THE X Factor’s Janet Devlin has bravely opened up about her eating disorder and alcohol battle – admitting she didn’t think she’d live past 20.
The singer first rose to fame on the ITV singing show in 2011, where she finished fifth behind the likes of Little Mix and Amelia Lily.
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Janet was only 16 at the time, but now 30, the singer is celebrating her new music and a new decade, one she admits she never thought she’d see.
She said: “I absolutely bawled my eyes out on my birthday because, you know, there was a period in my life where I couldn’t see [living] past 20.
“Luckily, I did – and turning 30 was just the best feeling in the world, because I believe it’s a blessing to grow older. Not everybody gets that privilege.”
Janet revealed how she had battled mental health issues, an eating disorder and alcohol problems before she even joined The X Factor.
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She told OK!: “I’d love to say the show heightened my issues; that would be an easier narrative!
“But I had a wealth of mental health issues before. I already had an eating disorder, self-harmed and had quite a bad relationship with alcohol because of the relationship I was in at the time.
“So, the show was what I needed; I needed something to get me out of bed and to work towards.”
Janet was also conscious of not being a negative role model for any younger viewers watching, so made it her mission not to lose any weight during the show, which helped her with her eating disorder.
However, she admits that time in her life was difficult for her parents, Aquinas and Pat.
She said: “My poor mother, for years, was just distraught with my behaviour and actions.
“It’s sad because that pushed a wedge between us. She was constantly trying to save me. But now, she’s one of my best friends.”
Indeed, Janet has come a long way since those darker days, and being diagnosed with Borderline Personality Disorder was a big step in helping her move forward.
She said: “Oh my gosh, the freedom I felt when I got that diagnosis.
“It was really helpful. I knew I was not a bad person. I have this condition that is notoriously hard to deal with, and I’m dealing with it the best way I can.
Help for mental health
If you, or anyone you know, needs help dealing with mental health problems, the following organisations provide support.
The following are free to contact and confidential:
Mind, www.mind.org, provide information about types of mental health problems and where to get help for them. Email info@mind.org.uk or call the infoline on 0300 123 3393 (UK landline calls are charged at local rates, and charges from mobile phones will vary).
YoungMinds run a free, confidential parents helpline on 0808 802 5544 for parents or carers worried about how a child or young person is feeling or behaving. The website has a chat option too.
Rethink Mental Illness, www.rethink.org, gives advice and information service offers practical advice on a wide range of topics such as The Mental Health Act, social care, welfare benefits, and carers rights. Use its website or call 0300 5000 927 (calls are charged at your local rate).
Heads Together, www.headstogether.org.uk, is the a mental health initiative spearheaded by The Royal Foundation of The Prince and Princess of Wales.
“Then I was able to go and get the help necessary because I’d been fishing in the dark before.”
Now on medication to manage the condition, Janet is able to focus on her music and new album, Emotional Rodeo.
It has allowed her to shake off the perception that she was “quite a serious person” as she added: “I was finally in a place to be emotionally free to write up-tempo, happy, jokey, fun songs.”
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