Ed Sheeran has opened up about his ongoing battle with depression, revealing that he has learned there’s no “magic pill” to make it go away.
The 34-year-old singer shared that after facing a series of personal and professional challenges, including the death of his best friend, Jamal Edwards, his wife Cherry’s cancer diagnosis, and a series of lawsuits, he has learned to navigate the ups and downs of mental health.
In an interview for TIME’s annual TIME 100 list, Ed reflected on his journey, saying, “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 loss of Jamal Edwards hit Ed hard, and it’s something he still struggles with. While he’s dealt with personal losses, his 2023 albums “-” and “Autumn Variations” didn’t perform as well as his past records, which added another layer to his emotional toll. But Ed credits his friend, Sir Elton John, for reminding him that every artist goes through 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 feeling like a “piggy bank” due to the plagiarism lawsuits, Ed found a sense of freedom after winning the legal battles. “Everyone’s left me the f*** alone – and the freedom really just lifted a weight,” he admitted.
In a personal moment, Ed also reflected on the past when he had to turn over his old devices as part of the evidence in his court case. Having not used a phone for nearly a decade, he was overwhelmed when he saw 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 that it’s okay to have bad days – and it’s okay to reach out for support.
