Gary Kemp started therapy after suffering sleepless nights and anxiety.
Gary Kemp started therapy during the COVID-19 pandemic
The Spandau Ballet star has revealed he noticed a dip in his mood during the COVID-19 lockdowns at the start of 2020 and his wife Lauren encouraged him to seek help from a therapist online who helped him explore his painful past and deal his grief over the death of his parents, who died within 48 hours of each other back in 2009.
He told The Times newspaper: "I was addicted to the 24-hour news cycle. I wasn’t sleeping and was very anxious. ... It was all fine until the therapist said, ‘Tell me a bit about your family,’ and that was it. I couldn’t talk for 10 minutes. I just fell apart. My parents, my life … so many things I haven’t grieved for properly."
However, Kemp is adamant he doesn't want to be seen as a "whingeing" rock star because he's very aware of his "privilege".
He added: "I have a life of complete privilege. I hate the idea of the whingeing, self-obsessed rock star. But maybe privilege is part of the problem.
"The life I’ve had compared with where my brother [Spandau Ballet bandmate Martin Kemp], my parents and I came from is just mind-blowing."
Gary went on to add: "Being a rock star is fundamentally ridiculous. I find it pathetic people not seeing their privilege."
He has poured his emotions into his latest solo album 'This Destination' and he's adamant musicians should use their issues to create art instead of just complaining.
Gary added: "Let’s just say it’s OK to examine your feelings but it should lead to something. It should lead to art."
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