‘Beauty in Black’ star Richard Lawson reveals how a life-changing moment pushed him toward rehab and recovery

The actor reflects on substance abuse, recovery and the moment that inspired him to change the direction of his life.

Richard Lawson who’s associated with Netflix’s “Beauty in Black” is opening up about a deeply personal chapter involving cocaine addiction, recovery and the frightening experience that ultimately pushed him toward rehabilitation.

In a recently shared clip from an interview he did with Fox 5 Atlanta’s Portia Bruner for her “Portia” tv program, he recalled struggling with addiction while describing an encounter involving a famous person who has since died. Lawson said the experience became a turning point after what he described as being able to envision the deaths of both himself and the other person.

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“I had a revelation one night that I was with somebody famous,” the actor said. “I won’t mention who they are, they’re no longer here, but that night I saw both of our deaths.”

The experience left Lawson questioning where his life was heading. Rather than continuing down the same path, he said he entered rehab that day.

Asked directly about the substance involved, the actor disclosed that he had been “freebasing cocaine.”

The admission offers a glimpse into a period of substance abuse that Lawson now describes from the perspective of recovery. He also made clear that the decision to seek treatment came from a desire to change the direction of his life.

“I wasn’t … that’s not how I wanted to go out,” he said, before identifying themselves as “a recovering” addict.

The account arrives as “Beauty in Black” continues its run on Netflix. The Tyler Perry-created drama has expanded to three seasons, with the current season featuring an ensemble that includes Taylor Polidore Williams, Crystle Stewart, Richard Lawson, Terrell Carter and others. Netflix lists the series as a drama centered on an exotic dancer whose life becomes entangled with a powerful cosmetics dynasty.