August 29th 2024.
A former X Factor contestant has recently made a major change in his life, almost 14 years after winning the popular singing competition. Matt Cardle, who emerged victorious on Simon Cowell's show in 2010, has opened up about this transformation and how it has had a positive impact on him.
The 41-year-old musician rose to fame after his victory on the show, where he beat out other talented contestants such as Rebecca Ferguson and One Direction, who came in second and third place respectively. However, with fame came its own set of challenges for Matt. He struggled with the pressures of the music industry and eventually sought help by checking into rehab in 2013 for issues related to alcohol and prescription drug addiction.
In the years that followed, Matt has been vocal about his battle with addiction. Now, he has revealed that he has made the decision to go sober and has stopped drinking since January. According to the singer, this has not only been better for his health, but has also had a positive impact on his music. He mentioned that he writes his best music when he has a clear and sober mind.
Speaking to The Sun, Matt shared, "I made a conscious decision to knock drinking on the head. I wanted to see what happened when I got, not clean because it wasn't a problem so to speak, but sober and focused again to see what life is like. Life is always better when I'm not drinking. Life has been great."
He went on to say that the results of being sober are only visible when one truly gives it a chance. Matt believes that going sober has not only helped his writing, but also his personal life and everything in between. In 2018, he opened up about his struggles with addiction and admitted that he was strangely grateful for going through that dark phase as it led to him creating his fourth studio album, Time to be Alive.
Reflecting on this, he said, "It's from being through rehab and talking about everything, and realising that you can't run from the things that hurt you and you have to face up to life. It's Ying and Yang. There are beautiful things that happen and dark and painful things. And, I was running away, and that's where it got me at the end of the day."
Since his time on The X Factor, Matt has released four studio albums. His latest music venture, an EP called Purple Crayon, delves into his struggles with addiction to valium and was released in 2021. He has also ventured into stage performances, including a role in the West End musical & Juliet.
Despite his success in the entertainment industry, Matt has managed to keep his private life away from the spotlight over the past 14 years. However, he has recently been featured in various stage productions, showcasing his talent and versatility as a performer.
In light of his personal journey, Matt also wants to raise awareness about drug addiction and offer support to those who may be struggling. He encourages people to reach out to organizations such as Frank, which provides confidential advice about drugs and addiction, or the NHS, which offers information about getting help. Additionally, Adfam and DrugFam have support groups and resources for families and individuals affected by drug and alcohol misuse.
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