Lola Young Shares Lily Allen's Advice That Left Her Speechless
British singer Lola Young has candidly discussed the challenging start to her public career, revealing surprising advice she received from fellow artist Lily Allen during a difficult period. The 25-year-old musician, known for hits like "Messy," faced significant health issues that forced her to cancel her entire tour, sparking widespread concern among fans and fellow stars.
A Rocky Debut and Health Struggles
Lola Young's introduction to the global spotlight was marked by turbulence, particularly when her health became a major concern. The situation escalated dramatically when she collapsed on stage and publicly disclosed her struggles with drug addiction. This revelation prompted an outpouring of support from both celebrities and fans, rallying around the young artist during her time of need.
Following this incident, Young took a necessary break from the music industry to focus on her wellbeing. It was during this hiatus that she received unexpected guidance from singer Lily Allen, who offered a piece of advice that left Young completely taken aback.
Lily Allen's Controversial Suggestion
In a recent interview with The Times, Lola Young revealed that 40-year-old Lily Allen advised her: "If anyone comes up to you wanting a photo, ask them what three songs they know of yours." Young's immediate response was one of disbelief, telling the publication: "I can't do that, Lily!"
While the "Spiders" singer chose not to elaborate extensively on her addiction struggles, she did confirm that she's currently in a much better place. This improvement comes after a particularly difficult moment at Coachella in April 2025, where she was forced to leave the stage mid-performance due to nausea.
The Road to Recovery and Personal Growth
Young has been transparent about her ongoing recovery process, stating: "What I would say is that recovery is an ongoing process. I'm not the finished article, but I'm doing a hell of a lot better." Her commitment to healing has included two stays in rehabilitation facilities, and she's now reportedly living in a holistic treatment center while regularly attending Alcoholics Anonymous meetings.
The singer has adopted new strategies for protecting her mental health, including taking a significant break from the industry and consciously avoiding reading social media comments. She explained this approach as essential for maintaining her peace and wellbeing during this transformative period.
An Unplanned but Perfect Comeback
Lola Young's return to the spotlight came unexpectedly at the Grammy Awards, which she described as unplanned but ultimately "worked out perfectly." Reflecting on her decision to step back, she shared: "You never know when the right time is, as an artist, when you've taken a break. It was a hard decision to make — I cancelled a whole tour that I was really excited to do."
In another interview with Rolling Stone, Young expressed gratitude for having reached what she called "a breaking point," noting that it "allowed me to be better for my fans, better for the future, and better for myself."
Memorable Performance Moments and Moving Forward
The Coachella incident in April 2025 proved particularly memorable for both Young and her fans. She documented the experience on TikTok, writing: "Not me doing my first Coachella & gagging & throwing up all the way through the set. It was getting real bad here guys." Months later, her on-stage collapse led to a formal statement where she announced: "I'm going away for a while. It pains me to say I have to cancel everything for the foreseeable future."
Since that difficult period, Lola Young has gradually returned to performing, appearing at select events and preparing for Radio 1's Biggest Weekend in Sunderland this summer. Her journey continues to inspire conversations about mental health, addiction recovery, and the pressures facing young artists in today's music industry.
