The words of international supermodel and Project Runway host Heidi Klum — “One day you’re in and the next day you’re out” — seem so apt these days. It’s not only our home-grown politicos whose lustre can quickly fade; the tide also sometimes turns unfavourably for sportsmen, actors, and singers. SO looks at those who had it, lost it, and got it back, and those who need to get it back.

DREW BARRYMORE

Who goes to rehab for drug and alcohol addiction and writes an autobiography of a hard-knock life at the ripe age of 14? That would be Drew Barrymore. She won the hearts of millions the world over as the adorable character Gertie in director Steven Spielberg's 1982 blockbuster ET, but as is the story with many child stars, Barrymore's celebrity light dimmed considerably in a haze of heavy drug-riddled partying in the mid-to late 80s. She cleaned up her act and by the time the 90s rolled around, she not only rehabilitated her life but her film career as well. Today, Barrymore is a respected actor, model for Cover Girl cosmetics, a director, film producer, and newly engaged to art consultant Will Kopelman.

ROBERT DOWNEY, JR

Downey made his screen debut in 1970, at the age of five, appearing in his father's film Pound, and has worked consistently in film and television ever since. Between 1996 and 2001, Downey was tabloid fodder for his drug addictions, frequent arrests on narcotics-related charges, and stints in both rehab and jail. He made a huge return to the big screen in 2008, starring in the boxoffice hits Tropic Thunder and Iron Man. The following year, he had the lead role in the blockbuster Sherlock Holmes — for which he also copped a Golden Globe Award. Let's also not forget Iron Man 2 (2010) and Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows (2011).

MARIAH CAREY

This multi-award-winning singer's career took a significant plunge in 2001 after the release of her heavily criticised movie Glitter. Since then, she seemingly drifted off the radar for five years, and later resurfaced with the release of her highly anticipated album The Emancipation of Mimi. The album was one of the top-selling albums in 2005 and peaked at number one on the Billboard charts. She then redeemed herself as an actress in the Oscar-winning movie Precious in which she played a social worker. Carey also got married to actor Nick Cannon and recently gave birth to twins.

KELSEY GRAMMER

Kelsey Grammer's fictional psychiatrist, Frasier Crane, is one of the longest running TV characters. Grammer won eight Emmy Awards during his two-decadelong run as Crane that spanned Cheers and its spin-off Frasier. The actor struggled to replicate his television success after saying goodbye to his drywitted psychiatrist role, with his 2008 sitcom, Back to You and 2009 comedy, Hank, which were both cancelled within their first seasons. Grammer, however, struck acting gold with his role as a corrupt mayor in the new searing drama Boss and won a Golden Globe for Best Actor in a TV series last week.

JOHN TRAVOLTA

A sex symbol and icon of the small and big screens in the 1970s and 1980s, thanks to his roles on TV's Welcome Back, Kotter and in box-office hits, Saturday Night Fever, Grease and Look Who's Talking, John Travolta's career has an enviable sheen; well, that was before it became spotty when the 1990s rolled around and he seemed a has-been. Things changed dramatically for him in 1994 when screenwriter/director Quentin Tarantino cast Travolta in his hit film, Pulp Fiction, which led not only to an Academy Award nomination but a career resurgence as well.

JENNIFER HUDSON

Jennifer Hudson has consistently been able to rise like the phoenix. She rose to prominence in 2004 when she was a finalist on the third season of American Idol. Hudson’s run on the show would soon end when she finished seventh. We would soon see her again in her role as Effie White in the award-winning film Dreamgirls. For her role, Hudson garnered a number of awards including an Oscar and a Golden Globe.

At the height of her music and film career, news broke that Hudson's mother, brother, and nephew were violently murdered. Many wondered whether or not she would be able to recover. However, months later, the singer released a well-received album, became the spokesperson for Weight Watchers — after shedding 80 pounds — got engaged and gave birth to her first child.

KELLY ROWLAND

Former Destiny's Child star Kelly Rowland had an incredibly successful year in 2011 with her role as judge on the UK's XFactor. After several unsuccessful stints at launching her solo career, the show has certainly helped to cement her place in the industry again. She has also been seen on the top of pop charts again with catchy hits like Motivation and Commander.

