Louisa Johnson opens up about depression battle and heartbreaking X Factor regret
The singer said she wished she’d done things differently after winning the ITV talent show as she opens up about her mental health battles
Louisa Johnson has opened up about her battle with anxiety and depression in the years since winning the X Factor.
The Essex native auditioned for the ITV talent show at the age of 17, and after impressing viewers with her stunning vocals was signed to Simon Cowell’s record label – after beating Reggie ‘n Bollie in the final.
But after her glittering win, Louisa said life quickly became a ‘whirlwind of emotions’ that sent her spiralling to the point where she didn’t feel like getting out of bed in the morning.
“It’s weird because this was always my dream – it’s what I’ve always wanted to do – but when I was literally living the dream, I didn’t remember things. I couldn’t even tell you what I did during the first two years of my career – I have no idea,” Louisa reveals in this week’s new! magazine.
“It was just a whirlwind of emotions and I didn’t want to get out of bed to do these things I’ve always wanted to do,” she added.
“Looking back now, I wish I did, but you can’t change things. I feel lucky that I came out of the other side of it and I’ve got good people around me,” she admitted.
Louisa says she was naive to the downsides of pop star life and wishes she’d been able to speak up for herself more.
“Personally, I wish I’d been a little bit older [when auditioning]” she told the magazine.
“In a way I wish I’d known more and maybe been a bit more stern about what I wanted, but then again it’s all part of my journey and I wouldn’t be who I am otherwise,” she reflected.
Louisa, now 22, said she now feels as though she’s overcome a lot of her struggles with depression and anxiety and now lives by her mum’s words – ‘Everything is temporary.’
“Each day is like a new start for me,” she explained, adding that she relies on therapy to talk through her problems after medication did not work for her.
“I sometimes don’t feel like doing it, but it’s one of the best ways to heal,” she explained.
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