James Arthur has been hitting the headlines in recent weeks, and unlike this time last year, it is unfortunately for all the wrong reasons. The reigning champion of The X Factor has admitted that fame has “mentally broken” him.
The 25-year-old singer got involved in a war of words with legendary comedian, Frankie Boyle, and former X Factor contestant, Lucy Spraggan, last month.
Both incidents began after Arthur engaged in a rap battle with unknown artist, Micky Worthless, whom he labeled a “queer.”
Although he apologised for his actions and deleted the track online, he has ended up in hot water, which has resulted in him giving up using social media giant, Twitter, for good.
The singer has been diagnosed with anxiety and depression.
In an interview with The Mirror James’ sister, Sian, expressed her worry for her brother and his mental health.
“Sometimes I wish he’d never won X Factor. despite having what he’s always wanted he says he feels like a caged animal surrounded by yes-men and is really lonely.”
“We’ve been so worried about him this week – he’s been diagnosed with anxiety and depression,” Sian added.
“He put it really simply to me, he said: ‘Fame has mentally broken me.”
James will perform a single from his new album on tonight’s X Factor results show.
Leona Lewis who took the X Factor crown seven years ago admits that she escapes to a ”Mystical Unicorn Land” in order to cope with stress and pressure of the music industry.
The singer told the Daily Star newspaper she uses meditation to relax, often drifting off to her own world.
”Mystical Unicorn Land is where I live. How do you not know that? Friends say I’m always in Unicorn Land where everything is funny and sweet,” she said.
”This lifestyle is amazing but you also come across sharks and horrible people so I try and surround myself with Mystical Unicorn people like myself.
”It’s a kind of meditating which I find therapeutic. If I’m about to get road rage or cry I go into Mystical Unicorn Land.”
Leona continued to reveal that she has an alter-ego nicknamed Roxy who appears at parties.
”I also have an alter ego called Roxy who is a bit mental. It’s not a stage one like Beyonce’s Sasha Fierce.
”She only comes out when partying. She’s wild and has backcombed hair and lots of hairspray. My friends know who she is.”
Leona will return once more to the X Factor stage next week to perform her new Christmas single, ‘One More Sleep’.
