Katy Perry has opened up about her struggle with depression and suicidal thoughts during a low point in her mental health in 2017, saying she was "clinically depressed" and "fantasising about not being around."
The singer, who recently welcomed her first child Daisy Dove with Orlando Bloom, was speaking candidly with interviewer Gail King on CBS This Morning, as she discussed her new album, motherhood, and her experiences with depression.
Recalling how she felt three years ago, Katy explained, "I started writing these songs when I was in my darkest place. I was clinically depressed, I wasn't even having bouts of depression, it was like I could not get out bed."
Katy continued, saying that she thinks her depression was down to "a combo of a lot of things."
"In 2017, my career didn't really meet my own personal expectations, things started to shift, and I had broken up with Orlando [Bloom]. I wasn't getting high off of my own supply anymore and then I was like, 'Oh wow, I've given all of the responsibility of my self-worth outward,'" she explained.
Katy went on to say that she was "always getting some form of help," for her mental health, adding that she "was fantasising about not being around."
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"You start thinking about things like that and if I did that, I would kinda have the last word or be able to control the chaos and the sadness. I'm so grateful that it didn't go there," she continued.
Discussing the release of her new album Smile, Katy described her latest project as her own "touchstone of coming out of hell."
Katy has been fairly vocal recently when it comes to discussing her mental health, previously opening up about making the decision to take medication.
"I was so ashamed about being on medication because I was like: 'I wrote Firework,'" she explained. "But it was one of those things where I’d sprained my brain a little bit."
If you are struggling with your mental health and need free, confidential support, call Samaritans on 116 123 or use their contact page, here.
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Emily Gulla was Cosmopolitan UK’s Former Editorial Assistant/Junior Entertainment and Lifestyle Writer, covering celebs, TV and film for the site, magazine and video. She’s interviewed the casts of your favourite TV shows, from Bridgerton to Derry Girls and Stranger Things, as well as dozens of Love Islanders. She also loves getting stuck into long-read features, writing on all things digital culture (including her favourite topic: memes), and dating - having appeared on the radio to discuss dating.
Emily's work has also been published on ELLE, Women's Health, Harper's Bazaar, Digital Spy and more. She holds a First Class degree in English with Film Studies from King's College London, and even wrote her dissertation on Love Island. You can find Emily on Instagram and LinkedIn, and can see more of her work on her website.
