Guess there’s no need in rehashing the love triangle drama that was brought about by the release of Olivia Rodrigo’s “drivers license.” However, what you might not have known is that the stress of it is the reason Joshua Bassett was hospitalized with heart failure.
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Days after the hit single dropped and captivated literally everyone, it was reported the Joshua (one third of said love triangle) was admitted into the hospital for heart failure. Now, in a recent interview with People, Bassett has opened up about the harrowing experience, suggesting he believes that stress from the public’s reaction to the song definitely contributed.
Noting that he began feeling seriously ill as a result of the stress he felt from online chatter the week prior to his hospitalization, he shared, "I was sleeping 16 to 20 hours a day," noting that he was feeling worse "every day." "I couldn't even stand up for longer than 30 seconds.”
Following the debut of "drivers license" Bassett dropped his own single "Lie Lie Lie” the next week, after which his condition noticeably worsened. “I felt my heart literally failing,” he recalled. “I was like, ‘This isn’t just anxiety. This is bad.’”
Joshua continued, “the doctors were like, 'If you hadn't checked in within 12 hours, you would have died in your apartment,'" he said. "It's wild that I was this close to taking another nap.”
After spending nine days in the hospital Joshua was released, however his troubles didn't end then. Admitting that he “was even more depressed and stressed. I had a panic attack every single day.” It was during this time that Joshua wrote his trio of lyrically revealing songs "Crisis," "Secret" and "Set Me Free.” Which actually was not as much therapeutic for him as it was "stressful and hard.”
Crediting his therapist, along with yoga and meditation with helping him find calmness and stability, these days, as it seems, Joshua is in a much better place. “In this last year a lot of my biggest fears came true. But in that, I found that I'll always be OK, if not better off.”
And Bassett plans to keep it as such but making sure "everything I do aligns with what I needed when I was 10.”
"With that, I'm constantly seeking how can I have a greater impact on myself and others, whether through music, charity or projects," he shared. "My mission is to bring light to people and help them find their peace. That's all I ever want to do, truly.”
Audacy's I’m Listening initiative aims to encourage those who are dealing with mental health issues to understand they are not alone. If you or anyone you know is struggling with depression or anxiety, know that someone is always there. Additionally, the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week at 1-800-273-8255.