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Kavana reveals he was PAID for drug-fuelled sex amid addiction battle after ‘exhausting’ battle to hide his sexuality drove the 90s star to alcoholism

BBG News

1990s idol, Kavana, disclosed that he was once financially compensated for encounters involving drugs while struggling to conceal his sexuality amidst his music career, which proved to be exhausting for him.

In his upcoming memoir titled “Pop Scars,” scheduled for release on July 17, Anthony Kavanagh (also known as Kavana) offers a candid look into the challenging aspects of fame, revealing the less glamorous side of stardom.

At the tender age of 16, he achieved success through a string of popular songs like “I Can Make You Feel Good” and “Special Kind of Something,” which became hits in the latter part of the 1990s.

However, he’s openly shared the high price he’s paid for fame, as he struggled with substance abuse, including alcohol and drugs. This battle eventually led to his homelessness and a point where he acknowledged that he required institutional care.

Born in Manchester, Kavana got signed to a recording label during his teenage years, which led him to socialize with famous pop stars and embark on tours alongside Boyzone.

Despite having a large following of young women, the popular figure felt apprehensive about his sexuality becoming public knowledge as his fame grew, given he was perceived as heterosexual by his teenage female admirers.

During my unforgettable journey, I found myself in the thrill of a clandestine romance with the captivating Stephen Gately from Boyzone. Heartbreakingly, he was taken too soon by an unidentified heart condition in the year 2009.

In an interview with The Guardian, he opened up about concealing his sexuality, stating it was challenging, and alcohol often served as a source of comfort during those times.

Reflecting upon it now, the moments we shared seem almost surreal. They were a whirlwind of activities, draining as they were, yet I persevered because I felt incredibly fortunate to be experiencing them.

Shortly following his tours, Kavana found himself being let go by his recording company, which led to a rapid decline in his popularity. This unfortunate event caused an increase in his alcohol consumption.

After completing his tours, Kavana was released from his record label and his brief stint of fame came to an end, leading him to rely more heavily on alcohol.

Or even simpler: Following the conclusion of his tours, Kavana’s record label dropped him, causing his momentary fame to fizzle out and resulting in heavier drinking.

In the ’90s, a well-known figure made the choice to relocate to the United States, hoping to conquer the American entertainment scene. However, job opportunities dwindled, and he eventually confessed that he reached his lowest point when feelings of loneliness set in and he turned to alcohol and crystal meth for solace.

Kavana admitted that he started acting recklessly, often finding himself in compromising circumstances. One such instance was waking up in a stranger’s apartment, realizing he had been involved in a transaction of a sexual nature.

In his memoir, Kavana recounted the actual experience of finding himself in a stranger’s home upon waking, and the sobering recognition that he was compensated for a sexual encounter he couldn’t recall.

As a lifestyle guide, I’d like to share an insight from my personal experiences. I once found myself in a situation where I shared a moment with a homeless individual in Hackney, smoking crack out of a trash bin – a decision I deeply regret. In the heat of the moment, I trusted this stranger with my bank card to acquire more substances. Looking back, I now realize that it was a reckless act. If I could go back, I would advise myself and anyone else in a similar situation: never share your PIN code with a stranger, especially when under the influence. Safety and discretion are paramount, even in seemingly harmless circumstances.

After seven years without any money, he was compelled to relocate due to losing his own home, as well as his late parents’ residence, for which he had been making mortgage payments.

Kavana found solace in alcohol once more, gazing at the celestial bodies around him – Ant, Dec, and Billie Piper among them – as they transformed and flourished, leaving him feeling embarrassed and remorseful.

Previously famous singer began spending time with Amy Winehouse, another individual grappling with an alcohol issue, before she passed away at the age of 27 due to unintended alcohol overdose in 2011.

Kavana’s persistent issues with alcohol and drugs depleted his finances, eventually leading him to reside discreetly within a senior citizen-managed housing facility alongside his mother.

Following his efforts to attend rehabilitation and Alcoholics Anonymous gatherings, Kavana found himself compelled to enroll at a local employment agency in Manchester. His fear of being identified as the once-popular musician struggling with addiction led to a relapse.

After receiving a substantial settlement from a newspaper in a previously overlooked defamation lawsuit, Kavana checked himself into a private rehabilitation center, acknowledging that he felt the need for confinement due to his belief that alcohol would ultimately prove fatal.

Currently, he’s been abstinent for three and a half years, and during his initial year of sobriety, he penned his memoir titled Pop Scars. This work serves as a poignant reminder of the destructive path that alcohol led him down.

Kavana pointed out to the media that it feels peculiar to conduct interviews once more, given that he can now openly discuss topics like his sexuality and mental health – subjects we couldn’t delve into before.

The singer documented his 2022 entry into rehab after sadly relapsing a year earlier.

Last February 2022, he publicly expressed his apologies on Twitter towards his family, confessing that he had been untruthful due to alcohol addiction that had taken control of him, as expressed in an emotional message.

He spoke of his ‘mental struggles’, before signing off social media for the foreseeable future.

‘I’m heading to rehab today, yet again. It seems that alcoholism has tightened its hold on me. For a period, I might not be active on social media.’

To my remaining family, I apologize for not being honest about my situation. I’ve been dealing with significant emotional hardships. However, I bring good tidings: I am taking steps to seek the necessary help and support.

‘I’ll be out of reach on my phone for some time. Just wanted to let Clint, Aunt Angela, Aunt Maria, Brad know that I’m fine and sending lots of love your way! x’

Kavana’s new memoir Pop Scars will be released on July 17.  

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2025-07-15 15:04

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