A Burden of Fame

Fifteen years after the tragic passing of music icon Amy Winehouse, her mother, Janis Winehouse, has opened up about the complexities of her daughter's life. In a candid interview with The i Paper, the 72-year-old reflected on how Amy navigated the immense pressures of global stardom.

«She was a victim of her own success,» Janis noted. «She didn’t want it, but it just followed her. And she’d be like, ‘Who, me?’»


The Struggle with Addiction

Amy Winehouse, who passed away in July 2011 at the age of 27, suffered from accidental alcohol poisoning. Janis believes that the singer’s battle with substance abuse was deeply rooted in a lack of self-confidence and an underlying sense of anxiety.

Reflecting on the nature of dependency, Janis explained: «She was actually nervous. She didn’t have confidence. Hence the alcohol. I think it’s the same with many, many addicts with alcohol. The alcohol takes away the pain. And that is a horrible thing with addiction.»

She further emphasized the relentless cycle of dependency, stating: «Once you’re addicted, you’re addicted. The only boss is the addiction. People say, ‘Oh, no, you just stop doing such and such.’ They don’t get it. You can’t stop because your body is saying I need it.»


Honoring a Legacy Through Service

Despite the profound grief of losing her daughter, Janis continues to move forward, inspired by Amy’s own resilient nature. A significant portion of her healing process has involved the Amy Winehouse Foundation, established by the family to support young people struggling with similar issues.

The foundation’s initiatives include:

  • Programs designed to foster self-esteem among children and young adults.
  • The operation of Amy’s Place, a dedicated recovery house for women in London.

Amy’s stepmother, Jane Winehouse, echoed these sentiments, noting that the foundation aims to bring light to others during difficult times. She believes Amy would take great pride in the organization’s work, concluding: «It’s very true to her. Everyone here is so real. To be here, to engage properly in recovery, you have to get real.»