‘I couldn't get out of

X Factor winner Louisa Johnson on her mental health battle, life in the public eye and keeping in touch with Simon Cowell

- JULIE-ANN TRAINOR

When Essex girl Louisa Johnson won The X Factor in 2015 at the age of 17, she achieved her childhood dream of landing a record deal. She should have been on top of the world, but a darkness hung over her as she battled anxiety and depression while at the height of her fame.

When we speak to Louisa at the Hotels.com Dream Screen event, she tells us when she first showed signs she was struggling.

“It started at school and I never knew what it was,” she says. “I just knew I was always sad and tired.”

During our chat, the singer, now 22, reveals how she overcame her demons, crediting therapy and affirmations for pulling her out of her lowest moments.

Louisa, who scored Top 10 hits with Forever Young and Tears, also tells us she has new music coming out soon and it will be “worth the wait”. Ooh!

Here, she looks back at her depression, talks about dealing with public scrutiny and reflects on her X Factor experience…

Hi Louisa! What’s your greatest achievement to date?

Where I am now as a person. I’ve gone through a lot at a young age and I’m quite surprised I’ve come out the other side – it could have gone either way for me. I could have gone a bit crazy, but I’m proud of myself that I’m in the place I’m in now. I take each day as it comes and I’m happy and content. I’ve never felt that genuine happy feeling before, so I’m most proud of that achievement. It may only be a little one, but to me it’s everything.

It sounds like you’ve been through a lot…