The next article consists of discussions of alcohol and drug use.

Movie star children are sometimes born with a silver spoon of their mouth, however that wasn’t the case with Child Rock’s son. Robert James Ritchie Jr. was born earlier than his father made it massive within the business, and since Child Rock is among the many most controversial celebrities on the market, he uncovered his solely son to a number of his antics — and vices. Whereas he rose to fame because of a mix of hip-hop, rock, and nation music, Child Rock’s private life typically outshone his skilled accomplishments.

As a single father to Ritchie Jr., he raised his son inside his rock and roll life-style — and every little thing that got here with it. Medicine, alcohol, and girls had been a mainstay within the Ritchie family. Nevertheless, Child Rock should have achieved one thing proper, even when accidentally, as Ritchie Jr. grew as much as be a grounded particular person with no real interest in partying or medication. He has been together with his spouse since highschool and is a devoted father to their two kids.

Regardless of his father’s shortcomings, Ritchie Jr. is grateful for the upbringing he had. “You have taught me compassion, kindness and gratitude. You have taught me easy methods to be assured and humble on the identical time. You have taught me about religion and the way it retains the spark alive in life,” Ritchie Jr. captioned an Instagram put up to mark Father’s Day in 2020. Ritchie Jr. went by means of fairly a little bit of hardship all through his childhood and adolescence, however he is made the perfect of all of it.

Robert James Ritchie Jr. has an important bond with Child Rock. Sadly, he cannot say the identical about his mom. Child Rock’s relationship with Kelley South Russell, his center college sweetheart, was at all times sophisticated, but it surely hit all-time low when he discovered he wasn’t the daddy of one of many three kids they had been elevating collectively. “There have been three children, he thought two of them had been his, after which he discovered that considered one of them wasn’t,” drummer Bob Ebeling informed the Detroit Free Press in 2015.

Rock took the information laborious, and the couple separated shortly after. “He was actually emotionally torn up, going by means of that deep heartbreak stuff,” mentioned Ebeling, with whom Rock lived after the break up. Ritchie Jr. was simply months previous when Child Rock turned a single father at age 22 after Russell handed the child over and left together with her different two children. “He was dropped on my doorstep at six months once I had no cash and was making an attempt to be a rock star. I did not have a clue,” he informed The Guardian in 2015.

For years, Ritchie Jr. had minimal contact together with his mom, however he had different maternal figures in his life. As he raised his son solo whereas additionally experiencing a growth in his profession, Child Rock leaned on his mom, sister, and his son’s godmother. “I had a number of assist,” he mentioned on AXS TV. “I had an important assist system.”

Robert James Ritchie Jr. spent most of his childhood remoted from his mom, however Kelley South Russell did attempt to get nearer. It wasn’t straightforward, although. As a result of Child Rock received full custody of the boy when his son was 2, Russell needed to problem her ex in courtroom for elevated entry to her son. In 2000, she sought to regain custody of Ritchie Jr., arguing that Child Rock’s newfound fame impacted his capacity to dedicate sufficient time to his upbringing.

Russell stood little probability, provided that she initially misplaced custody to Rock in 1995 after an investigation revealed she had an alcohol dependancy and as soon as took a knife to Child Rock’s leg. When it turned clear Child Rock would retain custody, Russell requested for extra time with Ritchie Jr. She argued Child Rock typically prevented her from spending time with him, utilizing the instance of his denial to permit her to have the boy over that yr’s summer time break. After 10 months of back-and-forth, he agreed to extend her time with him.

Nevertheless, the brand new settlement stipulated that Russell needed to pay Child Rock $25 per week except she had Ritchie Jr. for not less than six days. In that case, she must pay half the quantity. “He was completely, positively insistent that she pay youngster assist,” Russell’s lawyer, Kathy Vogt, informed the Detroit Free Press (by way of ABC Information). “His place is that she must assume accountability. My opinion is that is punishment.”

In the event you or anybody is battling dependancy points, assist is offered. Go to the Substance Abuse and Psychological Well being Companies Administration web site or contact SAMHSA’s Nationwide Helpline at 1-800-662-HELP (4357).

When Child Rock turned a single father to Robert James Ritchie Jr. between 1993 and 1994, he was nonetheless a struggling musician. His prospects had been good early on, with Jive Data producing his debut album “Grits Sandwiches for Breakfast” in 1990, however the label dropped him that very same yr. Child Rock launched his subsequent two albums with an unbiased label in 1993 and 1996, although success was nonetheless elusive. It wasn’t till 1998 that he had his breakthrough with “Satan And not using a Trigger” after he secured a take care of Lava Data.

