Lily Allen, the renowned British singer-songwriter, recently revealed her decision to take a break from the public eye due to ongoing mental health challenges. The announcement came during a candid conversation on her BBC podcast, Miss Me?, co-hosted by Miquita Oliver.
Allen, 39, expressed her current disinterest in most things, citing a deep struggle with her mental well-being. She confessed to feeling “really not in a good place,” describing a worsening spiral of negative emotions that has become overwhelming. The “Not Fair” singer shared specific instances where her mental health significantly impacted her ability to participate in social events, including a panic attack that forced her to leave a Christmas lunch and another incident where she had to depart a theater performance at halftime.
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():focal(749×0:751×2)/lily-allen-david-harbour-stranger-things-the-first-shadow-gala-010925-1-69a25d4094cb4dd48731567b0ee7ca85.jpg)
Allen, who married actor David Harbour in 2020, admitted that her mental health struggles have made it incredibly difficult to focus on anything other than the emotional pain she’s experiencing. She emphasized the severity of her situation, stating that it’s “really, really hard.”
The singer confirmed her intention to take a break, informing her podcast listeners that they wouldn’t hear from her for a few weeks. While addressing “vicious rumors,” Allen explicitly denied that her break was related to a relapse or a need for rehab, becoming visibly emotional during the announcement. Allen’s representatives did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
Despite achieving five years of sobriety, Allen has consistently been open about her past struggles with substance abuse and her ongoing journey to maintain a healthy lifestyle. In a past interview with The Times, she acknowledged the prevalence of addiction within her family, describing self-medication as an almost inevitable path for her.
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():focal(749×0:751×2)/lily-allen-marnie-rose-cooper-ethel-cooper-david-harbour-stranger-things-season-4-premiere-031224-1-88a99d0e34cb4bff9aec7f7cd6f080cb.jpg)
Allen’s commitment to sharing her experiences stems from a belief that her story can help others navigate similar challenges. As an ambassador for the British addiction charity Forward Trust, she emphasizes the non-linear nature of sobriety and the importance of open dialogue. In addition to substance abuse, Allen has also discussed her mental health struggles on her podcast, revealing a three-year battle with disordered eating that she had previously kept hidden from her therapist. She acknowledged unintentionally omitting crucial details during therapy sessions, explaining that her eating issues hadn’t felt like a priority topic at the time. However, she emphasized the significant impact these struggles have had on her overall well-being.
If you or someone you know needs mental health help, text “STRENGTH” to the Crisis Text Line at 741-741 to be connected to a certified crisis counselor. For those struggling with an eating disorder, resources are available at NationalEatingDisorders.org.
