Lulu Says Speaking Publicly About Her Alcoholism Has Been Liberating
Written by WorldOneFm on September 23, 2026
Singer Lulu, 77, says opening up about her struggles with alcoholism has helped her move past years of secrecy and shame.
The Scottish singer, known for “To Sir with Love,” discussed her experience in a recent interview with The i Paper. She revealed that although she is “not proud” of her past struggles, she is no longer ashamed of them.
Lulu first publicly addressed her alcoholism in her 2025 memoir, If Only You Knew. She revealed that she sought treatment at a rehab center in Arizona in 2013 and later spent years attending Alcoholics Anonymous meetings.
The singer said becoming famous at just 15 and feeling pressure to maintain a perfect image contributed to her struggles. She also connected her addiction to growing up in a dysfunctional family and dealing with deep insecurities.
“I was trying to find out who I was,” Lulu said, explaining that confronting painful experiences eventually led her to rely more heavily on alcohol.
She first told her family about her addiction during her 65th birthday, after her niece mentioned someone dealing with similar problems. Lulu said the room went silent when she admitted that she was struggling too.
She traveled to the U.S. less than a day later and spent six weeks in rehabilitation, followed by five years of daily AA meetings.
Lulu said she had kept her alcoholism private for years because she feared damaging her “squeaky clean” public image. Now, however, she believes sharing her story can help others facing similar challenges.
Lulu – To Sir With Love
