Since his escapes from rehab earlier this summer, there has been speculation that former “Jackass” star Bam Margera was placed in a conservatorship, which led to the “Free Bam” movement out of concern he was being ordered to do things against his will. The Margera family addressed the “Free Bam” movement earlier this week in a social media post, revealing that at the time he was in treatment and sharing details on who is making decisions regarding his health care.
“It’s no secret that Bam has struggled with mental health and addiction,” they wrote. “You’ve watched Bam grow up and supported him through his ups and downs. Our family has let you into the chaos that is our home, and we want nothing more than to continue this journey together. The ‘Free Bam’ movement has caused confusion and threat to Bam and our families. Although we love sharing our lives with you, some things need to be handled privately, and treatment is one of them.”
“Recovery is difficult and even more so under public scrutiny. Despite rumors, Bam has never been in a conservatorship but rather a temporary healthcare guardianship for reasons not shared with the public. If Bam chooses to speak to this, he will when he is ready. The ‘Free Bam’ theorists have encouraged his exit from treatment, despite their lacking knowledge of the details, his health and well-being. We kindly ask you to respect the process and our family. As our extended family, we ask you to support Bam in his recovery, to stay on track and wish him well with his sobriety. With heart, The Margera Family.”
Margera recently gave his first interview since completing a year-long treatment program (the few snags aside) for substance abuse. On a new episode of “Steve-O’s Wild Ride,” Margera talked about the last few years and said his infatuation with goth rocker Ville Valo of HIM influenced how he became an alcoholic. Margera directed a number of HIM music videos and HIM was heavily featured on “Jackass” and “Viva La Bam,” before Bam and band had a falling out.
“I am an alcoholic. I have been for a long time,” Margera told Steve-O. “I remember when I was probably 24, I was so mesmerized by Ville Valo from HIM… he would just walk down the street in Finland and girls would literally faint, sometimes guys too. So I would just follow his lead. I’m like, ‘He’s buying a pack of cigarettes, I’m buying a pack of cigarettes. He’s getting a beer, I’m getting a beer. He’s doing a shot of Sambuca, I’m doing a shot of Sambuca.’ Once he cracked open a beer when he woke up, that was the first time I’m like, ‘You’re drinking in the morning? In the daytime?’ He’s like, ‘Yeah, why not? Want one?’ I’m like, ‘Well I’m not gonna let you do it alone, but this is f*cking crazy.’ It was the first time I ever day drank.”
According to April Margera, Bam also struggled with bulimia trying to look like the HIM singer. “He always wanted to have this very slim, slim look and a lot of it kind of happened when he became good friends with [HIM vocalist] Ville Valo,” April said in an episode of Vice’s “Epicly Later’d.” “[Ville] is the loveliest man ever, but he never ate, he just drank. I think Bam started sipping on a beer or sipping on a something because he liked the way he looked.”
April continued, “We would go out to dinner and then he would immediately excuse himself and go to the bathroom. I said, ‘Are you throwing up?’ He says, ‘Yeah, yeah, sometimes I throw up and that way I’m not gonna get fat.’ It really hurts me when people make comments like, ‘You look like you gained some weight there. Hey, wow, Bam… you’re looking like your dad.’ I don’t respond, but I feel like saying, ‘He was drinking alcohol and he was bulimic and that’s why he was thin.’”
The “Jackass” franchise and Margera share a close connection with hard rock, punk and heavy metal, having featured various artists in their shows and movies. Some of Margera’s favorite bands were featured in “Viva La Bam” including HIM, CKY, Cradle of Filth, Clutch, Turbonegro, Slayer, Gwar and more. Billy Idol also made an appearance on an episode. “Jackass” also had a close connection to rock and punk and even released compilation albums featuring bands used for the show. Artists featured on the show and in “Jackass” movies included Andrew W.K., Agent Orange and The Misfits, among many others.
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