BILL CLINTON

“I did not have sexual relations with that woman,” was the famous quote from the 42nd US President Bill Clinton after he was accused of sexual indiscretions with 25-yearold White House intern Monica Lewinsky. This, however, wasn't the first. Clinton, throughout his political career, has been accused by a number of women of either sexual harassment by or engaging in sexual relations with them However, it was his ability to survive multiple scandals and maintain high approval ratings that led to him being nicknamed 'Teflon Bill' He was also instrumental in helping current US president, Barack Obama, win the 2008 elections.

PIERCE BROSNAN

Pierce Brosnan will perhaps always be remembered for his roles in the James Bond films Golden Eye, Tomorrow Never Dies, The World Is Not Enough and Die Another Day — all successful at the box office. Since bowing out of the Bond franchise, Brosnan has not had a hit on the big screen. His 2008 film Mamma Mia, also starring Meryl Streep, received mixed reviews. Brosnan's singing in the film was generally mocked by critics, with his singing compared in different reviews to the sound of a water buffalo, a donkey, and a wounded raccoon. There's talk of a new film, which will feature him alongside Morgan Freeman. We're hoping this will mark his return.

CHRIS BROWN

After allegedly brutally beating ex-girlfriend singer Rihanna, it seemed virtually impossible for Chris Brown to make a comeback. Sentenced to five years’ probation and six months of community service, Brown's career seemed all but dead. Since the much-publicised incident, Brown has been working tirelessly for a comeback and the release of his fourth album FAME may just have been the remedy. He was nominated for six BET awards, of which he took home five. The album won Album of the Year at the 2011 Soul Train Music Awards and is nominated for three awards at the 54th Grammy Awards.

CHARLIE SHEEN

Charlie Sheen's unceremonious axing from his hit sitcom Two And A Half Men due to highly publicised drug binges and cavorting with porn stars was one of the tabloid industry's most covered stories last year. It was not the actor's first drug-related misstep, nor would it lead to his first time in rehab (he has a well-documented history of legal infractions and consistently running afoul of the law dating back to the 1980s), but 2011 proved a particularly bizarre and bad year for Sheen. Though fired from one sitcom, Sheen has been hired to headline another — Anger Management due this June on FX — and will stake yet another claim for reinvention.

LINDSAY LOHAN

Lohan was tipped by many to have a promising career. She began as a child model and by the age of three, modelled for Calvin Klein Kids and Abercrombie kids, and appeared in over 100 television commercials. In 1998 she starred in Disney's remake of The Parent Trap, and went on to sign a three-movie deal with Disney. Her career was interrupted by two driving under the influence (DUI) incidents, three visits to rehabilitation facilities, and being sentenced to jail time, all of which led to the loss of several movie deals. Since then, she has been plotting a comeback starting with a number of commercials and is currently in talks to play the late Elizabeth Taylor in a new movie for Lifetime.

KANYE WEST

High-riding hip-hop star Kanye West has been seen by many as controversial. Nonetheless, the artiste had four hit albums between 2004 and 2009, won numerous awards and was seen as one of the best at his trade. However, during the 2009 MTV Video Music Awards, while Taylor Swift was accepting her award for Best Female Video, West went on stage and grabbed the microphone to proclaim that Beyoncé's video, nominated for the same award, was "one of the best videos of all time". West was perhaps one of the most disliked artistes after his outburst and was criticised by various celebrities, including President Barack Obama. West apologised, took a sabbatical from the spotlight and later emerged with his fifth album My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy and Watch The Throne with Jay-Z, both of which stormed the charts, earning West multiple nominations at the 54th Grammy Awards.

PAULA ABDUL & JENNIFER LOPEZ

Abdul and Lopez can thank American Idol for taking their careers off life support. Abdul's A-list status had slipped way down the celeb-alphabet chain until she resurfaced in 2002 on TV screens as an empathetic judge on the mega-hit reality show. Lopez's once-hot persona had cooled too before she signed on the dotted line to be part of the judges' panel on Idol last year. Lopez's debut on the show resurrected her music career and renewed public interest in the Latina icon.

