From alcoholism to X Factor fame
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X Factor star Dean Ray.
Source: Supplied
X FACTOR favourite and bad boy rocker Dean Ray is a recovering alcoholic.
Ray, 22, told Confidential: “I drank heavily for three years to escape everything. I would drink to get away from the world and pass out. It was a great way to numb everything, but it’s not a great way to live.
“Not many alcoholics are successful.”
Melbourne-based Ray, born Dean Pritchard, sought help for his drinking problem when his parents staged an intervention last year.
His preferred poison was whiskey and absinthe.
“When I couldn’t afford the good stuff, I’d drink anything, really, cheap wine or whatever to get away from reality,” he said
His moment of clarity came in a hospital bed.
“I was spewing blood,” Ray said. “It tore the s— out of my stomach. I’ve still got ulcers.”
Ray’s parents flew their son back to the family home in Queensland to dry him out.
“I was pretty messed up. I don’t remember too much,” he says.
“It was the first time my parents had spoken since mum walked out the door six years ago. I thought that was nice.
“It made me get my s— together because they came together. They were there for me.”
Ray stole the show during X Factor auditions with his brooding version of the Kim Carnes classic, Bette Davis Eyes.
But is he on track for trouble like former X Factor winner and problem-plagued, Altiyan Childs?
“Nah, man, Altiyan was f—in’ crazy,” Ray laughed.
“They’re portraying me as the rock and roller and bad boy, but I’m not a whack job.”
Originally published as From alcoholism to X Factor fame
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