Lindsay Ell Reveals Eating Disorder Diagnosis: “It Was Taking Over My Life”

“I got really good at pretending that everything was ok out in public, but at home I was shriveling up,” Ell shared.

By

Arielle Markowicz

Arielle Markowicz is a freelance writer with a bachelor’s degree in Music Business from Belmont University. Throughout her schooling career, she interned for Essential Broadcast Media and several other public relations and marketing firms in the music industry. In her free time, Markowicz enjoys traveling, attending country music concerts, reading and spending time with friends.

Editorial Policy

|

Posted on February 15, 2023

Share on:

Lindsay Ell; Photo Courtesy of JAMIE SCHRAMM/CMA

Lindsay Ell revealed that she was recently been diagnosed with an eating disorder, but hopes to turn that dark discovery into a light to guide the way for others. 

The 33-year-old country singer opened up on social media after her recent appearance on the Off the Vine with Kaitlyn Bristowe podcast.

“I was on a podcast last week, and I shared something that I felt like I should share with all of you, because that’s what we do here. I got diagnosed with an eating disorder a few weeks ago, and have come to terms that it’s something I have been living in denial of for the better part of 20 years,” she began.

She Revealed Her Eating Disorder Was “Taking Over My Life”

Ell acknowledged that she felt misled on what the signs of an eating disorder actually entailed. 

“I always told myself that an eating disorder would look like ‘that kind of body’ and that there’s no way I could have one because I didn’t look like that,” she wrote. “I told myself that the way I was living was fine, because it was just part of my career.”

She continued, “It got to the point where it felt like it was taking over my life, and I no longer had control over what I ate or didn’t eat in the shadows. I got really good at pretending that everything was OK out in public, but at home I was shriveling up.”

Ell Hopes Her Story Inspires Others To Be True To Themselves

The singer also expressed her wish to share her recovery journey with her fans as she figures it out day-by-day, and that she hopes to inspire others to be true to themselves. 

“I’m telling you all this because I know that it is the stories I hear that inspire me to be a better person. I hope in sharing this and my journey as I go along it, will inspire you to be honest with yourself – with what you’re feeling and what you’re going through,” she concluded. 

Many of Ell’s followers thanked her for the transparency and honesty she showed during such a scary and difficult stage of her life.

“Sharing your heart and vulnerability is an incredible gift to the world… thank you for being so courageous and for taking care of you,” one follower wrote.

Lindsay Ell; Photo Courtesy of Getty Images for CMT
Lindsay Ell; Photo Courtesy of Getty Images for CMT

Her fellow country music stars also expressed their love and support. 

Maren Morris commented, “Can’t imagine how difficult this was to share with the world but you are helping people by doing so. So proud of your journey!”

Lauren Alaina wrote, “I love you,” and Little Big Town followed with, “Proud of You.” 

During the podcast, Ell and Bristowe were discussing life, and the uncertainties and fluctuations that come along with it, when she disclosed, “I had a whole new kind of rock bottom last week that I didn’t even see coming. I basically discovered that I have an eating disorder,” she said. “Food became this thing that was like a drug, how I was abusing it. It was just this relationship that was no longer a healthy thing.” she told Bristowe. 

Lindsay Ell; Photo By Robby Klein
Lindsay Ell; Photo By Robby Klein

She added that she was “admitting” to herself that she had a problem, and that she’s been “letting this thing have so much power and so much energy” from her life. 

Ell shared that she is now “showing myself grace and trying to love myself through it.”

Lindsay Ell Will Soon Hit The Road With Shania Twain

Lindsay Ell is getting ready to embark on Shania Twain’s The Queen of Me Tour, kicking off on April 28 and running through November 14. Other special guests include Kelsea Ballerini, Hailey Whitters, Breland, Robyn Ottolini, Priscilla Block and Mickey Guyton.

“Is this the real life?! I am still shook… getting to open for your hero is one thing, but getting to go on tour with her is a whole other level!!” Ell shared. “I am honored and truly SO excited to tour with you, @shaniatwain. Thank you for believing in me, thank you for taking a stand for everything you do and thank you for being the queen that so many women look up to in this world. Bring it on #QueenOfMeTour! Tickets go on sale Nov 4th at 10am local time. ❤️ LETS GO GIRLS.”

She also plans to return as host of Canada’s Got Talent, with a new season beginning in March. 

Share on:

Tagged with:

Written by

Arielle Markowicz is a freelance writer with a bachelor’s degree in Music Business from Belmont University. Throughout her schooling career, she interned for Essential Broadcast Media and several other public relations and marketing firms in the music industry. In her free time, Markowicz enjoys traveling, attending country music concerts, reading and spending time with friends.

See more posts from Arielle Markowicz

You may also like