Call Me Kat‘s Cheyenne Jackson Shares Emotional Sobriety Update: ‘After Nearly a Decade, I Fell Off the Wagon’
One of the stars of Fox‘s Call Me Kat is getting candid about his sobriety struggles, hoping his story may be able to help someone navigating a similar situation.
“Vulnerable is what I’m feeling today,” Cheyenne Jackson wrote in an Instagram post on Monday. “After nearly a decade of sobriety I fell off the wagon. I’ve been carrying a lot of shame. Scared to share it. But I know it can help someone so here I go. I didn’t want to disappoint anyone who has looked up to me as a sober person so I’ve been just burying it away. I took my eye off the ball. I stopped doing what I needed to do to keep myself on the path of my personal integrity.”
Jackson continues: “I could blame it on Covid. I could blame it on the state of the world. Mass shootings. A nation divided. The death of my co-star. But the truth is, I thought I had it all handled. I thought, ‘I got this.’ But I don’t. I am a work in progress. Always.”
He then thanks his “support system,” including actress Jamie Lee Curtis “and so many others” who have been there for him. “If you are out there struggling, you are not alone and there is a solution,” he concludes. “I love you. And I love myself today and that feels really good to say,” ending with the hashtag #progressnotperfection.
Jackson stars opposite Mayim Bialik on Fox’s Call Me Kat, which is set to wrap its third season on Thursday, May 4. A decision about a potential fourth season should be announced shortly. The co-star to whom he’s referring in his caption is Leslie Jordan, who died in January at age 67.
UPDATE (April 25): Less than 24 hours after sharing his story, Jackson took to Instagram to thank friends and fans for their outpouring of support. Watch:
https://www.instagram.com/p/Crd9Ikwpd0E/
Prior to being a series regular on Call Me Kat, Jackson’s TV credits included memorable roles on shows like 30 Rock, the new Saved by the Bell and multiple seasons of American Horror Story.
Thanks for sharing Cheyenne. I wish they had addressed this head on with Max like The Conners did with Becky. The character seemed to have a drinking problem earlier in the season but then they went away from it.
Oh and you’re getting ahead of yourself. The show is only in its third season.
I’ll try not to spoil anything too much, but it sounds like you might not be fully caught up on the season. They did address Max’s drinking and have him quit earlier in the season, and then the most recent episode saw him drinking again in response to things going on in the episode. I didn’t even know that Cheyenne was on his own sobriety journey, but assumed this meant it would be something they address with the character through the last few episodes of the season.
i know isolation during covid was rough for a lot of addicts who were struggling, when you are alone and you start focusing on all your insecurities, it can lead to a dark place. i wish Cheyenne and everyone else struggling to maintain their sobriety all the best
Wishing the best and only good things for Cheyenne in his day to day journey. May he continue in his noble quest for sobriety. Best of luck, sir!
Leslie Jordan died in October 2022. His character on Call Me Kat was given a happy ending in January.
And?
I hope his children are safely away from this drunk. He should never be allowed near them again
Wow….someone needs a snickers bar
Cheyenne you are awesome! We all have our bad days. You lift yourself up, dust yourself off and go on. Life is tough and ignore the rude comments. They are just jealous!