Katy Perry Opens Up About Addiction And Suicidal Thoughts In Emotional Livestream
The singer talked about feeling “low” and “depressed” during a struggle with alcoholism. As Katy Perry livestreamed her life for 96 hours to celebrate the debut of her new album, “Witness,” she sat down with Viceland’s Dr. Siri Sat Nam Singh for a live therapy session Friday night. The hour-long discussion with the host of “The Therapist,” a reality show about mental health, focused on Perry’s self-image. The singer described how she felt caught between two personas: the pop superstar known as Katy Perry and a person embodied by her given name, Katheryn Hudson known to close friends and family. At times, Perry told Singh, she also battled alcoholism. That struggle led to suicidal thoughts and inspired her song “By The Grace of God” which appeared on her 2013 album, “Prism.” But the singer said that she felt “ashamed” about her thoughts of self-harm.
“Because of course, Katy Perry’s so strong,” she said, referencing her onstage persona, “I feel ashamed that I would have those thoughts, that I’d feel that low and that depressed.” Perry noted that she’s been in regular therapy for five years, attending with her family. Through the conversation, she recalled her conservative, “born-again Christian” upbringing in Santa Barbara, California. The singer moved to Nashville as a teenager to pursue a career in music and said that therapy has helped her family become closer. Oscillating between tearful introspection and channeling her larger-than-life pop star personality, Perry noted that she’s more of a “goofball” than people believe and more misguided, noting that she only recently realized hugging strangers isn’t “a sexual thing” and has been struggling to reconcile her public and private image. “I’m really strong as Katy Perry, and sometimes I’m not as strong as Katheryn Hudson,” she said. The singer appeared particularly upset at mention of her hair, which she cut earlier this year and credited to damage caused by bleach. During the livestream, Perry said she was partially inspired to change her appearance because “I so badly want to be Kathryn Hudson that I didn’t want to look like Katy Perry anymore.” But through her regular therapy sessions, the singer has made mental health a priority. “I really want to be my authentic self, 100 percent,” she said.
Katy Perry’s Admission Of Emotional And Mental Health Struggles Is Not Surprising
Susan Z’s Conclusion:
Perry’s approach to her music career and her flamboyant style has been her way of breaking free of the tight boundaries she was brought up with. In Life Coaching 101, it is called the pendulum swing. Going as far out as you can to not be identified by your past. Eventually you have the desire to become your authentic self and I believe this is what Perry is going through now.
The Wheel of Fortune:
This card is a destiny of going with the flow of life changes. This is certainly what Perry is going through at the moment. A sort of pop star identity crisis where you are two personas and trying to live with both.
The Lovers:
This card is about being in love. She has not had the best track record in romantic relationships so I am going to assume this card is about her falling in love with herself at this moment and what that feels like to her. I also feel that she puts a lot of emphasis on being in a relationship.
Princess of Cups:
This card is a young person with creative energy and also represents the inner child. I believe this card is showing her general naivety about life.
Susan Z Rich is an emotional addiction counselor, spiritual intuitive and holistic therapist. She counsels others to see life in a more positive way and teaches personal accountability for life choices. She is also the author of several children’s books and Soul Windows…Secrets From The Divine.