Macaulay Culkin has responded forcefully to reports that he was addicted to heroin and has denied ever spending a rumoured $6,000 (€5,424) a month on the drug.
In 2012, a 'close friend' of the 35-year-old Home Alone star reportedly told National Enquirer magazine that the former child star was in a "downward spiral" after becoming addicted to the deadly narcotic. It was also reported that he was spending thousands of dollars a month to feed his habit.
After four years of rumours swirling, the notoriously private star has finally addressed the reports, saying that they were massively overblown.
When asked by The Guardian newspaper whether people were right to be worried about him back then, he said: ''Not necessarily.''
''Of course, when silly stuff is going on - but no, I was not pounding six grand worth of heroin every month or whatever.
"The thing that bugged me was tabloids wrapping it all in this weird guise of concern. No, you're trying to shift papers.''
Asked whether he would one day reveal the full story of the episode he adds, "Perhaps."
Culkin rose to international fame with his lead role in Home Alone
Culkin, who occasionally tours with his parody rock band The Pizza Underground, says he has no regrets at becoming famous at a young age.
"It's allowed me to become the person I am, and I like me, so I wouldn't change a thing," Macaulay adds.
Culkin speaks at New York Comic Con in 2015
Culkin previously admitted that he can pretty much afford to live a life of leisure without working and enjoys spending his days painting, writing in his notebooks, and "whateverin'."
"I'm a man in his mid-30s who's essentially retired," Culkin told Vulture. "I kind of go where the wind takes me a little bit."
