Tony Bennett says Lindsay Lohan and other artists who use drugs are “sinning against their talents.” The crooning legend told us at his and wife Susan Benedetto‘s Exploring the Arts gala: “Everybody has a gift, and these young stars should learn how to celebrate life, feel good about living, and do what they love. It will turn them around, and they won’t end up doing something that will kill them.”
Bennett, 85, who dabbled with cocaine as a young man, also said, “Woody Allen‘s manager, Jack Rollins, used to handle Lenny Bruce, who was a brilliant comedian, but was hooked on heroin. He said something that changed my life. He said: ‘He sinned against his talent.’ It affected me so much that I just got rid of everything.” More than $1 million for arts programs in public schools was raised at Monday night’s gala. Benedetto told us, “We’ve got to get the word out how important quality arts education is.”