Lily Allen has always been candid about her journey with both mental health and physical well-being, but during a recent episode of the Miss Me? podcast hosted by her and Miquita Oliver, the acclaimed “LDN” singer revealed that she is currently navigating a particularly challenging phase in her life. Initially, she hesitated to share this struggle with her therapist, highlighting the complexities of addressing mental health issues even for those who openly discuss them.

“I don’t think that I lie in therapy, but I do often not talk about things I should be addressing,” Allen confessed in this week’s episode. “It’s not intentional. Over the past few months, I’ve been grappling with significant challenges, and my relationship with food has deteriorated.” She went on to explain that these eating issues have persisted for nearly three years, yet it was only recently that she felt comfortable enough to discuss them with her therapist, signaling a crucial step in her healing journey.

“She asked me, ‘Why haven’t you mentioned it before?’” said Allen, who described her creative endeavors as a form of “performative therapy.” She finds it more manageable to express her feelings through music rather than engaging in “honest and vulnerable” dialogues with loved ones. “It’s not that I’ve been deceptive about it; it just hasn’t felt like a priority in our discussions. But clearly, it is something I need to address,” she acknowledged, underscoring the importance of prioritizing mental health conversations.

Addressing her struggles with visualizing the “big picture” of her mental health, Allen noted that her ADHD diagnosis might contribute to this challenge. “To me, my body and my brain feel like two completely separate entities,” she explained. “While many people perceive these aspects as interconnected, my experience is distinctly different. I often find myself lost in my thoughts, neglecting to consider my physical health and well-being.” This separation can complicate her relationship with food and self-care, making it crucial to reconnect those aspects.

Allen candidly shared her current mental state and how it manifests physically. “I’m really not in a great place mentally right now, and my eating habits are suffering. I’m not hungry, yet I know I should be,” she admitted. “My body and brain are so disconnected that the signals of hunger aren’t reaching my consciousness. I’m not intentionally avoiding food; I’m simply not aware of it because my thoughts are so consuming. It feels as though my body is lagging behind my mind.” This disconnect highlights the intricate relationship between mental health and physical health.

At 39 years old, Allen is married to Stranger Things actor David Harbour, and she has two daughters, aged 13 and 10, from her previous marriage to Sam Cooper. These personal experiences shape her understanding of family dynamics and mental health, illustrating that even those in the public eye face significant challenges regarding mental wellness.

Oliver reminded Allen, her lifelong friend and podcast partner, that her growing awareness of her physical sensations is a vital step towards healing. This reassurance resonated with the singer, who has previously shared her struggles with addiction, a battle that began in her school years as she turned to drugs and alcohol to cope with the resentment she felt from classmates when she chose to pursue a career in music instead of continuing her education.

In 2023, Allen disclosed her ADHD diagnosis, which she noted runs in her family. This revelation followed her candid discussions about suffering from PTSD after experiencing a stillbirth in 2010, showing her commitment to transparency regarding her struggles.

In July, Allen shared her surprising venture into selling pictures and videos of her feet on OnlyFans, revealing that just a few months after starting, she was earning more from this side hustle than from her music streams. “Imagine being an artist with nearly 8 million monthly listeners on Spotify but making more money from 1,000 subscribers to pictures of your feet,” she humorously noted in an October post, highlighting the unconventional avenues artists are exploring for income today.

Tune in to the episode below, where the discussion around food and mental health begins at the 9:55 mark.

If you or someone you know is struggling with disordered eating or an eating disorder, please reach out to the ANAD helpline at 1 (888) 375-7767 or the National Alliance for Eating Disorders at 1 (866) 662-1235 for support and guidance.