Actress Christina Applegate has opened up about a pivotal moment from her youth in her memoir, “You With the Sad Eyes”, revealing a surprising incident from the 1989 MTV Video Music Awards. In the book, Applegate reflects on how she left actor Brad Pitt, whom she had brought as her date, to leave the event with rock star Sebastian Bach, frontman of the band Skid Row.
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At the time, a 17-year-old Applegate was enjoying the spotlight from her role in the iconic sitcom “Married… with Children”. Dressed in a stunning Ceil Chapman gown, she felt a sense of empowerment that evening. However, her decision to leave with Bach instead of Pitt would lead to lingering consequences in their friendship.
In her memoir, Applegate recalls how, even though she and Pitt had been friends for years, the choice to abandon him at the awards ceremony strained their relationship significantly. “He was very mad at me,” she writes, elaborating that they did not communicate for several years following the incident. It was a moment of youthful recklessness, which Applegate now approaches with a sense of maturity, recognising that she was just a child back then.
Applegate notes that Pitt was still emerging as an actor at that time and had not yet reached the iconic status he holds today. The actress comments that he was “still making his way” in Hollywood, not yet having secured the fame that came later with his role in “Thelma & Louise”. This context adds a layer of intrigue to the story, considering both stars’ careers have significantly evolved since that night.
Reflecting on the aftermath of her decision, Applegate describes Pitt’s post-award duties, which included driving her mother and a friend home solo after she ditched him. In her book, she candidly acknowledges the hurt she caused Pitt, noting how they eventually reconciled their friendship. “Eventually, we agreed that I’d been a kid, and though he’d deserved much better, it was time to forgive the child who dumped him for the lead singer of Skid Row,” she writes.
In a previous interview on “Watch What Happens Live” in 2015, Applegate was asked about the incident but remained coy about revealing Bach’s name. Andy Cohen had posed a question about her rumored crush from that night, and while she confirmed the other man was famous, she did not disclose any details about the aftermath, insisting they had not dated beyond that evening.
“You With the Sad Eyes” covers much more than this defining moment, delving into Applegate’s life, touching on themes of childhood, difficult relationships, motherhood, and her personal battles with breast cancer and multiple sclerosis. In a recent conversation with PEOPLE, she clarified that her memoir is not solely a source of inspiration for readers but offers a raw reflection on personal experiences.
Applegate said, “We all have come from somewhere, some places more painful than others, and it’s what you do with it, I guess.” This perspective showcases her growth and the lessons learned over the years, despite the challenging experiences detailed in the memoir.
The book has garnered attention not just for its candid anecdotes about Hollywood’s past but also for its deeper message regarding personal growth and resilience. “You With the Sad Eyes” is now available for purchase, giving fans and readers alike a chance to gain insight into the life of a talented actress who has navigated both the highs and lows of fame and life itself.