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Kings of Leon Singer Admits Anorexia Struggle

Kings of Leon frontman Caleb Followill admits he battled with anorexia as a teenager, with incessant exercise and minimal food intake.

"I always thought that I wasn't good enough," Followill tells Q magazine. "I'd do anything to keep my hands and mouth busy without eating." Followill says that he'd do push-ups to the point of exhaustion, and jog in blazing heat while wearing a heavy tracksuit to sweat off pounds. His diet? Coffee.

However, Followill says that he's since overcome confidence issues and has a newfound perspective.

"I want to look like I can defend myself," he says. "I want a guy to look at me in a bar and know he can't talk s--- to me or run me over -- even though he probably could."

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envied by none91

Such a sad story. Too bad some of the comments above were so heartless and careless about such a serious and potentially deadly disease.

February 11 2009 at 1:47 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
kelley

Go to hell ignorant homophobes. So many idiots here.

January 13 2009 at 7:00 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
patty

I love them! i've seen them live and they LOVE what they do. Sweetest guys. Listen to Kings of Leon!

January 11 2009 at 12:06 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Darryl

Basically, who cares if he is GAY or not? Let's turn our attention to ending the war, the economy, how about a cure for breast cancer, or A.I.D.S, his sexuality is his, and HIS ALONE.

December 07 2008 at 11:21 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
ponderousroman

Rockers are expected to wear skinny jeans and be super sexy examples of humanity. Most people who become rock stars have wanted to be rock stars since they were kids or teenagers. So it is only natural that as he was developing his look and practicing his instruments he felt self conscious in a way that is less common among males but not unheard of.

December 07 2008 at 10:25 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
ready to kill brad the coward and aol

Does this announcement coincide with an album release? I've never heard of this group until today. Merry Christmas everybody!!!

December 07 2008 at 10:18 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Belinderrr

i've been struggling with the same thing & bulemia, im shocked he actually wanted to stop, its too hard

December 07 2008 at 9:50 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Wiley

Hi. I suffered from anorexia and then bulimia for years and am just now managing it (you are never fully recovered). I commend a celebrity like Caleb to go public, because eating disorders in men are rarely mentioned, though men do account for around 10% of ED cases, and that's too many! Even if just one guy reads about this and seeks treatment, that's huge. My ED led to major depression, hopelessless, frequent suicidal thoughts, isolation, major money problems. So kudos to Caleb for bringing this out in the open!

December 07 2008 at 6:13 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
1 reply to Wiley's comment
Lynds

Thats really encouraging Wiley, same here in fact... its an uphill battle worth every moment yet @ times so overwhleming

December 07 2008 at 8:05 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
sabdulhadi

MY SON IS FIGHTING THIS DISEASE FOR THE LAST 4 YEARS. FINALLY IN RECOVERY. GREAT FOR CALEB, IT IS A LIFELONG DISEASE AND I WISH HIM THE VERY BEST!

December 07 2008 at 5:25 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
1 reply to sabdulhadi's comment
Wiley

Hi. I just saw your post right above mine. I'm glad your son is in recovery and I wish him all the best.

December 07 2008 at 6:16 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
phatsean23

He was probably so sick of looking at the obese majroity that he over-reacted in his quest to stay healthy.

December 07 2008 at 2:28 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply