Robbie Williams believes ‘being in a boy band causes mental illness’

According to Robbie Williams, simply being part of a girl or boy group over a long period of time leads to mental health problems among the members.

The former member of British hitmakers Take That turned solo superstar will release his four-part documentary series on Netflix in two weeks, highlighting his roller-coaster ride of fame and remarkable commercial success, punctuated by bouts of depression and other illnesses.

He said The times He believes Take That, Britain’s biggest group, from which Williams dramatically resigned in 1995 and now performs as a trio with three of the original members, serves as a case study in what happens when people at a young age join a join group and become more. successful, than they ever expected.

He said: “If you just take Take That as a case study – and all the boys have mentioned it publicly so I’m not invading anyone’s privacy – then you’ve got Gaz.” [Gary Barlow] who suffered from bulimia and agoraphobia and wouldn’t leave his house, who forgot to write songs and slept under his piano. You have Howard [Donald], who considered suicide. You have Mark [Owen], who ended up in rehab. You have Jason [Orange]Who can’t hack it and just like that disappear. And then you have me. So this is your case study: Something solidifies and calcifies in those five years – the traditional lifespan of a boy band – and causes mental illness. It’s five out of five.”

Williams has been open about his mental health issues for years and now says he has been fully diagnosed:

“Dyspraxia, dyslexia, ADHD, neurodiversity, body dysmorphia, hypervigilance… There’s a new one I recently acquired: HSP. Highly sensitive person. Post-traumatic stress disorder [PTSD]. And, apparently I have an addictive personality…I collect them everyonelike Boy Scout badges.”

The documentary series features footage from the 1990s, when Williams first found fame with “Take That,” and continued his solo career while enjoying worldwide success but also suffering from panic attacks, including one caught on camera on the stage is trapped. He told the Times that he thinks mental health issues are a prerequisite for creativity. He said:

“And if they don’t have it at the beginning, they will have it at the end. No one gets a free pass to the game of extreme celebrity. On the other hand, no one comes out balanced, happy and mentally healthy. Name me one.”

Robbie Williams Available on Netflix from November 8.