It seems that maybe wealth and fame does have the ability to change a person after all.
The outwardly shy and innocent Olympic Gold winner Michael Phelps seems to have a party animal side to his personality.
Ever since he won in China last year, the 14-time gold medal winner has been seen and photographed, in public, bars, universities, and just about everywhere else - getting a buzz on.
Numerous sightings and reports have surfaced of his out of control drinking in VIP rooms and late night parties, and a growing number of comments from those around him seem to paint a picture of someone who is out of control.
The latest problem for the new celebrity is a widely circulated picture of him smoking pot from a bong.
One party crasher who saw his actions told the
News of the World: "He was out of control from the moment he got there. If he continues to party like that I'd be amazed if he ever won any more medals again."
Phelps' people are in a panic over the picture; fearing advertisers will dump the swimming sensation. As Olympic officials have vowed to crack down on drug abuse, it could also cost him any chance of competing in the next series of games.
His commercial endorsements are managed by 'Octagon', who deals with big brand companies around the world. They admitted to reporters that the use of pot would be "a major taint" on his career.
Drinking has got him in trouble before. In 2004, at age 19, he received eighteen months of probation for driving while drunk and underage.
He has been on every magazine cover in the free world, hosted Saturday Night Live, appeared on The Colbert Report, Live with Regis and Kathie Lee, The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, Entertainment Tonight and a Barbara Walters special.
He has also tried his luck at series television with guest appearances on Entourage, 24/7 Chicago, The Apprentice and Rome Is Burning.
Time will tell if the star athlete can pull himself out of this mess, or if he will fade away as another lost sole caught up in the world of the rich and famous.
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