Matthew Perry’s former assistant has recently shared insights into their relationship and the reasons behind her decision to resign.
The cherished Friends star, who passed away at 54, was discovered unresponsive at his Los Angeles home on October 28, 2023.
A Los Angeles medical examiner found traces of ketamine in Perry’s system, noting he was undergoing ketamine infusion therapy for anxiety and depression.
In his memoir, Friends, Lovers and The Big Terrible Thing, Perry candidly discussed his struggles with mental health and drug addiction. He revealed that he had spent over $7 million and attended rehab 15 times in his efforts to remain sober.
Kayti Edwards, who dated Perry in 2006 and became his assistant in 2011, has spoken out about their relationship and witnessing his battles with addiction.
In an exclusive interview with The Mirror US, Edwards recounted how, despite Perry compensating her ‘very well as his assistant,’ his condition deteriorated to the point where she felt compelled to leave the job.
She elaborated: “But I knew that I could not watch him die. I would never, ever be able to live with myself.
“There were so many sleepless nights that I would go home and I would wake up at four in the morning texting him, ‘Are you alive? Are you alive? Just answer. Send me an emoji. Send me something that you are there.’
“I couldn’t sleep at night knowing what he was doing. And I think part of me stayed as long as I did, because if I didn’t stay, he would have been alone, and he would have just kept going.”
In January 2011, Edwards informed Perry that she could no longer continue in her role.
She stated: “I said, […] ‘I am sorry you [are] going to hate me, but we are getting you in rehab.'”
As Perry pursued sobriety, he openly shared his experiences and supported others struggling with addiction, even establishing a sober living facility.
During an interview on the Q With Tom Power podcast, Perry reflected: “When I die, I don’t want Friends to be the first thing that’s mentioned. I want that [helping people with addiction] to be the first thing that’s mentioned.
“And I’m gonna live the rest of my life proving that.”