Anne-Marie speaks out about her struggles with mental health: ‘I’m a very sensitive person’
(Randy Shropshire/Getty)
The singer-songwriter, Anne-Marie, has spoken candidly about her struggles with mental health in a video released on Friday.
The interview, called ‘Becoming Anne-Marie’ and shot in Dublin when the star opened for Ed Sheeran, touches on her struggles with anxiety and feeling low.
Anne-Marie, who has had several charting songs including “2002” and “Alarm,” says that her battles with her emotions have led her to where she is today.
“I remember not being that happy, I was starting to think about what people thought of me. I just made it worse for myself, I’m a very sensitive person but it’s definitely me overreacting as well,” says the platinum-selling pop star.
(Photo by Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images)
She adds: “Whenever I do a live show I’m constantly reminding myself of what I’ve been through and that I’ve moved on from that and got stronger than that.”
“The thought of fame scares me. I’m anxious most of the day, it isn’t until I walk onto the stage and then the stage is just my safe place.
“I am an empath, so if I see a sad person I get really really low, but when you’re on stage you don’t really see sad people in the crowd so maybe that’s why I love it.”
The clip is the first in a series of VEVO LIFT videos on YouTube, showing backstage interviews and live performances with the artist.
The songwriting process has helped her to deal with her anxiety, Anne-Marie says.
“Sometimes I don’t know that I felt a certain way until I write it down on a piece of paper.
“I think I almost use it as a therapy session and use it to get things off my chest and get my feelings out.”
Anne-Marie at an awards show (Photo by John Phillips/John Phillips/Getty)
Now the pop artist is hoping that other people can overcome their difficulties with her music too.
“I want people to come to a gig and feel like they’ve been through a therapy session themselves,” she says in the interview.
She carries on to say: “I feel like I want to protect everyone and make other people feel as if they’re strong.”
Giving advice to her younger self, Anne-Marie tells herself to accept the times when she has struggled in the past as they have got her to where she is today.
Anne-Marie on stage (Eamonn M. McCormack/Getty)
Anne-Marie achieved a number one hit in 20 countries alongside Sean Paul on Clean Bandit’s “Rockabye,” while her debut album was released in April this year.
She revealed in April that she was attracted to women, saying that she did not limit her attractions by gender.
She said: “I’ve never ever just been attracted to men. I’ve never just been attracted to women.”
“I’ve never felt the need to tell anyone that I’m bisexual.”
