Ione Skye’s Memoir: A Journey Through Fame and Relationships
Actor Ione Skye, recognized for her iconic performance in the 1989 film Say Anything, is revealing intimate details of her life in her latest memoir, Say Everything. At 54, Skye takes a reflective look back at her early career, beginning at the age of 15 when she starred in River’s Edge alongside Keanu Reeves, and later featured alongside notable actors such as River Phoenix, Matthew Perry, and John Cusack.
Reflections on Youth and Fame
Skye recalls her youthful years in Hollywood with mixed emotions. “When I look back on the pictures, I almost can’t take in how young I look,” she stated, expressing the bittersweet nature of her rise to fame. Her memoir also delves into the complexities of her early relationships.
High-Profile Relationships
One significant relationship highlighted in the memoir was with Anthony Kiedis, the frontman of the Red Hot Chili Peppers. Their romance began when Skye was only 16 and Kiedis was 24. In her memoir, she reflects, “I liked the idea of this dangerous dark prince of a rock n’ roller,” acknowledging how her views on that relationship have evolved over time.
Skye admits to feeling a mix of nostalgia and regret regarding her past, saying, “It shocks me. And I also feel bad for myself… I wish I’d met them ten years later and never dated them.” Kiedis has been open about his struggles with addiction, and Skye revealed that her desire to help him played a role in her decision to stay in the relationship. “I thought I had to save him,” she explained.
Marriage and Heartbreak
Following her relationship with Kiedis, Skye married Adam Horovitz of the Beastie Boys at the tender age of 21. However, their union ended after seven years, primarily due to her infidelity with other women. This chapter remains particularly painful for Skye, who remarked, “I discovered writing this book, it was very clear that I’m not good with grief. I’m not good with loss at all.” She described the emotional toll of the relationship’s end, noting the difficulty in listening to Beastie Boys music, equating it to a sense of loss.
The Impact of Family and Absence
Much of Skye’s narrative is influenced by her complex relationship with her father, Scottish singer Donovan Leitch, who was absent during her early life. Skye shares, “Hearing his beautiful music was very painful sometimes because it’s hard to see someone do beautiful art and think, ‘Where is that for me?’” This section of her memoir reveals a painful moment when Leitch’s attorney sought a paternity test after Skye had already gained success, underscoring the emotional distance in their relationship.
Parenting and Personal Growth
As a mother, Skye had a moment of realization while pregnant and navigating her breakup with designer David Netto. “I was in the shower, pregnant and sobbing because it was so stressful. And then I thought my mother probably was pregnant with me in a shower in 1969,” she recounted, illustrating how generational patterns can repeat.
Now residing in Australia with her husband, musician Ben Lee, and their family, Skye finds comfort in sharing similar experiences of early fame. “Our careers were really big when we were teenagers,” she notes, acknowledging the complexities of maintaining success.
A Journey Towards Healing
Skye recently visited her father and stepmother in Ireland, an experience she described as healing. Additionally, she connected with her father’s legacy through her involvement in the film Zodiac, which features one of his songs.
Ultimately, completing her memoir became a significant step in her journey towards self-acceptance and forgiveness. “I felt very proud. I felt like I learned a lot about myself,” Skye reflected, emphasizing her growth throughout the writing process.
