Harry Potter the Boozehound?

Enter Lindsay Lohan references.

Daniel Radcliffe, who we watched grow up before our very eyes, did a really revealing interview with GQ magazine wherein he claimed to “beat” a pesky alcohol problem. Daniel says:

“I became so reliant on (alcohol) to enjoy stuff. There were a few years there when I was just so enamored with the idea of living some sort of famous person’s lifestyle that really isn’t suited to me.”

Radcliffe admits he is glad the paparazzi never caught him misbehaving, and he has now turned his back on his wild ways to concentrate on a calmer lifestyle. The actor gave up alcohol last August and is now sober.

He adds, “I really got away with that because there were many instances when a shot like that could have been taken. I’m actually enjoying the fact I can have a relationship with my girlfriend where I’m really pleasant and I’m not f*cking up totally all the time. As much as I would love to be a person that goes to parties and has a couple of drinks and has a nice time, that doesn’t work for me. I do that very unsuccessfully. I’d just rather sit at home and read, or talk to somebody that makes me laugh. There’s no shame in enjoying the quiet life. And that’s been the realization of the past few years for me.”

Is anyone else completely surprised by this, but also not surprised the least bit? Just because the kid grew up across the pond doesn’t exempt him from having a, sorry, Lindsay Lohan-type childhood, with the exception of the psychotic, fame-whoring parents, and throng of enablers. I’m glad Daniel’s got his shit straight, but it’s a shame that at the young age of twenty-one he went through things that made him realize this.  However, better now than later when it could have been more of a problem.

Daniel’s advice?:

“Don’t try too hard to be something you’re not.”

I think I’m going to go and watch The Sorcerer’s Stone and have a good cry over lost innocence.