Alex Lloyd has revealed why he disappeared from the public eye after achieving success in the early 2000s.
The Australian singer-songwriter, who was catapulted to fame with the song Amazing, performed to sold-out shows and topped the Triple J Hottest 100 list, before vanishing from the music scene.
Speaking on Monday’s episode of Australian Story, the 50-year-old explained how legal battles, drug addiction and a marriage breakdown saw him retreat from the spotlight – and why he’s ready to make music again over a decade later.
‘I’ve had extreme highs. I’m not saying I’m not lucky, but there’s been some f***ing heavy s**t too,’ he said on the program.
Diving into his ‘chaotic’ childhood, Alex candidly revealed the struggles he faced living with his mother and her abusive partner and how he found solace in music as a busker.
The death of Alex’s mother led him to a low point, but a few years later he went on to write the chart-topping song Amazing, which achieved widespread success.
Alex Lloyd has revealed why he disappeared from the public eye after achieving success in the early 2000s. Pictured
Alex’s high was short-lived when, in 2008, he was sued by a truck driver who alleged that he co-wrote the song with Alex shortly after his mother’s passing.
Despite the case eventually being withdrawn, Alex was left with $300,000 in legal fees and the revisited trauma of his mother’s death, which he said ‘just comes and bites you in the arse’.
‘That court case made me go back to a place I didn’t want to go back to. ’Cus I was the happiest guy on the planet before that,’ he said.
Soon after, Alex split from his wife and mother of his four children, Amelia Wasiliev, turning to alcohol and food to numb the pain.
‘I lost my drive, I’d lost my passion to do things,’ he confessed.
‘I was 168kg and I was going out doing shows in front of 10,000 people, winery gigs, with my face on a massive screen.
‘I didn’t feel very good about myself and I didn’t want to be on stage, but I needed the money.’
The musician also struggled with chronic neck pain, an ailment that saw his doctor prescribe him the dangerously addictive opioid oxycodone, also called oxycontin.
Speaking on Monday’s episode of Australian Story, the 50-year-old explained how legal battles, drug addiction and a marriage breakdown saw him retreat from the spotlight. Pictured in July
‘I lost my drive, I’d lost my passion to do things,’ he confessed. ‘I was 168kg and I was going out doing shows in front of 10,000 people…’
‘I had no idea what I was getting into with that drug, and I tried to get off it myself so many times,’ he said of the medication.
However, against all odds, Alex has come out the other end ready to try again.
The former star underwent surgery on his stomach to control his weight, had a neck operation to alleviate his pain and received drug counselling to kick his painkiller addiction.
Alex is now three years clean and making a grand return to what he loves most, music, releasing his first studio album in 12 years.
‘Now, I’m seeing the world differently. And I think I’m ready to share this part of me now and be scrutinised again,’ he shared.
If you, or someone you know would like to talk to someone confidentially about addiction, contact Lifeline on 13 11 14.
