Darren Hayes of Savage Garden revealed to news what inspired him to speak for the first time about the mental health struggles he endured during the band’s heyday.
The 50-year-old gay singer wrote an emotional post for HuffPost on July 1. In which he revealed that the struggles he was going through to cope with his sexuality had brought him “to the brink of suicide.”.
It was a discussion that, according to news Hayes, “was an integral part of why I came back to music.”
“I would say my new album saved my life,” the Australian musician said. “I was in an emotionally dark place also didn’t realize that my creative outlet, like my sexuality, was a big part of who I was. Also in denying that, I was denying an important part of myself.”
Hayes said his process of making new music “is a lifeline” after a decade away from the spotlight.
“I realized that at the height of my fame and commercial success, I was never myself,” she said. “It would be a shame for me to step out of the public eye without returning to the world. As my original and authentic self.” Hayes has been promoting his upcoming UK tour “heavy” over the past week. Which is already enjoying complete success. “No kidding, it went on sale, also about 80 percent of the tickets were sold out on the first day,” he said. “What a pleasant surprise after ten years of absence.”
Hayes is at Savage Garden with Daniel Jones. His biggest hits include “I Want You,” “To the Moon and Back,” and “Truly Madly Deeply.”
After the band broke up in 2001, Hayes married his ex-wife Colby Taylor from 1994 to 2000 and eventually came out as gay. She has been married to Richard Cullen since 2013.
Hayes spoke to Billboard in 2017 about being sexually bullied growing up, even by his father. But the HuffPost essay marks the first time he has publicly discussed the severe mental health issues he has faced for being gay.