Jessica Simpson recently released a new single, ‘Particles’ and a very emotional music video that gives the world a glimpse of reality when it comes to addiction.
The song, originally from the rock band Nothing But Thieves, tells the story of a person struggling with addiction. The person destroys their most valued relationships by pushing away those closest to them. The 41-year-old recently celebrated four years of sobriety after just opening up last year about her addiction. In her memoir Open Book, she blamed her addiction to pills and alcohol on ‘lack of self-love and self-respect.
‘I Was Killing Myself with All the Drinking and Pills’
Simpson started abusing pills and alcohol to cope with unresolved trauma caused by sexual abuse, mounting career pressures and other stressors. The singer realized she had spiraled out of control after her doctor informed her that her stimulant dependency had become life-threatening. She decided to put her music career on hold until she could sort through her problems which had taken a toll on her children.
In her memoir, Jessica recalled a Halloween where she missed taking her kids out trick or treating because a bottle too consumed her. “I was terrified of letting [my kids] see me in that shape. I am ashamed to say that I don’t know who got them into their costumes that night.”
The singer even admitted to sleeping in the following day to avoid seeing the disappointment from her children. That morning her friends and family staged an intervention to save Jessica, and she hasn’t looked back since.
After mysteriously alluding to a return to music with several teasers across social media, ‘Particles’ was finally released, confirming Jessica’s return.
The latest video from the pop star debuts a vulnerable version of Jessica that was never previously seen in her effervescent pop ballads. She is sitting alone in a dimly lit room as she sings, “Oh doctor please, this don’t feel right, oh can’t you give me something, to get me through the night, oh if it all falls apart.”
The single marked Simpson’s first release in over a decade from the singer, which fans have praised as a ‘moving and meaningful’ cover. She even shared an unrecognizable photo with fans on Instagram showing the former alcoholic at one of her lowest points in life.
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Simpson says she is ‘finally free’ after her battle with demons is permanently laid to rest. The ‘gospel girl gone bad’ persona is now behind her.
When the 18-year-old arrived on the music scene over two decades ago, the Christian label that signed her said that she was too pretty to be a Christian singer. Being the daughter of a minister and raised in a deeply religious home, the singer faced aversion from the very beginning. She felt forced to turn to pop music, which started a long battle with mental health. These obstacles likely contributed to the singer’s struggle with addiction as she had to put on a ‘fake’ persona to meet industry standards instead of being true to her faith. She had to keep up a ‘perfect’ appearance.
Simpson is in a much healthier mindset now, and we look forward to watching her regain her confidence with music where she excels best.
Watch the video in full below.
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