BRITNEY SPEARS & CHRISTINA AGUILERA

Spears and Aguilera starred together on the wholesome Mickey Mouse Club as young girls, before hitting the jackpot as bonafide music celebs as teenagers. Then came their precipitous fall from grace. Spears' divorce from second hubby Kevin Federline would give way to a spiralling public meltdown that culminated in a muchridiculed performance at the MTV Video Music Awards in 2007. Fortunately, Spears went to rehab (yes, yes, yes) and with the help of her father Jamie who seized control of her business affairs, her career got back on the right track. Aguilera, like Spears, had a public dissolution of her marriage and serious weight-gain issues. There was, too, a drunk-driving misdemeanour and flubbing the lines of the National Anthem at last year's Super Bowl. The pint-sized diva with the big voice has seen a major career comeback with her successful stint as a judge on the NBC hit reality singing competition The Voice.

MIKE TYSON

Former undisputed heavyweight champion of the world Mike Tyson holds the record as the youngest boxer to win the WBC, WBA and IBF heavyweight titles. He became the first heavyweight boxer to simultaneously hold and the only heavyweight to individually unify the WBA, WBC and IBF titles. However, in 1992, Tyson was convicted of rape for which he was sentenced to six years in prison. After being released from prison, he engaged in a series of comeback fights. Tyson lost his WBA crown to Evander Holyfield in November 1996. Their 1997 rematch ended when Tyson was disqualified for biting off part of Holyfield's ear. Since retiring from boxing, Tyson has been arrested for cocaine possession and driving under the influence. Nevertheless In 2011 he was inducted to the International Boxing Hall of Fame.

MICHAEL JORDAN

The iconic Chicago Bulls basketball superstar set the template that all modern-day athletes and even music and film celebs now follow. Branded shoe contract, check. High-profile music video appearances, check. Lead-role film debut, check. Astronomically costly divorce settlement, check. Jordan makes the comeback list, though, for his shocking retirement announcement from the Bulls in 1993, months after his father's murder. Jordan would venture into a much-derided stint in baseball. Thankfully, he returned to the Bulls in 1995, helping them win the National Basketball Association title that year.

VLADIMIR PUTIN

Russian politician Vladimir Putin served as the second president of the Russian Federation and is the current prime minister of Russia, as well as chairman of United Russia and chairman of the Council of Ministers of the Union of Russia and Belarus. After serving two consecutive terms as president, Putin was ineligible to run for a third consecutive presidential term. In 2011, Putin announced that he would seek a third, non-consecutive term in the 2012 presidential election.

ANDREW HOLNESS

When Bruce Golding stepped down as prime minister, his chosen successor Andrew Holness was touted as younger and different, a change for the elder statesmen who reigned supreme in the administration. Seems like the electorate preferred the old to the new, as Holness was booted within two months as PM. What’s next for the Opposition Leader? Let’s be clear that we’re watching ever so closely.

PORTIA SIMPSON MILLER

The running joke after the surprise results of the December elections was that the Jamaica Labour Party should be renamed Jamaica Loves Portia. Love her or hate her, no one can deny it's Mrs Simpson Miller's moment in the sun…again. And it's the political comeback dreams are made of.

PERCIVAL JAMES PATTERSON

Patterson has the unrivalled distinction of being a three-term prime minister and though he stepped down as leader of the People's National Party in 2006, the 76-year-old statesman played a shrewd, behind-the-scenes role on the campaign trail in securing the PNP's recent return to governance.

BRUCE GOLDING

Heralded as the change Jamaica needed in the 2007 general election, former Prime Minister Bruce Golding fell out of favour with the Jamaican people and his government slid down the ladder in public opinion polls. All for his handling of the extradition request of Christopher ‘Dudus’ Coke — which cost the lives of many — as well as the Manatt, Phelps & Phillips fiasco. Golding eventually stepped down as prime minister, paving the way for a younger leader. That was perhaps his first step to salvation. Yet we are not convinced that the Jamaican people have forgiven the former prime minister for his deeds. A comeback for him may be necessary; we just don’t see how.

