He may have been the driving force behind the Mamas & the Papas—but when he wasn’t writing sunny flower-child anthems, John Phillips was intent on destroying himself and everyone in his orbit.

Richard Burton was one of Hollywood’s wildest hellraisers and a formidable acting talent. But it was his tempestuous romance with Elizabeth Taylor that provided the world with the most delicious tabloid fodder: Vicious fights, passionate displays of affection, and bitter betrayal. Still, no matter how bright he burned—Burton was always doomed to a heartbreaking end.

Throughout his career, Gene Clark searched many avenues for success in the music industry—and found mostly hardship and disappointment. However, his contributions would be integral stepping stones to the popularity of genres like alternative country and psychedelic rock.

Long before the likes of Charlize Theron, Michelle Pfeiffer, or even Marilyn Monroe, there was Mae West—actress and provocateur. Of course, there’s more than enough fascinating material with just those three descriptors, but there was a lot more to West than just her allure and bold behavior. West was one of the most controversial celebrities of her time—and her intriguing story is full of jaw-dropping twists and turns.

LeAnn Rimes’ rise to fame seemed unstoppable. But behind the scenes, the people closest to her were the ones at the center of growing tension. What started as a tight family unit slowly began to fracture—and it didn’t stay private.

At one point, Judy Garland was one of the biggest stars in the world. Hit films, sold-out performances, and a voice everyone recognized. But behind the scenes, the cracks had already started, and by the time they showed, it was much worse than most people realized.