The new black

Forget grey. Rehab is the new black. And I am not just referring to the current vogue for the old bait and switch known as Rehab. Over the last several months, rehabilitation has become the cure for a disease even more damaging to a public figure than substance abuse: Bad PR.

And if memory serves this all started with Mel Gibson who went to rehab for being a racist. Since him rehab has become little more than a red herring for public figures in want of attention. Rehab is supposed to be a place for people with real problems to seek help, not a publicity stunt for people whose problems are intolerance, flexible morality and the flash of a papparazzi's camera.

Am I the only one tired of the famous and the infamous trying to find fame in rehab redemption? I feel like Dorothy in the Wizard of Oz being told not to pay attention to the man behind the green curtain. Or in the words of Amy Winehouse, "they tried to make me go to rehab. I said no, no, no."

And after seeing Amy Wino's (sorry, too easy) awesome live performance (catch her if you can) last night at London's Astoria, I have assumed her as my new hero. Forget the gooey romanticism of Bridget Jones, dare I say Amy epitomises a new sort of feminism? Part vocal vamp, part north London Jewish girl, and part self-confessed alcoholic; Amy is all character. And that is why she is above making a mockery of rehab. I'll drink to that!

Amy's UK tour starts tomorrow.
Gig dates here.
London: 8/3, 9/3 (Shepherds Bush Empire)
NYC: 13/3 (Bowery Ballroom)