All We Need To Know

‘The Tragic 27 club’ – That’s where the talented Amy Winehouse has been made to rest after her public and much talked about life and death. 

Self-destructive, a victim but just another girl – her story is more than what the tabloids have it. Known for her love for jazz music – Amy gave all her songs a quirky pop twist and owned every single album.

While all her songs smashed charts across the world, they also somehow hinted at her struggles that finally got the best of her in 2011.

Amy died of alcohol poisoning at the mere age of 27 after succumbing to global criticism and fighting her inner demons. 

So, when we stumbled upon a podcast called The C-Word on Luminary which has two episodes dedicated just for her, we realized that she was more than just a damsel in distress.  Hosted by ​​Lena Dunham and Alissa Bennett, this podcast is for all the women that society has dismissed by calling mad, sad, or plain bad. 

So, we went through this particular episode that takes us through the life of Amy Winehouse and has a few takeaways. 

What is it that shook her?

1. Early years of conflict at home

Amy saw conflict at home at a very early age in life. She grew up watching her father leave her mom at the early age of 9. The divorce and the abandonment got to her when she saw the presence of another woman in her father’s life soon after. 

2. Her struggle with body image issues

Amy Winehouse struggled with bulimia, an eating disorder where people binge and purge in order to remain thin. As per tabloids, as a teenager, Amy thought she discovered a new ‘diet’ that helped her maintain her goal body weight despite eating everything she likes.

This lasted over a decade and was untreated for years until media scrutiny pointed out her rather skinny appearance every time she was on stage.

3. Drug and alcohol abuse

Smuggling drugs to dinners – creating a fuss when questioned – it was very late when people found out about her substance abuse issues. 

She spent most of her money on alcohol and drugs and started reacting publically due to the aftermath. With her family issues and her marriage breaking – Amy could not let go of any of these problems and spiraled back into substance abuse time and again.

4. Her personal life

With tattoos of each other names and an obsession that knew no bounds, Amy’s nasty divorce was another reason she could not get out of the loop. Amy met Blake Fielder in 2003 and fell in love with him soon after. 

It is said that it was this meeting that introduced her to the world of drugs. They impulsively got married in 2007 and their marriage ended when Blake was sentenced to 27 months in prison two years after. 

This excruciating divorce took a toll on Amy’s mental health worsened her substance abuse issues.

5. Her public reactions

The disturbances in her public life and her very public reactions caused people to call her ‘Hurricane Amy’. All thanks to the media scrutiny that poked her to react – this quintessential modern tragedy that caused a ‘death by misadventure’ made the news that stays without a closure for many.

For people, the Amy Winehouse saga is a reminder – a reminder to be kind and compassionate. For we don’t know the battles one has faced or is facing. 

As for Amy, her legacy lives on in her songs. It is a reminder that one should always seek help and keep their loved ones close. Rest in peace dear, Amy. We’re thinking of you today!

You can listen to the entire podcast in two parts here.