CAPTAIN HORACE BURRELL

After being banned for six months by FIFA last November for his alleged role in a bribery case involving former FIFA presidential candidate Mohammed bin Hammam, Captain Burrell had to withdraw his candidacy for president of the Caribbean Football Union. With the months of his suspension served — the other three deferred to probation — Burrell was back on the job last week and as mandated by FIFA, resumed all the roles he once held, including Jamaica Football Federation president, CONCACAF executive committee member and FIFA disciplinary committee member. With the 2014 FIFA World Cup ahead, we're looking to the Captain to bounce back and steer the local footballing ship in the right direction.

JACK WARNER

Trinidadian football executive, politician and businessman Jack Warner last June tendered his resignation as vice-president of FIFA due to allegations of bribery leading up to the FIFA presidential elections. Warner, whose career has been dogged by a number of corruption allegations, has still been able to overcome the worst and has remained respected by many. After the 2010 election in Trinidad and Tobago, Warner was appointed the Works and Transport Minister in Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar's government.

DANVILLE WALKER

We're certainly expecting a resurgence from the man who once headed the Electoral Office of Jamaica and who was once the Commissioner of Customs. Walker not only forfeited his US citizenship but also resigned his post as Commissioner of Customs last October in order to run for the Manchester Central seat in the general election last December. With Walker losing that race — and bear in mind there's still that scrap metal investigation taking place — we're left to ask what will become of him, how will he recover?

FAMBO

Fambo has definitely earned the name 'Comeback Kid', after falling off the map for years. He marked his return by what was arguably THE dancehall song of 2010 — Rum and Redbull, which features Beenie Man. The drunken master was consistent with the follow-up hit Never Sober as well as other singles like Swagaholic, Pop Bottle, This Life, and dare we forget Swaggin (Too Bad For you), which also includes Tifa and Wayne Marshall. The dancehall artiste found himself on a number of local top shows like Guinness Explosion, Reggae Sumfest and Sting.

MILK

Amelia 'Milk' Sewell had one of the most watched television progammes locally — e-Strip which airs on CVM TV. In 2008, a sex tape involving the media personality and her alleged boyfriend was released and circulated on the Internet. She was subsequently removed as host of the e-Strip and eventually booted from the station altogether. Milk has since made a number of attempts at a comeback including music video roles. She went on as producer of the countdown show FIWI Choice and has expanded her portfolio, embarking on a musical journey and releasing a number of singles, some of which have received favourable responses. She's starred in local hit plays like Against His Will and is alongside Audrey Reid and Oral Tracey a judge on the local series Tastee Talent Trail. Milk made her way on to local screens again when she played the 'substitute teacher' on hit reality series Teacha’s Pet. With the series now ended, we're not sure where Milk's headed and not exactly convinced just yet of a comeback, but we're tipping her to make waves in 2012.

SARA LAWRENCE

Crowned Jamaica's representative to the Miss World pageant in 2006, Sara Lawrence finished in the top six at the prestigious beauty competition held in Poland that year. It became one of those jawdropping moments when Lawrence announced she was relinquishing her crown during her reign after revealing she was pregnant — the first time such an incident had occured in the history of the Miss Jamaica World pageant. She was even featured on E! TV’s 2010 programme Beauty Queens Gone Wrong. Undaunted, Lawrence would proceed with her medical studies, which she will complete this May; she also scored several endorsement contracts along the way. Now that's a comeback!

ASAFA POWELL

Once the fastest man alive, Asafa Powell was touted to take gold in the 100 metres at the 2004 summer Olympics in Athens; instead Powell placed a disappointing fifth. The following year, Powell would break Tim Montgomery's 100-metre record of 9.78 to set a new World Record at 9.77, and in 2006 he was awarded IAAF Male Athlete of the Year. In 2007 Powell would break his own World Record, setting a time of 9.74. A year later Powell's three-year 100-metre dominance ended when Usain Bolt set a new record of 9.72. At the Beijing Olympics that year Powell again finished a disappointing fifth. This year’s summer Olympics in London will perhaps be Powell’s final chance at individual Olympic glory.

  0 comments

  0 comments

  0 comments

  0 comments

  0 comments

  0 comments

  0 comments

  0 comments

  0 comments

  0 comments

  0 comments

  0 comments

  0 comments

  0 comments

  0 comments

  0 comments

  0 comments

  0 comments

  0 comments

  0 comments