Orville Peck Reveals Harsh Reality of Sobriety Journey & Rehab Ultimatum
Orville Peck offers a raw account of his journey to sobriety following a near-fatal overdose, detailing his initial reluctance to enter rehab and the subsequent challenges of heightened anxiety. He also discusses the evolving purpose of his iconic mask and his new album, "Mule," featuring a collaboration with Emmylou Harris, with tour proceeds benefiting the Trevor Project.
Country crooner Orville Peck, despite continuing to hide his face behind a mask, has been remarkably open about his personal battles with addiction and mental health. In an exclusive interview set to air on ABC’s Nightline, Peck revisits his difficult journey to sobriety with ABC News correspondent Jaclyn Lee, detailing the efforts he undertook after experiencing a near-fatal overdose.
Peck vividly recalled the immediate aftermath of his overdose, stating, “I canceled all my touring, I headed into rehab. I lost my relationship.” He candidly admitted that his decision to enter rehabilitation was not initially voluntary, explaining that he was “basically given an ultimatum about my career.” He further elaborated on his initial motivations, confessing, “I didn’t really do it for myself at first. I did it for other people because I was so frightened of people leaving me.” However, through his personal experience, Peck eventually found a deeper, more personal commitment to his recovery: “But I found my own way through my journey of sobriety that I have to make the priority myself in all aspects of my life.”
The path since achieving sobriety has presented its own set of challenges. Peck noted that while he is now sober, he often feels as though his anxiety has intensified. “I think at times it almost feels as if my anxiety is worse but that’s because I was numbing it before,” he revealed, acknowledging the previous role of substances in suppressing his mental health struggles.
The conversation also delved into the evolving nature of Peck’s iconic mask. He explained its initial purpose as “armor to be vulnerable in my songwriting.” Over time, the mask has gradually revealed more of his face, transitioning from full coverage with fringe to his current Lone Ranger-style eye mask. This shift in his public persona mirrors his journey towards greater self-acceptance, a theme he touched upon by discussing his experiences with childhood bullying.
Peck continues to work on himself and advocates for radical self-acceptance. He shared, “I think the hardest thing for any human is to have radical self-acceptance and just be so happy to be yourself no matter what. … That took me a long time to feel like I can just be myself in every scenario.”
In other news, Orville Peck’s new Jay Joyce-produced album, “Mule,” was released on September 18 and debuted at No. 19 on Billboard’s Top Country Albums chart. The album notably includes a collaboration with Emmylou Harris. Peck’s “The Man Turned Mule Tour” is scheduled to continue through November 22, culminating in Huntington, New York, with $1 from every ticket sold being donated to the Trevor Project.