The musician talks to DIVA about her new single and mental well-being journey
BY NIC CROSARA
Back in August, Lucy Spraggan celebrated the 10th anniversary of her first X Factor audition by releasing her single, Everything Changes. As we near the end of 2022, the musician is showing no signs of slowing down and she’s rounding out this year with a bang. She’s been putting the finishing touches on her new album and memoir, both called Process. Lucy sat down with DIVA to tell us all about working on her latest projects as well as her mental well-being journey.
DIVA: Hey Lucy! Thank you for speaking with DIVA. Congratulations on the release of your new single, Balance. Can you tell me about the inspiration behind this track?
Lucy: I wrote Balance after a breakthrough session with my therapist. I’ve gone through life so far thinking that being independent and doing things by myself were a part of who I was. She reminded me that there is an option to reach out, share my experiences and ask for help. It’s changed my life.
You’ve been very open about both your fitness and mental health journey. How does your physical and mental well-being intersect?
Until I started training, I saw my body and brain as two separate things. That has very much changed for me now. Being active and moving my body is probably one of the most important parts of my self-care. I fight a lot now and fighting makes me feel so strong and capable. When my brain isn’t at its best I naturally stop training as much, so I’m always working on my well-being rituals and my mental health.
Can you tell me about your upcoming album and memoir and what sparked your motivation behind both?
My album is also called Balance and it’s a pretty reflective record. It’s about a lot of things thematically, but when I heard all of the songs together I realised that it is mostly about the last couple of years and trying to find balance in my life. There are songs about addiction, body dysmorphia and OCD. It’s a really topical one. My memoir, Process, gives away a lot in its title! As well as talking about things I have never spoken publicly about, I am talking about the process through my life and through trauma. I learned a lot about myself on my way through sobriety and therapy and I did a lot of things that weren’t so great in the middle bit.
I imagine writing a memoir can be an intense experience of self-reflection. Did you notice how your relationship with your identity has changed over the years?
It was, and is, extremely intense. Identity is something that came up a lot throughout the writing process. I spent the first 11 years of my life as a boy called Max and exploring that showed me that lots of the issues I’ve had with my body image came from never really saying goodbye to that identity. I didn’t really settle into my skin until I was 30, so I’m also documenting the way that felt. It’s been so enlightening for me.
What do you hope DIVAs take away from the album and memoir?
I just really hope they enjoy them. I hope the album sparks nostalgia and reflection. I hope my memoir sparks hope and resilience.
Last year, you released a Christmas cover and fans know you love dressing up for Halloween. So important question, which of these holidays is your favourite?
Oh 100% halloween. I’ve never been much of an Xmas girl. All that hype for one day?! Halloween into Bonfire night, yes!
As we’re nearing the end of 2022, do you have any New Years resolutions?
I really don’t, you know. It sounds like hippy nonsense, but I spend as much time as I can making sure I do and say things and act with intent and I guess my only wish would be for that to carry on, not only into 2023, but all of the years I have left.
Before our time comes to an end, is there anything you’d like to address that hasn’t been touched on yet?
Thanks so much to DIVA for the support over the last 10+ years. In 2011, before X Factor, I was on your “one to watch” list. I’ll never forget your support.
I’ll be on tour in May across the UK. This one really will be one not to miss, so I hope to see the DIVAs there!
Find out more: lucyspraggan.com.
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