News | Entertainment
15 Jul 2025 8:20
NZCity News
NZCity CalculatorReturn to NZCity

  • Start Page
  • Personalise
  • Sport
  • Weather
  • Finance
  • Shopping
  • Jobs
  • Horoscopes
  • Lotto Results
  • Photo Gallery
  • Site Gallery
  • TVNow
  • Dating
  • SearchNZ
  • NZSearch
  • Crime.co.nz
  • RugbyLeague
  • Make Home
  • About NZCity
  • Contact NZCity
  • Your Privacy
  • Advertising
  • Login
  • Join for Free

  •   Home > News > Entertainment

    James Arthur didn't "like himself at all" when he "ran away" from fame

    The 'Say You Won't Let Go' hitmaker experienced a huge fall from grace a few years ago and he was dropped from his record label, only to pick himself back up and return to the spotlight


    However, looking back on that time now, James admits it was "quite scary".

    Speaking on ITV's Loose Women on Thursday (08.11.18), he said: "It was [difficult to cope with] because although I had a dream to be a successful musician or an artist, nothing could really prepare you for the level of scrutiny. People judge you on your character and the way you look. You can't go to the corner shop without people tapping you on the shoulder and things like that. I wasn't prepared for that. It was a weird thing for me. I struggled and I think I did everything I could to get rid of it. And then when it was gone, it was like 'Oh my gosh this is gone now.' That was quite scary. I was self-medicating. I was running away from it. I didn't like myself at all at that point."

    James previously described himself as a "tortured soul".

    He confessed: "I've been a tortured soul. I've been through a lot of heartache so I definitely put that in my music. It's where I express it the best. That's the thing I rely on the most."

    Talking about growing up in foster care, he added: "It was a bit scary. I lived with a lady who'd taken up fostering children and they were always fairly troubled kids. There was a lot of tension because you'd be fighting a lot and looking over your shoulder. And I just wanted to be back with my sisters and my family. But it probably toughened me up in a good way. I learnt the value of family through that."

    © 2025 Bang Showbiz, NZCity

     Other Entertainment News
     15 Jul: Kelly Osbourne has insisted Ozzy Osbourne is "not dying"
     15 Jul: Bella Thorne claims Charlie Puth "lied to the entire world" about her after she refused to sleep with him
     15 Jul: Coco Jones and Donovan Mitchell are engaged!
     15 Jul: Kid Cudi and Lola Abecassis Sartore have tied the knot
     15 Jul: John Goodman hasn't spoken to Roseanne Barr in "seven or eight years"
     14 Jul: Becca Tilley was shocked by Hayley Kiyoko's proposal at a nudist beach
     14 Jul: Sami Sheen is having second thoughts about getting her breast implants removed
     Top Stories

    RUGBY RUGBY
    Coach Scott Robertson's laying down a challenge to the All Blacks squad with their series against France already in the bag ahead of the third and final test More...


    BUSINESS BUSINESS
    The Commerce Commission is taking legal action against Foodstuffs North Island and Gilmours Wholesale, over alleged cartel behaviour More...



     Today's News

    Cricket:
    A case of Calypso collapse-oh at Sabina Park in Jamaica on the third day of the third pink-ball test between Australia and the West Indies 8:17

    Law and Order:
    Why Trump is sending more Patriot missiles to Ukraine and how they help Kyiv's war effort 8:17

    Law and Order:
    A 22-year-old man is due in North Shore District Court today on charges involving a stash of ammunition, drugs and a gun 8:17

    Soccer:
    The Wellington Phoenix men have made their first off-season A-League signing 8:17

    Entertainment:
    Kelly Osbourne has insisted Ozzy Osbourne is "not dying" 8:10

    Rugby League:
    The waffle has continued between Paul Gallen and Sonny Bill Williams ahead of their boxing bout in Sydney tomorrow night 7:57

    Accident and Emergency:
    One person has died in a crash south of Palmerston North 7:47

    Entertainment:
    Bella Thorne claims Charlie Puth "lied to the entire world" about her after she refused to sleep with him 7:40

    Politics:
    Anthony Albanese to meet China's President Xi Jinping and Premier Li Qiang in Beijing 7:27

    Health & Safety:
    Plans are progressing for a new hospital in Otago Central Lakes 7:27


     News Search






    Power Search


    © 2025 New Zealand City Ltd