Singer Michelle Heaton has publicly credited her friend, former glamour model Katie Price, for playing a pivotal role in her decision to become sober after years of struggling with a severe alcohol addiction that nearly cost her her life.
The Turning Point: A Sobering Night Out
The 45-year-old Liberty X star, who is now a proud mother-of-two, revealed that a specific night out with friends, including Katie Price, served as the crucial wake-up call. Heaton, who has been sober for four years, admitted that while her friends were not drinking, she had gone out with the intention of having a 'good time' fueled by alcohol.
She told the Daily Mail, "It was frustrating thinking ‘why can't I stop, I can't tell anybody because no one's going to have the same problem.’ So I was out with a few friends and one was Katie and they weren't drinking. It made me think ‘what the f**k? I've come here to have a good time.’ But I wasn't having a good time, that's the point, the drink was not giving me any joy."
Seeing her friends socialise without alcohol inspired her, making her think that if they could do it, so could she. This moment of clarity in 2021 marked the beginning of her recovery journey.
A History of Struggle and Hospitalisation
Michelle Heaton's battle with alcohol is long-standing, reportedly beginning around the time she joined the pop band Liberty X. She suffered from imposter syndrome and believed she needed a drink to calm her nerves before performances.
At the peak of her addiction, her consumption was dangerously high. Heaton reportedly drank two bottles of wine and a bottle of vodka nearly every day. This excessive drinking led to a serious health crisis, and she was hospitalised in 2021, an event that starkly highlighted the life-threatening nature of her situation.
She confessed to the internal conflict she faced, stating there were "many times when I wanted to stop drinking, but I couldn't, and then I didn't want to tell anybody I couldn't because I'd already told them I was stopping."
Embracing a New, Healthy Lifestyle
Now, four years into her sobriety, Michelle Heaton has completely transformed her life. She focuses on healthy living, which includes regular workouts and mindful eating. She and her husband, Irish businessman Hugh Hanley, own a gym and often exercise together.
She told OK! Magazine, "I’m living proof you can do it, even from rock bottom. My poor body has been through a lot. I have a new-found respect for it. I get my sleep... Nothing beats that feeling – you never regret doing a workout."
She has also addressed cross-addiction, noting that she used to binge-eat, but now chooses healthier options. Despite her success, Heatan remains vigilant, describing herself as "in recovery" rather than "recovered," acknowledging that old demons could potentially return in the future.
Michelle shares two children, Faith, 13, and AJ, 11, with her husband Hugh, and her family is a central part of her motivation for maintaining her sobriety.
