Lately, Jon Bon Jovi has been making a lot of headlines. Unfortunately, it’s not for his band’s upcoming tour—Bon Jovi tickets will be collected beginning Feb. 9 in Uncasville, Connecticut—or their pending album (Because We Can). Nor is it for sitting on the advisory board of the Hurricane Sandy New Jersey Relief Fund.
Jon Bon Jovi is making headlines because his daughter, Stephanie Bongiovi, was hospitalized in mid-November for an apparent heroin overdose.
A week later, Jon Bon Jovi told a local news station that the “tragedy was something that [he would have to] face.” He said he would “get through it” and thanked his fans for their support.
Usually, I say children are off limits. However, this story is important and deserves media attention (although I’d rather see more headlines about his involvement in Hurricane Sandy relief). Besides, Stephanie Bongiovi is the child of Jon Bon Jovi but she’s no longer a child. At nineteen she’s barely an adult but an adult nonetheless.
The general public needs to know about this incident for four reasons…
1) Even if she wasn’t the daughter of a major rock star her drug overdose is newsworthy (at least locally). Stephanie Bongiovi not only O.D. but she was arrested for drug possession. The public has the right to know who the police arrests and why. It should be noted that all charges against Stephanie Bongiovi were dropped. Is that another benefit of having a famous and wealthy father?
2) It’s the media’s job to be watchdogs of the wealthy and powerful. Granted, Jon Bon Jovi is pretty much the epitome of what we want in a celebrity, but he’s still not above scrutiny. His daughter’s overdose making the papers (to use an outdated phrase) may shed light on other issues that are far worse than a heroin overdose. We doubt it but it’s possible.
3) Say what you will about Jon Bon Jovi’s music, he is an artist. Many of his songs draw from his personal experiences. If he’s going to make himself vulnerable through his music, and reveal his deepest feelings, like all artists do, then his fans deserve to know the events behind his life experiences. If an artist bares their soul on stage, and shares their most private moments, they lose the privilege of privacy. Artists can’t have it both ways.
4) Drug use is a disease and the public needs to be informed when and how it’s spread. It’s especially relevant when someone as privileged as Stephanie Bongiovi overdoses. Knowing the reasons behind her use of narcotics—a person who seemingly has all the material possessions one could ever hope for—may help others stay away from drugs.
While this sordid story is legitimate fodder for news agencies it’s still the hope of decent people everywhere that she gets her life back in order and never does drugs again.
It is tragic if the rigors of her father’s career propelled her towards drug use. Having her plight broadcasted to the world is not insult to injury but the price she must pay for being her father’s daughter.
