Chesney Hawkes opens up about struggles with fame and substance abuse

Early fame and struggles

CHESNEY Hawkes, the former pop sensation, has revealed his battles with drugs and alcohol following the fallout of his music career. Rising to fame at just 19 with his hit song, The One and Only, Hawkes found it challenging to replicate that success and faced the fear of being a one-hit wonder.

Dealing with rejection

After the frenzy of his hit single, Hawkes was dropped by his record label, leaving him feeling abandoned and lost. He admitted to using substances as a coping mechanism to avoid the trauma of his experience and the pressure to live up to his early success.

Acceptance and new perspective

As he has aged, Hawkes found solace in accepting his past and recognizing the impact of The One and Only on his fans. Despite initially shunning the song, he now embraces it as a significant part of his musical journey, acknowledging its influence on others and its ability to elevate the energy at his live performances.

Embracing new opportunities

Before entering the Celebrity Big Brother house, Hawkes released a new album but had to postpone tour dates. He shared that the recent death of a close friend inspired him to seize every opportunity that comes his way, leading him to participate in the reality show.