Elle King Reflects on Healing After Troubling Performance

Elle King has opened up about her healing journey following a challenging performance at Dolly Parton's 78th birthday celebration at Nashville's Grand Ole Opry. The singer, known for her hit "Ex’s & Oh’s," admitted to experiencing a "high level of pain" during the performance, which she described as overwhelming. King acknowledged that she could no longer continue living in such distress, stating, "I couldn't go on living my life or even staying in the situation that I had been going through." In a candid discussion on the "Dear Chelsea" podcast, King revealed that she was grappling with severe PTSD and had been dealing with significant personal trauma at the time of the performance. She shared that she had not eaten or slept for days, leading to a state of disassociation during her set. "I was really overwhelmed," she confessed, highlighting the emotional toll of her struggles. Despite the difficulties, King has found a "silver lining" in her experience, noting that she has emerged as a "different person" since the incident. She expressed gratitude for the support she has received, emphasizing the importance of addressing her mental health challenges. Following the performance, King postponed several shows but made her return to the stage at the Extra Innings Festival in Tempe, Arizona, in March, signaling her commitment to recovery and resilience.