Cher Lloyd, 31, has shared a deeply personal chapter of her life, revealing the struggles she faced with postnatal depression after giving birth to her second daughter, Eliza, in 2023.
While motherhood is often depicted as joyful, Cher spoke candidly about her overwhelming feelings of fear and self-doubt, which transformed what should have been a happy time into one of the most challenging periods of her life.
Speaking on Paul Brunson’s We Need to Talk podcast, the singer opened up about her mental health struggles, describing how the experience “shook her to her core.”
The Darkness of Postnatal Depression
Cher explained how postnatal depression affected every aspect of her life.
“I had heard about postnatal depression before, but I never truly understood what it meant until I went through it myself,” she said.
She described feeling constant fear for her baby’s safety, plagued by intrusive thoughts and vivid visions of danger, such as cars driving into her baby while walking down the street.
The anxiety was crippling.
Cher couldn’t eat, couldn’t sleep, and felt like she had lost herself completely.
“It was supposed to be the happiest time of my life, but it turned into the hardest.
I honestly can’t believe I made it through.”
Seeking Help and Finding Strength
Cher admitted that it took a long time for her to reach out for help.
She eventually sought support from her GP and is now in a much better mental state.
Reflecting on her journey, she shared how she managed to protect her children despite her struggles.
“Even though my mental health took a massive hit, my children were always safe, and that’s what I’m most proud of,” she said.
She also criticized societal pressures on women to “bounce back” after pregnancy, calling it “ridiculous” and harmful.
“Women do not need to bounce back.
We need time to heal, and it’s okay to not feel okay after having a baby.”
Cher’s Journey to Fame and the Challenges Along the Way
In the same interview, Cher looked back on her rise to fame on The X Factor in 2010.
She reflected on her time on the show, describing how she was unfairly painted as “the villain” by producers and the media.
At just 16 years old, she faced immense scrutiny and was even prescribed antidepressants during the competition.
Her relationship with Simon Cowell, who signed her to his label Syco, eventually soured as they disagreed on her career path.
Cher left the label three years later, seeking more creative control.
Looking Ahead to New Music
Now, over a decade after releasing her last album, Cher is ready to return to the spotlight.
Earlier this month, she teased her fans with news of new music.
Sharing a selfie on Instagram, she wrote, “Happy new year! I think it’s time for some new music… this is not a drill!!”
Fans, thrilled by the announcement, flooded her comments with excitement, eagerly anticipating her next chapter.
Cher’s debut album Sticks and Stones brought hits like Swagger Jagger, and her follow-up album Sorry I’m Late in 2014 proved her staying power.
Moving Forward with Hope
Though her journey hasn’t been easy, Cher’s openness about her struggles serves as a reminder of the strength it takes to persevere through difficult times.
As she continues to focus on her family and music, she’s also inspiring others to seek help when they need it and to embrace the messiness of life’s challenges.
Cher’s story is a testament to resilience, and fans are eager to see what’s next for the singer, both personally and professionally.
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