Singer Elle King reveals the "high level of pain" she was enduring during her controversial performance at Dolly Parton's birthday celebration, sparking a healing process that led her to a different therapeutic program.
In a candid interview on the "Off the Vine with Kaitlyn Bristowe" podcast, Elle King delved into the emotional turmoil she faced prior to her widely criticized performance at Dolly Parton's 78th birthday celebration at the Grand Ole Opry. The "Ex's & Oh's" singer admitted that she was grappling with immense pain and struggled to maintain composure on stage.
"I was very sad, and nobody really knows what I was going through behind closed doors," King explained. "… I just took that as … if it wasn't this, it's going to be something else."
Elle King Opens Up About Healing Journey After Drunken Dolly Parton Tribute Performance
King's performance sparked backlash after she stumbled through lyrics, uttered profanities, and confessed to being "hammered." She now acknowledges that the incident was a manifestation of her underlying struggles.
"I've had to heal and deal … go through things," she added. "Ultimately, like, I couldn't go on living my life or even staying in the situation that I had been going through."
Elle King Opens Up About Healing Journey After Drunken Dolly Parton Tribute Performance
"I couldn't continue to be existing in that high level of pain that I was going through at the time."
King sought solace in a therapeutic program, which she credits with helping her address the underlying issues that contributed to her erratic behavior.
Elle King Opens Up About Healing Journey After Drunken Dolly Parton Tribute Performance
"After everything that happened in January, I went to a different type of therapeutic program," King explained.
She found a "silver lining" in the experience, emerging as a "different person" after the tumultuous incident.
Elle King Opens Up About Healing Journey After Drunken Dolly Parton Tribute Performance
"I waited to talk about everything until I had better footing," she shared.
In May, King spoke out for the first time about the drunken performance on the "Dear Chelsea" podcast.
Elle King Opens Up About Healing Journey After Drunken Dolly Parton Tribute Performance
"I had been going through something very heavy and traumatic in my life at the time," she confessed.
"And that day was a really big day dealing with what I was going through, and that I’m still going through, and I suffer from severe PTSD," King said.
Elle King Opens Up About Healing Journey After Drunken Dolly Parton Tribute Performance
"I hadn't eaten, I hadn't slept in days and I was really overwhelmed. I was like a shell of myself."
King, who has previously postponed concerts due to the incident, has since returned to the stage. Her candid revelation about her healing journey highlights the importance of seeking support when facing personal challenges.
