Photo Credit: Harald Krichel / CC by 3.0
Lewis Capaldi says that “it’s a very real possibility” he will have to quit the music industry if his Tourette’s tics worsen: “I hate hyperbole, but it is a very real possibility that I will have to pack music in.”
While promoting his new Netflix documentary, Lewis Capaldi: How I’m Feeling Now, the singer-songwriter said in an interview that he is uncertain as to the future of his music career. The 26-year-old has sold millions of records and won multiple awards, but despite his fame, he has been candid about his battles with his mental health.
Capaldi revealed he was diagnosed with Tourette’s syndrome in September, which causes him to make involuntary sounds and movements, known as tics. He opens up about his symptoms in his new Netflix documentary, revealing he experienced shoulder twitches that got “out of control” before his diagnosis.
“It’s only making music that does this to me,” he admitted. “Otherwise, I can be fine for months at a time. So it’s a weird situation. Right now, the trade-off is worth it, but if it gets to a point where I’m doing irreparable damage to myself, I’ll quit.”
“I’m trying to get on top of that,” he continued. “It’s easier when I play guitar, but I hate playing guitar. I know, I’m a walking contradiction.”
Capaldi says that now that he’s received his diagnosis, it “makes complete sense now when I look back.”
“This twitch became out of control, and it was awful. It was absolutely horrific,” Capaldi says. “I started to get in my head about these pressures. ‘F***, there’s skin in the game now,’ rather than me just singing my silly little songs. Other people are depending on me.”
Last month, during a performance of his song “Someone You Loved” in Germany, the singer appeared to struggle with his tic, but his fans stepped in to help out by continuing to sing the song. In a video captured by an audience member, Capaldi steps back from the microphone when his tic begins to cause him distress while fans continue to sing the song without missing a beat.
Lewis Capaldi: How I’m Feeling Now is available to stream on Netflix, while his new album, Broken By Desire to Be Heavenly Sent, will be released on May 19.