Did Oliver Anthony struggle with addiction? Music sensation's journey to success marred by alcohol and mental problems
FARMIVILLE, VIRGINIA: Unless you've been completely out of touch, you're likely familiar with the rapid rise to fame of Oliver Anthony and his song ‘Rich Men North Of Richmond’.
Yet, what might not be widely known by his supporters is that this newfound sensation had previously grappled with a significant battle against alcohol addiction.
This song is called "Rich Men North of Richmond." It has been viewed MILLIONS of times.
— Jason Howerton (@jason_howerton) August 11, 2023
The artist's name is Oliver Anthony. I just got off the phone with him.
With his permission, I'd like to share the story he told me that moved the deepest parts of my soul...
Thread 🧵 pic.twitter.com/sPb7Iylx3d
Jason Howerton, who interviewed the singer, wrote in an X post, "In the past, Oliver was struggling with mental health & coping with alcohol. In depths of despair, just about a month ago, Oliver got to his knees & broke down in tears".
In the past, Oliver was struggling with mental health & coping with alcohol. In depths of despair, just about a month ago, Oliver got to his knees & broke down in tears.
— Jason Howerton (@jason_howerton) August 11, 2023
Though he's wasn't a religious man, that night he promised God to get sober if he helped him follow his dream
How did Oliver Anthony get famous?
According to The Rolling Stone, Oliver Anthony got famous after an unprecedented surge in online popularity courtesy of his instantaneous chart-topper, "Rich Men North of Richmond."
His unrefined, acoustic solo piece possesses an irresistibly captivating quality, effortlessly merging impassioned populist grievances regarding inflation and taxes with acerbic jabs directed at beneficiaries of welfare programs.
Did Olive Anthony struggle with addiction?
While celebrity status has undoubtedly come knocking at Anthony's door, he recently turned to Facebook to share an extensive "introduction" post, opening up about his past struggles with addiction, and candidly unveiling that the limelight wasn't his genuine aspiration.
Anthony expressed, “It's been difficult as I browse through the 50,000+ messages and emails I've received in the last week. The stories that have been shared paint a brutally honest picture. Suicide, addiction, unemployment, anxiety and depression, hopelessness and the list goes on”.
A part of the post read, “There’s nothing special about me. I’m not a good musician, I’m not a very good person. I’ve spent the last 5 years struggling with mental health and using alcohol to drown it.
"I am sad to see the world in the state it’s in, with everyone fighting with each other. I have spent many nights feeling hopeless, that the greatest country on Earth is quickly fading away."
What is Oliver Anthony’s legal name?
Oliver Anthony’s legal name is Christopher Anthony Lunsford. Embracing his lineage from a factory laborer to a country vocalist, the artist chose to honor his grandfather by adopting the stage name ‘Oliver Anthony’.
Anthony’s song "Rich Men North Of Richmond" swiftly ascended to the pinnacle of iTunes and Apple Music charts, and it currently stands poised to claim the coveted pinnacle of Billboard's comprehensive Hot 100 chart encompassing all genres.
How many streams does 'Rich Men North of Richmond' have?
According to The New York Times, "Rich Men North of Richmond" has 17.5 million streams.
Additionally, The Tennessean reports that for the Billboard Hot 100 chart of August 15, there is a possibility that Anthony's politically infused blue-collar ballad, carrying themes of opposition to taxation, welfare, and the federal government in Washington, could secure a place within the Top 5.
In a remarkable feat, as per reports from Billboard, "Rich Men North of Richmond" has not only surged to claim the pinnacle of the Billboard Hot 100 chart but has also achieved the distinction of propelling Anthony into the coveted position of the first artist to debut at No 1, without any prior history on the charts.