Rob Lowe reflects on the infamous scandal that changed his life: ‘It got me sober’

Rob Lowe’s 1988 sex tape scandal nearly ended his career, but he still calls it “the best thing that ever happened to me.” USA TODAY

Rob Lowe has found a silver lining in his career-threatening scandal from the late ’80s.

The filmed sexual encounter made during the 1988 Democratic National Convention was brought up during the 55-year-old star’s appearance on SiriusXM’s “The Jess Cagle Show.” In 1989, the “St. Elmo’s Fire” actor faced a lawsuit from the mother of a 16-year-old girl involved in the tape. Lowe denied knowing the girl was underage, according to CBS News and Yahoo.

Today, Lowe speaks about the incident with a lighthearted tone.

“The problem was, I didn’t make any money off of it like everybody does now. I was too stupid,” he said with a smile.

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Rob Lowe at a photocall for the TV show "Wild Bill" during the Monte-Carlo Television Festival on June 17, 2019. — Rob Lowe at a photocall for the TV show “Wild Bill” during the Monte-Carlo Television Festival on June 17, 2019. *(Photo: VALERY HACHE, AFP/Getty Images)*

Lowe says he owes his life today, in part, to the ordeal.

“It’s one of the reasons why I got sober,” he said. “I, like, woke up one day and was like, ‘What am I doing with my life?’

“People talk about it, I go, ‘I think it’s the best thing that ever happened to me,'” he continued. “Honestly, I do, ’cause it got me sober. Sober got me married. I’ve been married 29 years, and I have two great sons. I don’t think any of that happens without going through that scandal. I really don’t.”

Lowe got sober in 1990 and celebrated 29 years on Instagram in May.

“Thank you to all those who have inspired me on this wonderful, challenging and life-changing journey,” he captioned a photo of his younger self. “If you, or someone you know, are struggling with alcohol or addiction, there CAN be a future of hope, health and happiness. And it comes one day at a time. #recovery #ItWorks.”

Reflecting on his early triumphs, Lowe told Cagle, “It’s not a great recipe for success to give an 18-year-old male fame, money, drugs and expect there not to be something that goes wrong.”

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