HOLLYWOOD, Calif. — Mischa Barton has revealed that she quietly checked into rehab following her arrest late last year for driving under the influence.
HOLLYWOOD, Calif. — Mischa Barton has revealed that she quietly checked into rehab following her arrest late last year for driving under the influence.
The former “O.C.” star was arrested on Dec. 27 in West Hollywood when authorities witnessed her car straddling lanes and failing to signal for a turn. In April, Barton was sentenced to 36 months probation, alcohol education classes and a fine.
“I wanted to prove to the court that I would take it completely seriously, so I went to rehab to prove I was sober,” the 22-year-old actress reveals in the September issue of the U.K.’s Marie Claire. “It really helped in getting the more serious aspects of my case dropped because, you know, that’s what they want to hear; you’re not an alcoholic and you don’t have a problem. So I did it in the most low-key way possible — I didn’t make a fuss about it and I didn’t tell a lot of my friends. I just did the program and got through it.”
Barton, who has since apologized repeatedly for her actions, says she’s still not over the fact that she let herself down.
“The thing is, I hate drunk drivers,” she tells the mag. “Living in L.A., I can’t stand them, and that’s why I was so disappointed in myself. It’s so not worth it when you put other lives at risk.”
In addition to letting herself down, Barton says the incident proved tough on her parents.
“Even though, in a lot of ways, my upbringing has been quite liberal, something like that is embarrassing and appalling for my parents,” she explains. “It was a surreal experience and I was shocked at how much press it made, but the thing is, I apologized — and you just have to hope that that’s enough, because what else can you do? I’m just living life, and people make mistakes, you know?”
While her arrest set off a tabloid frenzy, Barton says she’s not one for a little light reading.
“I don’t look at the gossip Web sites — it’s unhealthy and I think it’s a large part of what drives people in L.A. crazy,” the London native says. “I’m an actress. I’m in this to find the next great project and think about all the positive things I’m doing. The fact is I’m having a real life with friends and being a normal human being.”
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