‘I’ve never been more insecure in my life’: How Lewis Capaldi opened up about heart-wrenching battle with Tourette’s syndrome in Netflix documentary – before fans stepped in to help him while struggling with symptoms at Glastonbury
- The singer, 26, spoke about living with Tourette’s in ‘How I’m Feeling Now’
Lewis Capaldi opened up about his heartbreaking struggle with Tourette’s syndrome in a Netflix documentary released two months before having symptoms while performing at Glastonbury festival.
The singer-songwriter became emotional as he started losing his voice on stage during the five-day music extravaganza, prompting him to apologise to the crowds – who then helped him finish his songs in heartwarming footage that quickly went viral.
He took to social media today to announce he will not be touring ‘for the foreseeable future’ as it is ‘obvious’ he needs to spend ‘much more time getting my mental and physical health in order.’
Lewis’ honest message came after had previously opened up about living with Tourette’s in a documentary released in April.
‘I’ve never been more insecure in my life than I am, and I think it’s got worse the more successful I’ve got,’ the singer admitted in ‘How I’m Feeling Now’.
Lewis Capaldi has broken his silence on his Glastonbury performance, thanking fans for their support as he confirmed he will be taking a break from touring
Lewis, 26, spoke about the pressure of the ‘clock ticking’ while writing his second album.
He also talked about suffering with anxiety, and feelings of being in a ‘race against a clock to get my mental health in order’.
The star also opened up about suffering from bodily twitches while performing live in the Netflix programme.
Before he received the diagnosis, he had experienced shoulder twitches that he explained eventually ‘became out of control’.
‘I didn’t know what it was at the time,’ Capaldi uncovered in the film.
He said: ‘This twitch became out of control, and it was awful. It was absolutely horrific.
‘I started to get in my head about these pressures. ‘F***, there’s skin in the game now.’ Rather than me just singing my silly little songs. Other people are depending on me.’
Lewis revealed he feared he’d never be able to perform again after his mental health struggles and twitches became ‘out of control’.
The singer also admitted that he began to suffer with unbearable back pain leaving him unable to even write new music.
Lewis confessed that he struggles to remember his 2020 tour because he was ‘so scared’ and he began to suffer from severe panic attacks.
‘My twitch gets worse when I sit down to play piano, physically painful. And I get really short of breath and it’s like my back f*****g kills me when I go to do it.’
Lewis revealed he feared he’d never be able to perform again after his mental health struggles and twitches became ‘out of control’
Posting on Instagram on Tuesday, Lewis confirmed that he was cancelling the planned 24 live dates he had scheduled for the rest of the year
Lewis Capaldi performs at Day 4 of Glastonbury Festival 2023
People sing along as Lewis Capaldi performs on the Pyramid Stage
The crowds at Glastonbury helped him finish his songs in heartwarming footage that quickly went viral
Detailing his panic attacks, the BRIT Award winner added: ‘It feels like I’m going insane. Completely disconnected from reality.
‘I can’t breathe. I get dizzy. I’m sweating, my whole body starts convulsing. Either I feel like I’m going to be stuck with it forever or I’m going to die.’
Lewis talked about the impact of his Tourette’s on his career, revealing how his tics are getting ‘quite bad’ on stage – as he fears he will have to ‘pack music in’ if he does ‘irreparable damage’.
The singer admitted making music can make his symptoms worse.
Lewis said he was diagnosed with Tourette’s syndrome in September, adding that he wanted to go public as he ‘didn’t want people to think he was taking cocaine’.
Today Lewis announced an extended break from touring after he struggled to finish his Glastonbury set on Saturday – raising fears over the future of his music career.
He branded the decision as ‘the most difficult of my life’.
Fans took to social media to rally around the star, as one wrote: ‘If you don’t record or perform again, we all will be sad. But you have done more than millions of people, have done. You are enough, you have done enough. Look after yourself!’
Lewis posted on his social media: ‘Hello everyone. First of all thank you to Glastonbury for having me, for singing along when I needed it and for all the amazing messages afterwards. It really does mean the world.
‘The fact that this probably won’t come as a surprise doesn’t make it any easier to write, bit I’m very sorry to let you know I’m going to be taking a break from touring for the foreseeable future.
Scottish singer Lewis Capaldi performing on The Pyramid Stage on day 4 of the Glastonbury festival
‘I used to be able to enjoy every second of shows like this and I’d hoped 3 weeks away would sort me out. But the truth is I’m still learning to adjust to the the impact of my Tourette’s and on Saturday it became obvious that I need to spend much more time getting my mental and physical health in order, so I can keep doing everything I love for a long time to come.’
‘I know I’m incredibly fortunate to be able to take some time out when others can’t and I’d like to thank my amazing family, friends, team, medical professionals and all of you who’ve been so supportive every step of the way through the good times and even more during this past year when I’ve needed it more than ever.’
‘I’m so incredibly sorry to everyone who had planned to come to a show before the end of the year but I need to feel well to perform at the standard you all deserve. Playing for you every night is all I’ve ever dreamed of so this has been the most difficult decision of my life. I’ll be back as soon as I possible can. All my love always, Lewis’.
Dr. Monika Wassermann has a specialty in neurology and an extensive background in treating patients with Tourette’s syndrome.
She told MailOnline today: ‘Lewis Capaldi’s openness about his struggle with Tourette’s Syndrome has been a source of inspiration for many.
‘He has shown that it’s possible to have a successful career in a demanding profession despite dealing with a neurological condition.
‘His decision to prioritise his health and take a break from touring also sends a strong message about the importance of self-care.’
WHAT IS TOURETTE’S SYNDROME?
Tourette’s syndrome is a neurological condition characterised by a combination of involuntary noises and movements called tics.
It usually starts during childhood and continues into adulthood. Tics can be either be vocal or physical.
In many cases Tourette’s syndrome runs in families and it’s often associated with obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) or attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).
Tourette’s syndrome is named after the French doctor, Georges Gilles de la Tourette, who first described the syndrome and its symptoms in the 19th century.
There’s no cure for Tourette’s syndrome, but treatment can help to control the symptoms.
Source: NHS Choices
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