Many fans of the supergroup, New Edition, were shocked to learn of the drug abuse of member Ricky Bell, the oftentimes quiet, soulful singer who is also a member of Bell Biv Devoe in the third and final installment of BET's The New Edition Story miniseries.
The first two parts were filled with entertaining drama, but the last installment revealed that Bobby Brown wasn't the only one who dealt with substance abuse.
In real life, Bell was not only addicted to cocaine, oxycontin, and alcohol but he also nearly died from a cocaine overdose and ended up in rehab.
Ricky shared on social media the one reason why he wanted his closely guarded secret to finally be told:
"I must tell you that your words of support & incredible love for me is only surpassed by my incredible love for you. I shared my closely guarded story of pain and addiction for the sole purpose of gifting hope and inspiration to those who may be suffering as I once did. It is my helping hand to you. Grab ahold and don't let it go... because I won't. With every fiber of gratitude in me, I thank you. God Bless Us All."
Played by Elijah Kelley, Bell first displayed his battle with substance abuse during the Home Again album cover shoot in 1996, where he washed down two pills with brown liquor. On the album’s accompanying tour in 1997 -- during which the entire group was in debt --- his addiction spiraled. Then, once New Edition left midway through the tour, Bell hit rock bottom, losing his house and other assets. “They’re garnishing my publishing,” he told his distraught wife. “There’s no more money.”
But the group had money issues from the beginning. Despite all their hard work and newfound fame, the "Candy Girl" stars didn’t earn enough money to move out of the hood because of a shady record deal. Even after having the #1 record in the country, their mothers were all still on food stamps, and the boys’ royalty check was a whopping $1.87--that's it, yet the group repeatedly selling out New York City’s Madison Square Garden (remember the lyrics, "record company people are shady!").
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“It was tough. It was humbling to go back home,” Bell says. “Your friends had seen you on TV. And we’re still going back to the same schools. We’re thinking we made it big, but we’re right back there.”
But what is incredible is the love that Ricky's wife, Amy, had for him during the whole ups and downs of his career, drug habit and sobriety.
Amy Correa Bell is an actress, singer, and model. The Puerto Rican, Guatemalan, Japanese and Jewish beauty married Ricky in 2004.
With finances being the number one cause of divorce during their money troubles, she stayed. With symptoms of drug abuse ranging from verbal and physical abuse, she stayed. Amy was the one to actually help get Ricky into a credible rehab program to get him sober. Yes, she's the real MVP.
Though New Edition patched up their tumultuous bond on-screen by the time they performed at BET’s 25th Anniversary Special in 2005, some underlying conflict still existed between some of the band members. And while those issues may not have resolved completely, Bell Biv DeVoe remains solid. The three-man crew released their long-awaited fourth studio album Three Stripes on Jan. 27th.
After reflecting on the life and times of their relationship, Amy penned this emotional message to her husband that read, "Thank you for your patience, your strength when I'm weak.
"Your belief in me when I had none in myself. And your unconditional Love. You are Gold and truly Heaven Sent. I love you @amycorreabell."
Ahead of the biopic’s premiere, New Edition received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. In November, the Undefeated published a piece that questioned why the band had yet to be nominated for the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame — an honor for which it’s been eligible since 2009.
Ralph Tresvant: Keeping The 'New' In New Edition
Ralph Tresvant sang and danced into our hearts and one of the lead singers of the legendary super group, New Edition. With songs like "Mr Telephone Man" and "Cool It Now," Tresvant and New Edition were a household name in the late 80's.
Ralph Tresvant was born premature on May 16, 1968 to Patricia Tresvant and Ralph Hall, Sr. Ralph grew up in an apartment in the Orchard Park Development of Roxbury, Massachusetts on #8 Adams Street. He says about growing up in the projects, "We were really poor and real pressured; but I had a strong family, and that's what helped me keep it all together."
New Edition once again became a household name with the 2017 three-night biopic of the group that aired on BET. The series broke ratings records and had everybody talking about Ronnie, Bobby, Ricky, Mike and of course Ralph.
Venturing out on a solo project, his 1990 debut solo album, Sensitivity, was released and the title track spent 20 weeks at No. 1 on the U.S. R&B Singles chart. The album also included the hit singles "Do What I Gotta Do" and "Stone Cold Gentleman."
Tresvant's vocals were also featured on songs on the soundtracks for the films Mo' Money ("Money Can't Buy You Love") and The Preacher's Wife ("Somebody Bigger Than You and I"). He made a cameo appearance in the popular urban comedy House Party 2.
"When I did 'Sensitivity,' it was a time when I wanted to show that it's cool to show you feelings to care about somebody," say Tresvant.
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Whether performing on his own or with the New Edition family, Tresvant says he tries to do the same thing on stage: to keep the crowd entertained.
"That's the 'new' in New Edition," says Ralph. "We always try to find something new or current or a new way to do something in order to keep it fresh every night in every city. That's what I do, that's what we do."
In the midst of doing something new, he still sticks to his core fan base. Ralph is obviously in shape and keeps his six-pack and slim build.
One magazine reported that Ralph still plays basketball in order to keep in shape and keep his endurance up on the stage.
Besides touring for nearly two-thirds of the year, the 49-year-old Tresvant loves spending time with his grandson (yes, he's a grandfather) who is nearly 4 years old now.
In the BET biopic, Tresvant is portrayed as Bobby Brown's closest friend in the group, and as a good-natured guy who....
...chose to share the spotlight and the solos despite having the best voice. That portrayal gets to the heart of what does seem to be true to Tresvant even now. He's a loyal, dedicated member of the band, and still reps New Edition to this day. He's also a generous person who's dedicated time to promoting and helping others. So even without a record-breaking solo career, Tresvant is still a valued New Edition member for both his musical skills and his great personality.
Tresvant currently hosts "Inside the Ride," a radio show in his native Boston that combines R&B, hip hop, and soul, genres that Tresvant should know very well from his many years in the industry. And according to the BASS radio station, Tresvant kicked off his debut on the station with a charity drive.
