Avril Lavigne: ‘I thought I’d never work again’

SINGER Avril Lavigne opens up about her new single Head Above Water, her relationship with her ex-husband and what it’s like to live with Lyme disease.

Avril Lavigne: “Chad and I are really good friends. We have remained close and he supports me to this day.” (Pic: Ashley Osborn/BMG)

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SINGER Avril Lavigne opens up about her new single Head Above Water, her relationship with her ex-husband and what it’s like to live with Lyme disease.

You fell off the radar in the past few years — and recently revealed you were actually bedridden with Lyme disease. Do you know how you contracted it?

I was definitely doing a lot of four-wheeling and hiking. All that stuff in the woods.

What was it like being forced to slow down?

I noticed in a way that having a break was a good thing. I had never had one from when I started as a teenager [Lavigne is now 34], always going from studio to touring. And touring and touring.

Lavigne (L) and Kelly Osbourne arrive at the 2003 MTV Video Music Awards at Radio City Music Hall in New York City. (Pic: Evan Agostini/Getty Images)

Is your health something you now have to be vigilant about?

I will have to be. There was a time when my health was totally taken away from me, but now to be back — to make a whole entire record and shoot music videos and do photo shoots and start performing again — that makes me really happy.

I can’t believe how much I missed that. It’s who I am. When I went down, I thought, “Well, I guess I’m not going to work anymore, this is over.”

And when I was in bed recovering, without even thinking about making a record, I just started writing songs, naturally. That was cool for me to experience because it told me that no matter what, music is in me. It’s not forced, it’s just there and it’s a part of who I am.

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Your first single back, ‘Head Above Water’, is a ballad that requires a powerful voice. Were you surprised that yours wasn’t affected by being ill?

I was actually concerned that when I would get back up and start singing, I would have to strengthen and sing for a while to get my voice back to where it was. But I think this reset worked for me emotionally, physically and spiritually.

Going down so hard with something like that reset a lot. I feel very proud — victorious that I went through that, and now here I am. I’m really glad my first song back is about that experience. Because how could it not be?

With ex-husband Chad Kroeger. (Pic: Jag Gundu/Getty Images)

Was it hard to get through the recording session?

I remember there was a point where [ex-husband and Nickelback frontman] Chad [Kroeger] was recording my vocals and he had to pull me aside because I was going to cry. Whenever you cry in the studio, it is never a good thing for the vocal chords; they tighten up and it can completely change the tone.

He was like “No, no, no, don’t cry!” I stepped away from the mic, went to the bathroom, sat down on the floor and cleared my head. That might be why you can feel the emotion in the track.

Avril Lavigne features in this Sunday’s Stellar.

Was it important to have someone like a former husband, who knows you so well, in that room?

Chad and I are really good friends. We have remained close and he supports me to this day. So it was really special to have him there and helping me.

You’ll release a new album next year — will you also visit Australia?

I love Australia; you’ve always been super supportive. I remember surfing there at Manly beach [in 2011]. I can’t believe I did that. It reminds me of Canada [her homeland] as the people are so chilled and relaxed, and I’ve made friends there.

A few years out of the spotlight can be risky. Were you relieved your supporters were still there?

Yeah. I was just blown away by how strong my fan base has remained, even after a big break like that. They are very present, I can see them online. They have a voice and they make noise. It felt really good to reconnect with them.

Avril Lavigne’s new single ‘Head Above Water’ is out now.

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Originally published as Avril Lavigne: ‘I thought I’d never work again’