>> Does Mary-Kate have an eating disorder? Is she anorexic? Is she in drug rehab?

Articles -> Olsen Twins Rumors -> Does Mary-Kate have an eating disorder? Is she anorexic? Is she in drug rehab?

Michael Pagnotta, a spokesman for Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen

"Mary-Kate Olsen recently entered a treatment facility to seek professional help for a health-related issue," Michael Pagnotta, a spokesman for Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen, who turned 18 on June 13, said in a statement Tuesday. "She is thankful for the encouragement and support of her friends and family who are with her every step of the way."

In-patient programs for eating disorders typically last 30 days. Pagnotta could not say what type of eating disorder Mary-Kate is suffering, but Us says it's anorexia.

Pagnotta "categorically denies" rumors that drugs are involved.

Audio: Mary-Kate Health Report

July-25-2004 The Mary-Kate - Drew Barrymore connection

It's been reported that Lori Cerisoli, a $1000/day counselor, was assigned by MK's father David Olsen, to chaperone/evaluate MK before she was finally admitted to Cirque Lodge. Lori has worked with other celebrities in the past with their health problems. One of them was Drew Barrymore.

"She thought she had quit drugs and drink forever, but after a relapse actress Drew Barrymore knows she faces a lifelong battle." ..more

July-22-2004 Mary-Kates horse infected?

Canada.com - And, finally, life is still sucking for Mary-Kate Olsen, who remains in a Utah treatment clinic for "health-related issues" -- not only is she dealing with eating problems, but the twin is said to have flipped out when news broke that a case of West Nile had infected a stable where some of her horses are kept.

July-22-2004 Mary-Kate is coming home

Mary-Kate Olsen to Return Home Soon

Yahoo.com/news - After six weeks at a treatment facility for a health-related issue, Mary-Kate Olsen, the brunette half of the Olsen twins, is "doing well" and her fans can "expect her to return home soon," her publicist, Michael Pagnotta, said Tuesday.

July-7-2004 Article: Idol Judge Offers MK Help

Contactmusic.com

Pop star-turned-AMERICAN IDOL judge PAULA ABDUL has written to troubled MARY-KATE OLSEN as she battles an eating disorder, offering her experience and help.

July-1-2004 Article: Mary-Kate is not in drug rehab.

Nypost.com/gossip

AMERICAN Media is standing firm behind its story that Mary-Kate Olsen has entered rehab for cocaine addiction, not anorexia, as her camp has claimed. The magazine empire's biggest titles, the Star and the National Enquirer, both published cover stories trumpeting Mary-Kate's alleged addiction this week, complete with photos purporting to show the teen queen checking into the Cirque Lodge, a rehab clinic in Utah. And despite threats of legal action, American Media mouthpiece Stu Zakim gloated yesterday, "If they were going to sue us, they would have done it already. Nothing has come forward and that only reinforces the validity of our reporting. We knew how explosive this story would be, and it's been fact-checked and fact-checked and fact-checked. We have all the confidence in the world that our reporting is on the money." Zakim predicts both weeklies "will sell incredibly well on the newsstand." Olsen spokesman Michael Pagnotta said he had not seen the Enquirer, but, "If it's the same kind of reporting as in the Star, which we consider to be false, then it would likewise be evaluated by our attorneys. The bottom line is that Mary-Kate was not admitted for drugs, period."

June-30-2004 Article: Confirming MK at Cirque Lodge?

Usatoday.com

In explaining why Olsen is at a facility that specializes in drug and alcohol abuse treatment, Pagnotta told Us: "It is a multi-treatment facility, which is perfectly capable of accommodating her needs. Mary-Kate has a team of people working with her, including a renowned psychologist in this field and a nutritionist."

Video - ENewsLive 7-1-2004 - MK at Cirque Lodge

June-29-2004 Article: Mary-Kate Treated at Cirque Lodge

Cirquelodge.com

Chicagotribune.com

"Because of concerns about the inevitable media onslaught, a facility was chosen by her family and therapist that would offer her the maximum amount of time to begin her treatment in privacy," Pagnotta said. "The facility is perfectly well-suited to provide her with the treatment she requires and an environment in which she feels safe and comfortable."

June-28-2004 Article: Ashley Says MK is "Hanging in There"

Yahoo.com

She's hanging in there," Ashley Olsen said of her sister, adding family members were very appreciative of the public support they have received since Mary-Kate's problem was disclosed.

"The support's been really amazing," Ashley Olsen said.

She added that her sister had been struggling with the problem for "quite awhile" before the family stepped in and got help for her.

"She is taking the time she needs for herself right now," Ashley Olsen told People. "Right now is especially a good time right before school so she can get healthy."

The twins, whose most recent movie is "New York Minute," turned 18 earlier this month and plan to attend New York University in the fall.

Olsen, who recently canceled a trip to Australia to promote "New York Minute" to be with her sister, declined to describe their recent meetings.

"It's private," she said. "I'm here for her whenever she needs me, and, you know, that's how it works."

June-27-2004 Mary-Kate & Ashley Olsen Contact Info

If you want to send a card or letter to Mary-Kate to wish her a swift recovery here is her mail address:

Mary-Kate & Ashley Olsen
c/o Thorne & Co.
1801 Century Park E.
12th Floor
Los Angeles, CA 90067
USA

If you want to email her, here is her email form web page:

Mary-kateandashley.com/email_us

They don't usually respond to email or letters so don't expect it. I'm sure they do read them though and appreciate the effort it took.

June-26-2004 Message from mary-kateandashley.com

Mary-kateandashley.com

"As many of you know, Mary-Kate is being treated for an eating disorder. There has been a tremendous outpouring of sympathy from so many of you - and from the worldwide press - for Mary-Kate in this difficult time, as she suffers from an illness affecting many other young women. We at mary-kateandashley.com want to extend our deepest gratitude to those who have given Mary-Kate their heartfelt support."

June-25-2004 Articles: Mary-Kate overwhelmed by public support

Heraldsun.news.com.au

"An Olsen family spokesman said Mary-Kate had been overwhelmed by public support since the news broke, but they are still referring to her condition as a health-related issue."

June-22-2004 Mary-Kate Health problem

Press release: Michael Pagnotta, a spokesman for Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen

"Mary-Kate Olsen recently entered a treatment facility to seek professional help for a health-related issue," Michael Pagnotta, a spokesman for Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen, who turned 18 on June 13, said in a statement Tuesday. "She is thankful for the encouragement and support of her friends and family who are with her every step of the way."

In-patient programs for eating disorders typically last 30 days. Pagnotta could not say what type of eating disorder Mary-Kate is suffering, but Us says it's anorexia.

Pagnotta "categorically denies" rumors that drugs are involved.

Ashley Olsen will be making a planned trip later this month to Australia and New Zealand without Mary-Kate to launch overseas promotion of New York Minute -- the sisters' first theatrical feature, he said.

Related links

Anorexia Nervosa info

According to Colgate University:

42 percent of 1st-3rd grade girls want to be thinner.

81 percent of 10-year-olds are afraid of being fat.

The average American woman is 5'4" tall and weighs 140 pounds. The average American model is 5'11" tall and weighs 117 pounds. Most fashion models are thinner than 98 percent of American women.

51 percent of 9- and 10-year-old girls feel better about themselves if they are on a diet.

46 percent of 9-11-year-olds are "sometimes" or "very often" on diets, and 82 percent of their families are "sometimes" or "very often" on diets.

Cbsnews.com

Her father said, ‘In order to get your car back, you are going to have to gain some weight.’ The family had someone watching her at meals. They were very, very concerned about this.“