Lola Young Breaks Silence on Stage Collapse and Addiction Struggle
British singer-songwriter Lola Young has spoken publicly for the first time about the harrowing incident last year when she collapsed and was carried off stage during a music festival in New York. The Messy hitmaker revealed that her addiction was the direct cause of the frightening episode at the All Things Go Music Festival held at Forest Hills Stadium in September.
A Turning Point in Recovery
Lola collapsed while performing her song Conceited and was swiftly removed from the stage by the technical team. In the aftermath, she made the difficult decision to cancel all her upcoming concerts indefinitely to focus entirely on her recovery journey. Reflecting on the criticism she faced, Lola told Rolling Stone magazine, "There was a bunch of hate, but you know what? F**k it." She elaborated, "[Going away] was a decision that I had to make... What else was I going to do? Die? That was the reality of where my addiction was heading."
Despite the trauma of the event, Lola expressed profound gratitude, stating she is "very grateful that it happened" because it served as a crucial turning point. This moment allowed her to embark on a path toward a "better future and better herself." She acknowledged her own agency in the situation, saying, "I chose to hurt myself and self-sabotage, and I also chose to get onstage and perform."
Support from Peers and Career Milestones
The singer also shared that she was deeply moved by the outpouring of support from fellow music stars, including messages from Katy Perry, Elton John, and Lady Gaga. Lola, who has previously entered rehab to address a cocaine addiction, has continued to achieve significant professional success. Earlier this year, she received five Brit Award nominations and, last month, secured her first Grammy for Best Pop Solo Performance for her hit single Messy.
Following her Grammy victory, Lola celebrated in a manner aligned with her sobriety, opting for an energy drink instead of alcohol at the star-studded Universal party, where she was spotted enjoying the festivities with icon Shania Twain. She remarked, "I am going to have an In-N-Out burger with my manager and everyone. I don't drink, but it's going to be fun anyway."
Navigating Schizoaffective Disorder
In 2022, Lola disclosed that she was diagnosed with schizoaffective disorder at the age of 17. She described the profound impact of this diagnosis in an Instagram post, writing, "I cant find the words to describe how much this diagnosis has affected my entire life, and my outlook on the world around me." She added, "I have struggled immensely learning to accept this part of myself, and I am still learning."
Lola emphasized that her mental health condition does not define her, stating, "I have to remind myself that I am a regular f****** person, I am human and I am, like everyone, capable of incredible things, my mental health condition does not define me. It is my superpower." Schizoaffective disorder, as defined by the NHS, combines symptoms of schizophrenia—such as hallucinations and delusions—with mood disorder symptoms like depression and mania.
Personal Challenges and Family History
The diagnosis came after years of struggling with what she initially believed was clinical depression and bipolar disorder. Lola revealed a family history of schizophrenia, with an uncle on each side of her family who both tragically died from the condition. She suspects that her own disorder may have been partly triggered by using cannabis to cope with undisclosed childhood trauma.
Lola explained that she can often sense the onset of a manic episode through unusual thoughts and typically manages it with medication, though she has experienced unexpected episodes that led to being sectioned. The unpredictability of her illness makes touring particularly challenging, with manic episodes sometimes lasting a month and causing severe sleep deprivation.
She admitted that her condition often brings feelings of guilt and shame, especially after incidents where she has been unwell in public, leading to a sense of isolation. Despite these hurdles, Lola continues to advocate for mental health awareness while pursuing her music career with resilience and honesty.
