Cara Delevingne says new music was inspired by getting sober

Cara Delevingne says new music was inspired – Cara Delevingne, the 33-year-old British model and actress, has revealed that her debut songs are shaped by her personal journey toward sobriety and the mental health struggles she has endured. Known globally for her striking visuals and roles in blockbuster films such as *Suicide Squad* and *Only Murders in the Building*, Delevingne is now expanding her creative horizons into music with the release of her first two tracks, *I Forgot* and *Out of My Head*. Both songs, which dropped last Friday, mark a bold step into a new artistic realm for the multi-talented star.

The London-born artist shared her inspiration during an interview with BBC Radio 1 presenter Jack Saunders on the *New Music Show*. She described *Out of My Head* as a reflection of the “internal conflict and disassociation” she faced during her first year of sobriety. “We changed the chorus to ‘out of my head’ because I think that’s something I have to do every day to get out of my overthinking,” she explained. The track, she said, captures the emotional complexity of navigating recovery, where the mind often battles with its own turbulence.

“I wanted to make a song that could touch on the landscape of what mental health is like sometimes and how hard it can be and how raw it can feel.” — Cara Delevingne

Delevingne’s *I Forgot* is another entry in this introspective collection, aiming to convey the raw, unpredictable nature of mental health. She described the song as a way to express the “flawed” and “human” aspects of her identity, which she felt were often overshadowed by public perception. “I think as an English person, I was never very good at dealing with anger, and so this is the healthiest way I’ve found to release all of that and to express those emotions,” she said. The track, she added, represents a desire to connect with listeners through vulnerability, a theme that resonates deeply with her current state of mind.

Delevingne has previously spoken about her battles with depression and addiction, emphasizing how she became “very good at disassociating from emotion completely” in the past. She has since found solace in the 12-step treatment program, which she credits with helping her reclaim her emotional well-being. “It’s been a transformative experience,” she noted, highlighting how sobriety has allowed her to channel her experiences into music with newfound clarity.

The music video for both tracks, directed by Jessica Lee Gagné, is a cinematic spectacle that mirrors the emotional depth of the songs. Gagné, who served as a lead cinematographer on the psychological thriller series *Severance*, initially hesitated to take on the project due to her busy schedule. However, after listening to the music, she felt a strong connection and agreed to collaborate. “She is undeniably a visionary in so many different ways,” Delevingne praised, noting how Gagné’s style complements the storytelling in her new work.

“A lot of the music I wanted to make, coming from doing movies, felt to me like it was very cinematic.” — Cara Delevingne

The video opens with Delevingne falling through the sky, a striking visual that immediately captures attention. As the scene unfolds, it becomes clear that the setting is a film set, complete with crew members and dancers. The second half of the video transitions to her wandering through a forest, only to reveal a stark office environment in the final moments. This surreal narrative, Delevingne explained, was designed to reflect the duality of her mental health journey—between moments of chaos and order, isolation and connection.

Speaking about the creative process, Delevingne mentioned the importance of authenticity in her music. “I wanted it to feel like me as a person was breaking through that,” she said, referring to the preconceived notions people might have about her. “I’m flawed, I’m human, and we all have pain and suffering.” She added that using humor and self-deprecation had been her go-to strategies in the past, but music required a more serious approach. “I had to learn to take myself more seriously,” she reflected, underscoring the challenge of translating personal experiences into art that resonates with others.

Delevingne’s transition into music has been marked by a balance between her previous roles and her new ambitions. While she has always been a figure of attention, she described how the music industry demands a different kind of honesty. “There’s a certain vulnerability required,” she said, “which I’ve had to embrace fully.” This shift has also allowed her to explore storytelling in a fresh way, blending her visual flair with the emotional weight of her lyrics.

The collaboration with Gagné has been pivotal in bringing her vision to life. The director’s ability to translate abstract emotions into visual metaphors has helped shape the video’s narrative, which Delevingne described as “a dream come true.” She highlighted how the cinematic quality of the music aligns with Gagné’s expertise, creating a seamless fusion of sound and image that enhances the overall experience.

As Delevingne continues to navigate her artistic evolution, she remains committed to using her platform to address mental health and sobriety. “Music can be the one connector of that,” she said, referring to the shared struggles of her audience. Her debut songs, she believes, are not just a reflection of her personal growth but also an invitation for others to find solace in their own journeys. With her unique blend of talent and insight, Delevingne is proving that her creative expression knows no bounds.

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