Kerry Katona Reflects on Mental Health Struggles After Infamous Interview

Kerry Katona has opened up about her mental health struggles following an infamous interview on the daytime programme *This Morning* in 2008. The former singer, now 45, revealed that after the broadcast, she experienced overwhelming feelings of despair, stating she “wanted to kill myself.” The interview, characterized by her slurred speech, raised concerns that she was under the influence of alcohol, a claim she later clarified was due to her medication for bipolar disorder.

The highly publicized appearance occurred while Katona was meant to promote her MTV reality series, *Crazy in Love*. Katona noted that she returned home late the night before after filming an episode of *Celebrity Juice*. She explained on the *We Need To Talk* podcast hosted by Paul C Brunson that she had taken her medication later than usual. “When you’ve had that medication the night before, the next day my speech can be a bit slow,” she said, emphasizing that she believed she sounded normal at the time.

Reflecting on her experience, Katona shared her feelings of panic as she faced the media scrutiny. “ITV was my home,” she recalled, expressing her love for the network. Yet, during that moment, she felt sheer panic, noting, “I think it’s still to this day, the number one car crash interview ever of all time until Prince Andrew did his.” Her distress was compounded by the presence of paparazzi and cameras outside her home, leading her to question what she had done wrong.

In the interview, host Phillip Schofield asked her directly if she was “ok,” to which she insisted she was fine. The conversation took a turn when co-host Fearne Britton questioned her about addiction, prompting her to deny any issues with alcohol. Katona later stated that while she does not blame Schofield or Britton for their inquiries, she believes “the way they went about it” was inappropriate.

At the time of the interview, mental health issues were not widely understood, and Katona had not disclosed her bipolar disorder. Her therapist had advised her against speaking openly about her condition, fearing a lack of understanding from the public. Despite the turmoil it caused, Katona now reflects on the interview as an opportunity to discuss mental health during a period when it was still considered taboo.

In subsequent discussions, Katona expressed frustration over how she became more known for her personal struggles than her achievements. “After my *This Morning* interview, you thought I’d killed somebody,” she remarked on *Slingo’s Getting Lippy Gossip Show*. She explained that her speech difficulties stemmed from a combination of her medication and her ADHD, which affected her pronunciation.

Kerry Katona’s story serves as a poignant reminder of the importance of mental health awareness and understanding. Through her openness, she has contributed to ongoing conversations about mental health, encouraging others to seek help and fostering greater acceptance in society.