The feeling of pain because of succeeding could be worse than the failure itself. This is a life experience that Mike Epps had lived through. The 53-year-old actor recently appeared in a podcast episode on “All the Smoke“. He shared how he experienced multiple episodes of guilt about his success because his other friends were not doing well.
“I’ve been through hell… I did most of the movies on cocaine…” said Mike on the podcast. He further recollected his time from ‘All About the Benjamins‘ and how he used to sit with his co-star, Ice Cube, and cry in his trailer. Epps mentioned Cube tried his best to console him and encourage him. “I’m sitting there wiping myself because I had survivor’s remorse,” the actor stated.
He further confessed that he was sad that he got famous and moved to the city, leaving behind some of his closest friends. He, however, wanted his friends to be happy for him, but they were mad at him. “So I said, damn, I got to destroy myself for you to like me. I was like, damn, my favorite ni*ga. It seemed like he liked me more when I’m coming down off coke and I’m crying and I hate myself,” said Epps.
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He recollects his favorite friends were all supportive and caring when he was down. However, every time Epps was not high or was working out and looking good, the friends would go back to asking Mike if he thought he was better than them. And it baffled Mike how his success could be a reflection of his friends’ failure. However, Mike Epps is not the only one who suffered from the guilt of surviving a difficult situation. In fact, there are various popular figures from various fields just like him.
Stars who suffered with ‘Survivor’s Remorse’
A player from the NBA community who went through a similar situation is none other than LeBron James. In fact, LeBron produced a show titled ‘Survivor’s Remorse‘ back in 2014. The show was loosely based on the King’s early success and how challenging it was to be the first family member to achieve it.
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Read More: How LeBron James is Changing Hollywood
Another popular name on the list is Ariana Grande. The 30-year-old actress has admitted to be suffering PTSD ever since the Manchester incident. She is said to be suffering from what can be described as survivor’s guilt, ever since the bomb attack on her concert in Manchester. The attack had claimed 22 lives back then.
Demi Lovato has never hesitated to open about her history with substance abuse. And neither has she hesitated from admitting survivor’s guilt ever since she lost her friend Mac Miller due to a drug overdose.
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What do you think is the worst of the two scenarios, not being able to survive a situation or being the only survivor to see your loved ones gone?
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