MGK Opens Up About Feeling "Broken" and How It Fuels His Music

In a recent conversation at the Grammy Museum, musician MGK (formerly known as Machine Gun Kelly) has opened up about feeling "broken" and how it has shaped his connection with fans and his songwriting process. The 35-year-old singer, who has been vocal about his mental health challenges and suicidal ideation, considers himself "a beacon or a representative of the broken."

MGK explained that he finds his fan base relates more to the "realness" and "vulnerability" of someone who has risen from the ashes like a phoenix. However, as he has been doing the work to put the pieces back together, he has become fearful of losing his creative edge. "Sometimes I get a little too scared when the pieces come back together -- like, 'Oh, but how can I ever write about being broken if I'm always fixed?'" he said.