The Dark Side of the Entertainment Industry

The creative industry may seem like a lot of glitz and glam, but it is also riddled with mental illness, depression and substance abuse.

Many creatives relate that being in the spotlight comes with a lot of pressure and judgement from others, which drives some to the dark side of the entertainment industry.

With the year almost coming to an end, this week unWrap.online spoke to artists about how the use of alcohol and drugs affects the entertainment world.

Veteran musician Naftalie Shigwedha, commonly known as D-Naff, said each generation of musicians has seen its share of tragic stories linked to drug and alcohol abuse, especially when battling mental illness.

“When musicians suffer mental illness they turn to drugs and the abuse of alcohol. Because most events and shows are done at night, musicians find themselves exposed to drugs in bars and clubs, making it easier to be high and to fall into the temptations,” he said.

Often, pressure from music labels and fans further creates depression, which also leads to the abuse of substances, he said.

Pointing out the negative impact of the nightlife, D-Naff said performing at night can throw a musician’s bodily system off and many believe drugs can help inspire them, boost energy or help them chill out.

“Drugs and alcohol have affected our industry so much that those we have lost, left an irreplaceable vacuum that is clearly being felt,” he said.

Meanwhile, dancer Hillary Shiimi said the entertainment industry is faced with a lot of challenges which push artists to alcohol and drugs.

“Many creative artists are affected by the stresses of the industry, it could that they are constantly performing for free and they have bills to pay, some are paid but not enough to sustain themselves,” she said.

She added that there is no typical face of a drug user, as it can affect anyone – from those on street corners to professionals.

“The Namibian music and art industry has grown to be one of the disciplined industries in the world, in terms of drug use, with a low percentage of drug overdose cases. This, however, does not mean that the need to spread awareness around music and drugs is not a necessity. The limelight can take a toll on your mental health when everyone expects you to be this bowl of perfection, especially for women,” she said.

Actress and singer Bianca Heyns said she has been in the industry for over 15 years and believes what has pushed many artists to drug and alcohol abuse is their dependency on gigs and a lack of support from a corporate perspective.

“I, for one, have always been a disciplined artist in terms of work, so I kept the balance, but I know for a fact that the entertainment industry is very challenging in terms of the inconsistencies of gigs. There was a time where I was solely reliant on gigs to support myself and it was no longer something that I loved but something that I needed to do, and that is where the challenge comes in, in terms of mental health and overall well-being, especially after Covid hit,” she said.

This situation has forced many artists to take day jobs and do music for fun.

Expressing disappointment about the growth of the industry, Heyns said the world of entertainment has lost some good artists due to alcohol and substance abuse.

“They found themselves not in a good place mentally and somehow found solace in drugs and alcohol, to the point where some fully gave up and lives were lost in the process. The music scene has also changed so much and if you are not disciplined in terms of finding a balance between work time and play time, you will get used to the party life and in the process lose yourself,” she said.

Lamenting the government’s lack of support, D-Kandjafa said stress and poverty drive artists to abuse alcohol.

According to him, poverty rather than drugs and alcohol bring out the dark side of entertainment.

“Most artists are talented but don’t get rewarded for it. The little money they get, they use it to buy alcohol because we also want to be happy and if the alcohol makes us a little happy, we will drink it. So, as an artist, I would rather follow these guys with bars who pay us that little money and give alcohol for free, so what you are paid is used for something important.

“People are considering international artists over us, how do we make money? What is so special about international artists anyways? People are stressed, so they buy drugs and alcohol,” he said.

D-Kandjafa said artists are often only remembered when it comes to political campaigns.

There is a huge need for serious intervention, he said, labelling the Namibian Society of Composers and Authors of Music (Nascam) as a “useless” organisation.

Dancehall musician Don Kamati described the use of alcohol and drugs as the worst phase to ever be trapped in.

He believes peer pressure remains the primary driving factor.

“Some people end up using drugs and alcohol because of the pressure of wanting to fit in. We also don’t take our mental health seriously, that’s why most of the time, we are not in our best space. It is very easy to get lost in this dark side of the industry and I have seen a lot of artists who are also my peers, who due to substance abuse are unable to deliver to their full potential.”

Fidel Nambundunga is currently working with artists who have fallen victim to drug and alcohol abuse, with the aim of revamping their music careers. Although no names were mentioned at this point, he said many of these individuals are very talented but went through mental health and life struggles, failing at their careers and almost losing their lives.

“Each one of them has a story to tell based on personal experience about how drugs, alcohol and sex became their best friend. With this new musical work, it’s a hope that things might turn around through performances and income sources. They will also be going through counselling with the Red Cross. So, we are looking at how they can share their story prior to the musical releases.”

In the world of creativity and artistry, many artists find themselves caught in the tumultuous currents of society. Their work, though a reflection of their passion and ingenuity, can be underappreciated and, at times, undervalued.

Talented choreographer Stanley Mareka, also known as African Cobra, sheds light on the challenges faced by artists, the struggle for financial stability, and the pressing need for mental health support in the creative industry.

He believes that recognition and visibility are vital aspects of an artist’s well-being, advocating for education and empowerment to sustain their livelihoods.

“Mental health is very important. Recognition needs to be visible or the industry doesn’t provide financial stability. We need experts and workshops. We need minds that understand the business. Even if you give funds or grants, artists will feel a momentary relief but won’t survive. We need educational help; we need empowerment.”

Social worker Veronica Theron said in order to better the industry, there is a huge need to encourage, help seek and offer psychosocial support and psychological treatment for artists in need.

She, however, noted that with a large shortage of social workers and state psychologists, the country is facing a bleak outlook.

“We need scholarships and bursaries to train more mental health practitioners, and more private practitioners to provide pro bono services to those with no medical aid,” she said.

– unWrap.online

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