Adam Lambert, who gained notoriety after his appearance on American Idol during its eighth season, recently posted an open letter to his fans on Twitter.
The letter contained an honest, heartfelt look at his recent struggles with depression and the changes he made to combat it.
Lambert also announced a new album and posted a preview of a new single "Feel Something."
In his letter, Adam discussed some of the things that caused him to become depressed and the people and choices that helped him pull himself "out of the darkness."
He began by thanking his fans for their unending support.
"First: Let me offer a most sincere than you for your patience and continued faith in me. You've pushed me to keep going even when I felt discouraged."
"I love making and performing music, but there have been many times where I've had to compromise my artistic vision, with executives making decisions based on money and not art."
He then explained:
"Don't get me wrong-I'm VERY proud of my body of work. But I'm coming out of a very dark period of second-guessing my own artistry and having my mental health suffer because of it."
"I started asking myself, 'is all this hustle really worth it?' I put all my focus on work and started to feel detached in my personal life. My self worth was suffering. I was lonely, and becoming depressed."
Lambert cited touring with Queen as being a positive influence in fighting depression as well.
"Luckily, I have also been touring with Queen which recharges me with tons of positive energy. The fans we perform for are so full of love, and Brian May and Roger Taylor are a joy to play music with and always remind me of my value."
"Together we have collaborated creatively on our tours and this helped me to reaffirm my confidence in my artistry. Working with Queen helped keep my head above water, and I am so grateful to the spirit of Freddie Mercury, who has always inspired me to push ahead boldly."
"With a bit of professional help, and the support of colleagues, friends and family, I pulled myself out of the darkness."
Adam made some radical changes in his life to get to where he wanted to be, both musically and emotionally.
"I decided to begin my next album on my own so I wouldn't be influenced by anything but my passion for music...I wanted to make the music I wanted to make, and to get in the headspace I was in when I first dreamed of being a singer-before playing the industry game started messing with my love for music."
"After the first few songs were written, I began to realize that the only way to get this new project released the way I envisioned it was to change up my team. So I hired a new management company and signed with a new record label. A fresh start!"
He also talks about his new single and the experiences that informed his writing.
"This was written about me climbing out of the low period, defying my disillusionment, owning my needs, and opening my heart. The life of a bachelor can be a laugh, with plenty of flings, but after a while it starts to feel empty."
"Between frustrations with my career and many lost connections, I felt numb-and though I wanted to fall in love, I knew I wasn't ready. That's what inspired me to cry out, 'I don't need to feel love, I just want to feel something!' It was in this realization that I took my first step toward self care and nursing my spirit back to health. This song is the emotional starting point of my new album."
The new song Lambert mentions in his letter, "Feel Something" is out now.
Adam Lambert - Feel Something www.youtube.com
Of the rest of the album, and his musical journey, Adam said:
"The tracks will chronicle the journey of taking responsibility for my own happiness and strength, and searching for intimacy. Since writing this song, I've found the joy I was missing and I'm back in my power. I can't wait for you to hear more!"
Fans were overwhelmingly supportive of Adam, and many expressed thanks that he was willing to share his experiences so candidly.
Many folks are awaiting the new album with bated breath.
Adam's candidness about his struggles with depression, especially the factors in his life that contributed to it and how he is fighting it, go a long way towards helping to destigmatize discussions about mental health.
Celebrities are people too and they can deal with all of the same issues in life as the rest of us.
