famous ADDer females. Not all of them are considered "bad girls", but many are actually very successful. Here is the list I have compiled:

Erin Brockovich, the inspiration for movie with the same name who runs her own environmental consulting firm and is a popular public speaker. This woman has courage, guts and isn't afraid to go after what she believes in!

Kelly McCorkle, a legislative correspondent for Representative Jim DeMint (R-S.C.), is a former Miss South Carolina who made learning disabilities part of her pageant platform. Love this!

Suzanne Somers is an author, actress, singer & Las Vegas entertainer. Many recognize Suzanne Somers from her early days playing the ditzy blonde, Chrissy, on Three's Company. Currently, Suzanne has become a successful entrepreneur advocating health & wellness. Two thumbs up for Suzanne!

Other impressive ADDer females are Lindsey Wagner (Bionic Woman), Salma Hayec (Mexican born actress), Whoopi Goldberg (Actress & Comedian) & Jewel (Pop Music sensation).

[Bryan Hutchinson]

Hi Judy, very well said. It is nice that you caught the essence of what I was saying. What if we were in their shoes? What if everything we did was on grand display? How would we feel, how would we react? Somehow I think most of us do not like to see ADHD on display in their mistakes and blunders, but on display it is and gives us an idea of how outsiders view us and our ADHD behavoirs. If we can't support our own, then who should support us? They should be better role models? They still have ADHD. They have some growing up to do in that area perhaps and maybe they will become better role models.

[Judy]

I reposted this on my blog and added my 2 cents worth as well:)  http://addpositively.wordpress.com/2012/06/11/4-most-famous-cool-su...      

I like your spin on their actions and I like your non-judgemental way of seeing things.  Bravo!

[Bryan Hutchinson]

This will be added to the post to give perspective as to why I support these girls:

 

There is one particular reason that I support the above women,  especially Paris and I know many do not agree with me. I will repeat what I said  in my original post about her in 2007. These girls are in the lime light and all  of their flaws and possible ADD ADHD behavoirs are open for everyone to see. We  talk about our social blunders, our communication errors and our embarrassing  moments. These girls happen to have each and every one of those moments written  about in the tabloids, in the newspapers and shown on TV. Everyone gets to see  their social blunders, their communication errors and embarrassing moments and  yet many loath them for those very mistakes. As someone who wrote me mentioned:  what if our ADD ADHD mistakes and blunders were broadcast to the world? How  would the world feel about us? That's why I support these girls and will  continue to whether they are rich, famous or not. Just as I support males and  females who are not rich and famous and make mistakes and have ADD ADHD  moments. That's who I am and what I am about.

[Bryan Hutchinson]

Betsy, I think each person defines there own success. But in the business world a billion dollars is beyond successful by any measure. From what I've read Paris is very close with her parents and sister.

[Betsy Davenport]

Trading on your name and reputation for not wearing underwear to make a billion dollars on a product no one needs isn't my idea of going it alone, nor of success.  How do these women treat their employees?  Their children?  Their parents?  How big is their carbon footprint?  I don't define success by how much money a person makes; do you?

[Sally]

  The store was in Hollywood on Robertson Blvd were she had her opening on TV.

  It was the first store to carry her cloths!  Surely someone would know her or "Tinkerbell"? LOL

  Who do you think is wearing Tinkies little collars?