Finding Light in Darkness: Taylor Momsen's Journey Through Grief and Recovery
Taylor Momsen went through a challenging period in her life after losing two close friends. She struggled with substance abuse and depression, feeling like she had given up on life. The death of Soundgarden lead singer Chris Cornell in 2017 hit her hard, as they were touring together at the time. Momsen was devastated and fell apart, leading to a downward spiral.
Following Cornell's death, Momsen realized she needed time to grieve and process her emotions. However, things took a turn for the worse when her best friend, Kato Khandwala, passed away in a motorcycle accident in 2018. This double loss sent her off the rails, causing her to isolate herself from her bandmates and shut off from the world.
Momsen admitted to feeling unreachable and shutting herself off from her band members, feeling shame and not wanting to be seen in her vulnerable state. She reached a point where she had to make a conscious decision to either continue down a destructive path or choose to live and get her life back on track. She described feeling trapped in darkness and contemplating fading away.
Despite the challenges, Momsen found solace in music and the process of writing The Pretty Reckless' album "Death by Rock and Roll." This creative outlet became a turning point for her, allowing her to start healing and moving forward. It took her a long time to recover, but she credits music for helping her through the darkest times.
If you or someone you know is struggling, help is available. You can call or text 988 or chat at 988lifeline.org for support.