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Colton Haynes announces first memoir – a tale of ‘lust, abuse, addiction, stardom, redemption’

"I'm crying while I’m typing this."

By Jamie Tabberer

Words: Jamie Tabberer; photography: Leigh Keily

Colton Haynes has revealed the cover and title for his upcoming memoir.

The actor – who recently set the internet ablaze with a fantastically-written New York magazine essay on his experience of Hollywood – has named the 256-page book Miss Memory Lane: a nickname given to him by friends.

The 33-year-old, whose screen credits include Arrow and Scream Queens, will release the book next May.

“This book is my self-portrait'”

In a recent Instagram post, the Teen Wolf star said: “I still can’t believe this is actually happening. Here’s the cover of my memoir, Miss Memory Lane, out May 31 2022 w/ @atriabooks @simonandschuster.

 
 
 
View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Colton Haynes (@coltonlhaynes)


“In case ur wondering about the title…It’s something friends have called me for years. It’s painfully accurate lol. I’ve always been addicted to nostalgia, maybe because it lets me retreat into my memories so I can avoid living in the now.

“I’ve spent a lot of my life being seen through the lenses of other people. This book is my self-portrait 🙂

“Of course I’m sitting here crying while I’m typing this lol…not only because I haven’t slept in years…but also because I’m really proud of this book. I’m terrified, but I can’t wait for yall to read it!!! The Pre-order link is in my bio…If I figured out how to do it correctly lol [sic].”

A synopsis for the book on the Simon and Schuster website calls the book a “brutally honest and moving memoir of lust, abuse, addiction, stardom, and redemption.” 

It adds: “Four years ago, Colton Haynes woke up in a hospital. He’d had two seizures, lost the sight in one eye, almost ruptured a kidney, and been put on an involuntary psychiatry hold. Not yet 30, he knew he had to take stock of his life and make some serious changes if he wanted to see his next birthday.

“As he worked towards sobriety, Haynes allowed himself to become vulnerable for the first time in years and with that, discovered profound self-awareness. He had millions of social media followers who constantly told him they loved him. But what would they think if they knew his true story? If they knew where he came from and the things he had done?

“Now, Colton bravely pulls back the curtain on his life and career, revealing the incredible highs and devastating lows. From his unorthodox childhood in a small Kansas town, to coming to terms with his sexuality, he keeps nothing back.

“By 16, he had been signed by the world’s top modeling agency and his face appeared on billboards. But he was still a broke, lonely, confused teenager, surrounded by people telling him he could be a star as long as he never let anyone see his true self. As his career in television took off, the stress of wearing so many masks and trying to please so many different people turned his use of drugs and alcohol into full-blown addiction.

“A lyrical and intimate confession, apology, and cautionary tale, Miss Memory Lane is an unforgettable story of dreams deferred and dreams fulfilled; of a family torn apart and rebuilt; and of a man stepping into the light as no one but himself.”

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