Entertainment
Miley Cyrus's Antics Put 'Bangerz' at No. 1, But How Successful Were Other "Troubled" Stars?
Miley Cyrus cooked up her highly publicized antics to get people talking about her new album, and it looks like her methods have worked. Her new singles currently sit at No. 1 and No. 2 on the charts, and her new album, Bangerz, is expected to top the Billboard charts next week. Miley may have effectively worked the media with her new "bad girl" image, but plenty of other pop stars' albums weren't so lucky when they had public breakdowns...
'Bangerz' May Go to Number 1
Miley Cyrus cooked up her highly publicized antics to get people talking about her new album, and it looks like her methods have worked. Her new singles currently sit at No. 1 and No. 2 on the charts, and her new album, Bangerz, is expected to top the Billboard charts next week. Miley may have effectively worked the media with her new "bad girl" image, but plenty of other pop stars' albums weren't so lucky when they had public breakdowns...
Mariah Carey, 'Glitter'
Mariah Carey's Glitter was a disaster in a myriad of ways. While filming and promoting the movie, Carey's behavior became erratic. She posted a series of veiled messages on her website, started acting strange during promotional appearances, did a PG-13 striptease on TRL, and was eventually hospitalized for exhaustion. But the soundtrack for the film, which was performed entirely by Carey, ended up debuting at No. 7 on the Billboard charts and had the worst first-week sales of her career.
Demi Lovato, 'Unbroken'
Demi Lovato recorded her album Unbroken during her public personal struggles, namely when she withdrew from the Jonas Brothers tour after punching a female back-up dancer in the face. Lovato then entered a rehab facility, citing bulimia, self-injury, self-medicating with drugs and alcohol, and ultimately a "nervous breakdown." Lovato was diagnosed with bipolar disorder during her treatment, and released Unbroken nine months after she was released from treatment in January 2011. Unfortunately, Unbroken only peaked at No. 10 on the Billboard charts.
Christina Aguilera, 'Stripped'
Y'all think Miley Cyrus was the original wannabe bad girl? No way. Christina Aguilera gave herself a PR makeover much earlier when she dyed her hair black, started wearing more provocative clothes, got tattoos and piercings, and started calling herself "Xtina." She even posed nude on the cover of Rolling Stone. But her image makeover worked, and her new album, Stripped, debuted at No. 2 on the Billboard charts and went quadruple platinum.
Britney Spears, 'Blackout'
But of course, nobody did it bigger than Britney. The pop star shaved her head, went to several rehab facilities, and lost custody of her children to Kevin Federline during before the release of her fifth album, Blackout. Despite all of her struggles, the album still debuted at No. 2 on the Billboard charts.
