For more than six decades, Lulu has been a staple of the British and international music scene, her unmistakable voice and energetic stage presence making her a beloved icon. Best known for her 1964 hit "Shout" and her powerful rendition of "To Sir With Love," the Scottish singer-songwriter has entertained generations, from her early days as a teenage sensation to her recent surprise appearance alongside Sir Rod Stewart at Glastonbury Festival 2025. Yet, behind the dazzling spotlights and chart-topping singles, Lulu has quietly wrestled with a private struggle—one she has only now chosen to share with the world.
In a candid interview published in early September 2025, Lulu, now 76, revealed for the first time her long battle with alcohol addiction. According to reporting by The Times and Australian Associated Press, Lulu described herself as a "secret drinker," someone who worked tirelessly to maintain a "squeaky clean" public image and live up to the standard of "Miss Perfect." The fear of being compared to her father, himself an alcoholic, haunted her. "I think I always wanted to be Miss Perfect, the 'best Lulu', and I was terrified of being like my father," she admitted to The Times.
Lulu's decision to finally open up was not made lightly. For years, she avoided discussing her addiction publicly, choosing instead to wait until she had the understanding and language to articulate her experience. "For years, I made a choice not to talk about [my alcoholism] publicly. I chose to wait until I had the language to understand it before I could start spouting off," she explained. The turning point, she says, was a combination of personal growth and learning from others. "I've learnt a lot from other people, their memoirs, and self-help books too, so maybe I can be of some help now."
Her new memoir, If Only You Knew, set for release on September 25, 2025, promises to delve deeper into her journey, chronicling not only her rise to fame but also the shadows that accompanied it. Lulu’s story, as detailed in both Metro and Australian Associated Press, is one of resilience in the face of trauma, shame, and self-doubt.
The roots of her addiction, Lulu believes, trace back to her childhood in Glasgow. She recounted witnessing violent domestic abuse between her parents, including moments when her father was "dragged away" by police. Despite her fear that others would see her parents as "bad people," Lulu now describes them as "damaged," acknowledging the pain and shame she carried for years. "It's a family illness. The gene is there," she said, referring to alcoholism as an inherited disease.
For much of her adult life, Lulu worked hard to suppress her feelings, supporting her family and maintaining her professional image. "My alcoholism was the culmination of a life spent trying to suppress feelings," she reflected. The pressure to be perfect and the scrutiny of the spotlight took their toll, but it was after her son, Jordan Frieda, now 48, left home and her parents had passed away—her mother in 1996 and her father in 1998—that her drinking worsened. "For me, it had been controllable until I got into my 60s. After I became menopausal, with both my parents gone, the empty nest, looking around and seeing all the young kids in the music industry, I became more and more reliant on it and so it just got worse," Lulu told The Times.
Despite the mounting internal struggle, Lulu hesitated to seek help. "For many years, and I can't say how many, I had not been happy with the way I felt, not at all happy and (yet) unable to ask for help," she admitted. Eventually, the questions became impossible to ignore. She found herself constantly asking why she was drinking and why things weren't "getting better," realizing she "wasn't happy." It was then that she made the difficult decision to seek professional help, entering rehab after calling her son to share the news.
Lulu's journey through addiction and into recovery has been marked by moments of profound self-discovery and forgiveness. She credits her recovery with helping her reconnect with her emotions and, ultimately, forgive her parents for the violence she witnessed as a child. "And at the same time, [I have] never been more in touch with my feelings," she said, adding that this newfound emotional clarity enabled her to "forgive" her parents and move forward.
Her reflections on addiction are unflinching. "The thing about drink is that you become the worst part of who you really are. You can be happy and singing and having fun, but that doesn't last. If you keep drinking, you can become morose. We can become angry. I worked so hard to understand this. I finally understood it's an illness that messes with everything," Lulu explained. In a statement that may surprise some, she added, "So I know it sounds perverse, but I'm glad I'm an alcoholic and that I'm in recovery." She elaborated, "I've had a lot of tough moments. And alcohol came up and bit me on the nose. But if there is one characteristic I now realise I have, it is resilience. I thank God for that every day."
Since bravely sharing her story, Lulu has received an outpouring of support from fans online, many praising her for "helping so many people" by speaking out. Her openness has resonated with those who have faced similar struggles, offering a message of hope and solidarity.
Despite announcing her formal retirement from touring in 2024, a decision influenced in part by "moderate hearing loss," Lulu remains active in the music world. She continues to sing and perform, and in June 2025, she delighted festival-goers by joining Sir Rod Stewart as a surprise guest on the Pyramid Stage at Glastonbury Festival. Her determination to persist with her career "until [she] drops" is as strong as ever, and she now enjoys a "brighter" life in central London, sharing her home with her beloved cockapoo.
Lulu's story is a powerful reminder that even those who seem to have it all can face deep personal battles. Her willingness to confront her past and speak openly about addiction challenges the stigma that so often surrounds the issue, particularly for public figures. As she prepares to release her memoir, she hopes her experiences will help others find the courage to seek help and embrace recovery.
For those struggling with alcohol addiction, support is available. In the UK, the NHS recommends Drinkline, a free and confidential helpline, as well as Alcoholics Anonymous, which offers a 12-step programme. In Australia, resources like Lifeline and beyondblue provide assistance to those in need.
Through honesty and resilience, Lulu has transformed her personal pain into a message of hope, proving that it’s never too late to seek help, heal, and find happiness on your own terms.
