Anyone expecting a laugh a minute in the new one and a half hour documentary about Lewis Capaldi are in for a shock, with the Whitburn singer opening up about his mental health issues as he struggles to deal with his newfound worldwide fame. The ‘Someone You Loved’ star is well-known and loved for his playful and sometimes downright hilarious behaviour, which has helped endear him even further to his fans, along with his heartfelt ballads.
However, in the new Netflix documentary ‘How I’m Feeling Now’, released this week, Lewis reveals all as the cameras follow him on his journey following the success of his debut album ‘Divinely Uninspired to a Hellish Extent’, which sold more than 10 million copies, to having to write his ‘difficult’ follow-up album while back home in Whitburn with his parents during lockdown. The emotional journey that ensues will surprise fans, as the normally confident singer struggles with tics and his self belief and is later diagnosed with Tourette’s Syndrome.
. Mental health
The most striking thing in the Netflix documentary is how Lewis struggles to cope with his mental health issues, which are compounded by his frustration at the lack of progress on songwriting for his second album, with the worldwide Covid pandemic and lockdown only adding to the problem. Normally known for his sense of humour, it is interesting and refreshing to see how honest and open Lewis is about his struggles with his mental health, something that can hit anyone hard, even chart topping singers. Photo: Samir Hussein/ Getty
. Tics
The most uncomfortable viewing in How I'm Feeling Now is watching the West Lothian star's tics getting worse as his mental health deteriorates during the documentary. Although he tries to shrug it off, his parents, friends and management raise concerns about his health and he is later diagnosed with Tourette's syndrome, much to the relief of Lewis, who proclaims "I no longer worry that I'm going to die", and his family and friends. Photo: Valery Hache/ Getty
. Wembley Arena
His health worries come to a head during this London show, with the singer crippled by back pain and exhaustion as he struggles to continue his performance. Watching his adoring fans finish the words to his songs would bring a tear to a glass eye. His parents, watching from the stands, are quick to voice their concerns, with his dad describing it as Lewis's "worst moment". Photo: Jeff J Mitchell
5. Parents
Lewis's parents Carole and Mark get the second most screen time after the singer. While mostly warm and incredibly supportive of their son, their is one striking moment in the documentary when the old school Scottish 'tough love' parenting comes through. Lewis plays them a recording of one of his new songs, an incredibly heartfelt ballad, with the no-nonsense parents giving him an immediate and brutal review of his efforts with his dad using words we simply can't repeat! His mum offered the less hard hitting "it's not as good as your other stuff". Photo: Andrew Milligan
6. Still funny
Despite his mental health struggles, Lewis still provides many hilarious moments during the Netflix documentary, including from his childhood, his journey to the top of the pops and rubbing shoulders with fellow stars, including his good friend, Irish singer Niall Horan from One Direction. Photo: Jeff J Mitchell/ Getty
7. Songwriting struggles
Lewis struggles to write the second album he wants to, with the cameras capturing awkward and difficult conversations with his management and record label about the lack of progress with his follow-up record, including one chat about the lack of a standout single from what he had written so far. However, after working with other songwriters in the UK and LA, we see Lewis record the songs he is happy with for a potential second smash hit album. Photo: Jeff J Mitchell/ Getty
8. Hit influences
Lewis also reveals the inspiration behind two of his biggest hits. With the singer telling the documentary crew that 'Someone You Loved' was not about a former girlfriends as many fans believed but in fact about his grandmother who died when he was a boy. A heartbreaking moment comes after Lewis reveals how 'Before You Go' was about his auntie taking her own life when he was younger. His mum struggles to composer herself when speaking to camera about her sister's tragic death. Photo: Emma McIntyre /AMA2020