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Singer RAYE Reveals Past Substance Abuse, Finds Peace
9 Oct
Summary
- Singer RAYE experienced a very dark year in 2019 due to trauma and substance misuse.
- Her sister Amma described the period as traumatic, fearing for RAYE's life.
- A Bible verse from her grandmother helped RAYE turn her life around.
Raye, the acclaimed R&B singer, has shared details about a deeply challenging period in her past. The artist, whose real name is Rachel Keen, described 2019 as a "pretty dark year," attributing it to a "large collection of traumas and frustrations, and you know, substance abuse, misuse or whatever." During this time, she felt distant from her family, who are now her anchor.
Her sister, Amma, provided a sobering account of living with RAYE during that period. Amma recounted the situation as "pretty traumatic," revealing she had to check if RAYE was okay, even fearing for her life. At just 18 years old, Amma shouldered significant worry for her sister's well-being.
RAYE herself admitted to being "not sober at all" during this time, feeling "in the deep end." A turning point arrived unexpectedly when her grandmother sent her a Bible verse. Unaware of the extent of RAYE's struggles, the verse had a profound impact, helping her to confront her situation and begin her journey toward recovery and discipline.
This period followed RAYE's lengthy fight for her debut album's release under Polydor Records. After publicly advocating for her music in June 2021, she eventually parted ways with the label. Now, as a four-time Grammy nominee, RAYE is no longer drinking to cope, finding discipline and abstinence to be "a beautiful thing," though she still enjoys an occasional glass of wine.