However for Ritchie Jr.’s first years of life, cash was tight. “He was additionally form of disenfranchised from his dad at that time. There wasn’t a number of monetary assist coming from the household,” Bob Ebeling mentioned within the Detroit Free Press profile. After he was dropped by Jive Data, Child Rock used the remaining $2,200 from his contract to purchase music tools. “I used to be broke once more and moved again in with my mother and father,” he mentioned within the AXS TV interview.

Despite the fact that Child Rock had his massive break when his son was 5 and massive cash began pouring in, he nonetheless consciously made skilled selections that saved his profession from going to the following stage. “I toured the final so a few years, I solely toured Thursday, Friday, Saturday. And I’ve solely achieved America as a result of I needed to be there for my son,” he mentioned within the “Larry King Stay” dialog. 

Kelley South Russel’s alcohol consumption was deemed an impediment in her capacity to lift Robert James Ritchie Jr., however Child Rock’s many vices appeared to have been simply advantageous within the eyes of the legislation. Nevertheless, even he is aware of he crossed the road loads of occasions and uncovered his son to detrimental experiences. As a performing artist, there was no scarcity of occasions when he received dwelling drunk or below the affect of medicine. “I handed out in my toilet, lifeless weight. My son is available in, he is like, ‘Grandma, one thing’s unsuitable with Dad!'” he informed Esquire in 2011. That was on Christmas, and Ritchie Jr. was 7. 

Medicine and alcohol weren’t the one age-inappropriate conduct the boy witnessed. His dad additionally made little effort to cover his philandering methods. “There have been a number of girls. I may have set a greater instance for my son. When he was a teen I would deliver dwelling women that he had extra in widespread with than I did,” he admitted in The Guardian interview. Nevertheless, understanding he ought to do higher wasn’t motivation sufficient for him to really do higher. 

In truth, he believes he was justified in his actions as a result of, properly, he is a man. “He noticed women come out and in, which in all probability wasn’t the healthiest factor. I attempted to not do it an excessive amount of, however f***, I had a d*** and I used to be well-known at the moment, ?” Child Rock informed Rolling Stone in 2015.

Child Rock’s relationship with Pamela Anderson was marked by breakups and makeups from the start. After relationship on and off since 2001, they lastly tied the knot in the summertime of 2006. Nevertheless, the authorized union was short-lived. Earlier than the yr was out, the pair filed for divorce. The explanation Child Rock and Anderson’s marriage failed simply 4 months into it’s up for debate, and every has given completely different motivations. For Child Rock’s half, he claimed he divorced Anderson to guard Robert James Ritchie Jr.

They’d been having points for a while regarding their prenup and postnup and in addition what Child Rock described as lies Anderson had unfold about miscarrying a being pregnant and different points. However what sealed the deal was Anderson’s perspective towards his household in entrance of Ritchie Jr. “After I noticed it beginning to have an effect on my son, when — when she would discuss down about my mom and about my sister — two individuals who had been very instrumental in elevating my son with me, when this stuff began to go on … that is once I stepped again,” he mentioned on CNN’s “Larry King Stay” in 2007.

Nevertheless, sources after the break up claimed that “Borat” ended Child Rock and Anderson’s marriage. Child Rock reportedly threw a jealous match after watching his then-wife’s participation within the film, one thing director and actor Sacha Baron Cohen confirmed in 2019. “I feel they had been a incredible couple, so it is a disgrace,” he informed The Day by day Beast. 

Child Rock was by no means a fan of Pamela Anderson’s ex-husband Tommy Lee. Anybody who tuned in to observe Alicia Keys’ efficiency on the 2007 VMAs discovered that firsthand. Throughout the occasion, Child Rock infamously punched the Mötley Crüe drummer within the face, leading to each being escorted out. Child Rock was cited for misdemeanor battery and mentioned he later regretted his motion, however not due to the commotion he prompted or as a result of he prompted bodily damage.

As a substitute, he regretted not pondering of the implications it could have for Robert James Ritchie Jr. and in addition Lee and Anderson’s two sons, Brandon and Dylan. “You have to bear in mind, too, there’s children concerned right here … the one factor I used to be eager about was my son and his two children, and the way does this have an effect on them?” he mentioned within the “Larry King Stay” interview. “They’re those — my son is 14. He has to go to high school. He is the one which’s received to take care of these antics, ? Let’s face it, highschool children generally is a little unforgiving.”

The brawl additionally had an affect on Anderson, who was mortified that her two exes made a idiot of themselves for the world to see. “Tommy and Bob dove at one another. Fists had been flying, and the entire thing ended up on reside TV,” she wrote in her 2023 memoir “Love, Pamela.” “I walked out.” Anderson and Child Rock have not spoken since that 2007 evening.