Home WebMail Friday, November 1, 2024, 08:31 AM | Calgary | -4.8°C | Regions Advertise Login | Our platform is in maintenance mode. Some URLs may not be available. |
Posted: 2020-01-24T21:10:59Z | Updated: 2020-01-29T17:28:50Z

With six nominations, Billie Eilish looks poised to win big at the 2020 Grammy Awards on Sunday. Critical acclaim and the stardom that followed, however, havent diminished her longstanding mental health concerns.

In a new interview with CBSs Gayle King , the singer-songwriter revealed she spent months leading up to the release of her hit album, When We All Fall Asleep, Where Do We Go? navigating depression.

I was so unhappy last year, she said in the interview, which aired as part of The Gayle King Grammy Special on Thursday. I was so unhappy, and I was so joyless.

Many of Eilishs longtime friends couldnt relate to her newfound fame and, as a result, she became increasingly isolated and prone to self-harm, even as her songs were riding high on the charts. In her chat with King, she recalled contemplating suicide during a tour stop in Germany.

I dont want to be too dark, but I genuinely didnt think I would make it to 17, said Eilish, who turned 18 in December. I think about this one time I was in Berlin and I was alone in my hotel And I remember there was a window right there I remember crying because I was thinking about how the way that I was going to die was ... I was going to do it.

Eilish told King she referenced her struggles in the song Bury a Friend , which features the lyrics: Today, Im thinkin about the things that are deadly, the way Im drinkin you down/Like I wanna drown, like I wanna end me.

These days, the Los Angeles native finds herself in a much healthier state of mind and credits her mother, Maggie Baird , with convincing her not to end her own life. In addition to securing a therapist for Eilish, Baird said she immediately scaled back her daughters performance schedule and show business-related commitments to allow more time for self-care.

Your Support Has Never Been More Critical

Other news outlets have retreated behind paywalls. At HuffPost, we believe journalism should be free for everyone.

Would you help us provide essential information to our readers during this critical time? We can't do it without you.

You've supported HuffPost before, and we'll be honest we could use your help again . We view our mission to provide free, fair news as critically important in this crucial moment, and we can't do it without you.

Whether you give once or many more times, we appreciate your contribution to keeping our journalism free for all.

You've supported HuffPost before, and we'll be honest we could use your help again . We view our mission to provide free, fair news as critically important in this crucial moment, and we can't do it without you.

Whether you give just one more time or sign up again to contribute regularly, we appreciate you playing a part in keeping our journalism free for all.

Support HuffPost

Eilish told King shed like to use her own experiences to pay it forward to her young fans, many of whom might be grappling with mental health concerns of their own.

I just grab them by the shoulders and Im like, Please take care of yourself and be good to yourself and be nice to yourself, she said. Dont take that extra step and hurt yourself further.

If you or someone you know needs help, call 1-800-273-8255 for the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline . You can also text HOME to 741-741 for free, 24-hour support from the Crisis Text Line . Outside of the U.S., please visit the International Association for Suicide Prevention for a database of resources.