Looking back to when I was spiraling out of control with drugs and alcohol and an eating disorder and various other things, I want to kick myself because all I had to do was admit I had a problem and the opportunity for help was in front of my face. So my advice to those who are struggling with the same things I still struggle with is to speak up. Asking for help does not make you weak. Help is out there and recovery is possible. Please don’t give up your fight.

Because my life basically unfolded in front of the world. I didn’t want to sweep it under the rug and not tell my fans, the very people who were sending me letters and getting me through those three months in treatment, what was really going on with their so-called ‘idol.’ I wasn’t going to be that person who hid their imperfections, but fessing up in front of the world about my self harm issues, being a bulimic, having depression and bipolar disorder, and the drug and alcohol problems I was facing behind their backs was extremely difficult at first.

Yes, I’m not perfect and I’m not claiming to be, but that’s the thing with being a person: no one is perfect. No photoshopped magazine cover or edited vocal track will ever make anyone think I’m ‘perfect’ and that’s the way I want it to be. I just want to be me, and introducing the world to that side of me helped me finally get that acceptance I’ve always wanted.