This July marks the 15th anniversary of the death of one of Britain and Hollywood’s most authentic, irreplaceable, truly talented stars. Amy Winehouse’s death sent shock waves around the world, serving as a stark reminder that battles with addiction can, and often are, lost. This anniversary comes a few months after the release of an interview with Winehouse’s ex-husband, Blake Fielder-Civil, on the We Need To Talk podcast hosted by Paul C. Brunson.

The interview gives Fielder-Civil an opportunity to share his perspective on his relationship with Amy, a mere fifteen years after he learned of her death during his time spent in prison. The couple’s relationship was notoriously intense, ending with the two both enthralled in the world of serious opiate addiction. Viewers have called into question the ethicality of giving Fielder-Civil a platform to speak on Amy and her passing, posing a larger question regarding the responsibilities of addiction, especially in regards to loved ones. Is the anniversary of Amy’s death another chance for Fielder-Civil to find his way back into the limelight, or does it draw back the curtain to the people she loved while she lived?

Addiction in the Limelight

It wasn’t a secret that Amy was an addict. Her time in rehab and episodic drug fueled highs were highly publicized. At the height of paparazzi’s invasive practices, capturing a photograph of Amy at rehab facilities or in public on a night out would have been like striking gold. So in true vulture fashion, the media swarmed Amy during her battle with addiction, selling any photos that gave a glimpse of vulnerability to the highest bidder. This exploitation left Amy raw and vulnerable, not in the way her lyrics had received acclimation for, but in the ruthless disrespect of autonomy. Amy’s life was constantly under question, and her relationships were never safe from the scrutiny of the merciless press.

Her marriage with Fielder-Civil was one that was highly speculative and surveilled amongst media outlets. Lots of people, fans, critics, and journalists alike, ultimately blamed Blake for her struggle with addiction, claiming he was the impetus to her experimentation with hard drugs. One user commented under a clip of the interview posted on Instagram asking, “Why are you giving this man a platform?” Another said “He drove her to it [drugs] PERIOD”. It was clear that her public unraveling happened around the height of their relationship, coming to a head near Blake’s arrest. Yet, it’s still a question whether her addiction was the result of a coercive relationship or an escape from the pressures of stardom. A brief review of past interviews with Amy easily suggests it could have been both and a multitude of other life experiences. The only thing for certain is that the public eye exacerbated Amy’s struggle with mental health. 

Fielder-Civil on We Need to Talk

Brunson posed pointed questions to Fielder, ones that were not easy to avoid and whose answers revealed the nuance of marriage and coinciding addiction. At one point, he asks Fielder, “You feel as if you and Amy became addicts together?” to which he responds, “I know for a fact we did.” The interview is over two hours long. Two hours of questioning, leaving no stone unturned. When asked how addiction fit into their relationship, Fielder says, “Our love had nothing to do with addiction and addiction had nothing to do with our love. That’s where it went but it wasn’t who we were.” 

Winehouse’s struggle with addiction often overshadows her musical talent, vivacious personality, and unforgettable style, yet, to use Fielder’s words, addiction is where she went, but not who she was. She revived jazz music using her soulful, timeless melodies. She became the first British woman to earn five Grammy’s in one night. She wore her authenticity on her sleeve, proving that where you come from is important and shouldn’t be plastered over to fit the mold people and society demands. She never once gave into the pressure to conform.

During a time when pop music prevailed and stars were bred to be similar, she was genuine, writing and producing some of the most memorable pieces of music of the past several decades. And she did it not because she was an addict or suffered from mental illness or disordered eating. She did it because she was HER. And we can all reflect back on her life for the woman she was and the legacy she still lives within. A real, authentic, raw woman. And, obviously, still one of the best voices in music. 

Did Amy Winehouse’s impact on the industry change music and how addiction is seen? Let us know your thoughts in the comments!