Ed Sheeran has opened up on his ongoing battle with depression, saying he has learned there’s no “magic pill” to make the condition go away.
The 34-year-old singer said he’s learned how to navigate ups and downs after a string of personal and professional setbacks – including the tragic death of his best friend Jamal Edwards, the cancer diagnosis of his wife Cherry, and a string of lawsuits.
In an interview for TIME’s annual TIME 100 list, Ed reflected, “One thing I’ve learned about depression is you don’t take a magic pill and it’s suddenly gone. But you can have periods of your life where you’re better, and periods of your life where you’re not. It gets less and less painful year on year, but always allow yourself to feel grief. Don’t put it in a box and lock it away.”
The death of Jamal Edwards had a strong impact on Ed, to which he still struggles to get over. Even with his personal losses, his albums “-” and “Autumn Variations” in 2023 had poor sales compared to his records in the past, adding another layer to his emotional toll. On a more positive note, Ed credits his friend Sir Elton John for being someone who reminded him every artist has their lows. “He’s had decades of his career where things haven’t gone well, and then suddenly he comes back with ‘The Lion King’ or something like that,” Ed said, sharing how Elton’s perspective helped him keep going.
Despite the plagiarism lawsuits that had turned him into a “piggy bank,” winning those cases truly freed Ed from any legal shackles. “Everyone’s left me the f*** alone – and the freedom really just lifted a weight,” he revealed. In a personal moment, Ed reflected on the times when he had to turn over his old devices as part of the evidence in his court case.
Not having used a phone for close to ten years, he was taken aback upon seeing a message from a friend who had passed away. “This isn’t healthy, trying to relive all of this,” he said. “I’m now 34, married with kids, and I’m looking forward rather than back.”
Ed’s openness about his journey shows that even the most successful artists struggle with mental health. If you or someone you know is going through something similar, it’s important to remember it’s okay to have bad days-and it’s more than okay to reach out for support.
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