Singer Sia Talks 3-Year Depression Spell Following Divorce From Erik Anders Lang

Sia is peeling back the layers on a journey through her brave battle and road to recovery post-divorce. With honesty, the iconic singer reveals her struggle with a three-year bout of severe depression following her split from filmmaker Erik Anders Lang in 2016.   

Recently, the 47-year-old singer had a conversation with Zane Lowe on Apple Music 1, where she opened up about how this "dark time" served as a wellspring of inspiration for her upcoming album, "Reasonable Woman."

After the host asked Sia about her creative process for the new project, the "We Are Born" artist revealed that she had been sporadically writing "a song here or there for the last six, seven years." The mother-of-two explained further:

"I got divorced, and that really threw me for a loop. That was such a dark time that I was like in bed for three years, uh really, really severely depressed. And so I couldn't really do anything for that period of time." 

Sia described how she got back into making music, saying, "And then I started again, just little bits and pieces here and there, but it was really hard to get me out of bed." She continued, explaining how the songwriting gradually gained momentum, resulting in a collection of songs suitable for an album.

The "Chandelier" singer admitted, "I just rely on my management to tell me when we've got enough good ones. I don't really. I can tell when I think one is particularly good. I think I can tell, but they tell me when we've got, you know, 11 or 12 or 13 enough good ones. Real good ones." 

In case you missed it, the former couple were in a relationship when the "Breathe Me" singer gained fame in the early 2010s. They married in a private ceremony at her home in Palm Springs, California, in August 2014.

Two years after their wedding, the Australian native filed for divorce from the documentary filmmaker. She cited "irreconcilable differences" in the divorce filings for their split.

In May, The Blast detailed how Sia opened up about her late diagnosis of autism, a disclosure that not only stunned her but also her close circle. This newfound understanding provided her with a tangible explanation for why she has always felt a touch distinct.

Speaking on the "Rob Has A Podcast" alongside "Survivor" Season 44 finalist Carolyn Wiger, the "This Is Acting" singer candidly shared, "For 45 years, I was like … 'I've got to go put my human suit on.'"

Sia further noted, "And only in the last two years have I become fully myself," emphasizing that she has also embraced sobriety. The songwriter expressed her joy in discussing this personal journey with Wiger, as she found a connection with the Survivor contestant, appreciating the distinctive traits that set them apart on the reality show.

After labeling what she once thought was a peculiar aspect of herself, the award-winning star took the time to embrace her true identity. She emphasized the importance of shedding secrets and shame, noting that true love and understanding can only flourish when open and authentic.

For the first time, Sia experienced a sense of being truly seen and, crucially, comprehended. In her words, "When we finally sit in a room full of strangers and tell them our deepest, darkest, most shameful secrets, and everybody laughs along with us, and we don't feel like pieces of trash for the first time in our lives."

The "Racing Extinction" actress mentioned discovering her sanctuary of contentment. She expressed, "We feel seen for the first time in our lives for who we are, and then we can start going out into the world and just operating as humans and human beings with hearts and not pretending to be anything."

Some fans were curious about when Sia learned about her diagnosis and why she did not elaborate. However, it is worth noting that the "Beat Bugs" star previously created a film centered around an autistic child titled "Music."

This project faced criticism for not casting an actor on the spectrum, which some saw as a missed opportunity to represent authentically. Sia responded to the backlash, defending her intentions by stating her "heart has always been in the right place." She urged critics to "watch my film before you judge it."