John Newman has made a triumphant return to music after a five-year hiatus, and he credits his three-year-old daughter for helping him heal. The 'Love Me Again' singer, 35, took a break in 2021 to rediscover himself, admitting that fame had taken a toll on his mental health.
A Personal Journey
Speaking exclusively to the Mirror, Newman revealed that his rise to fame left him feeling disconnected from his true self. 'I didn't really know myself as an adult, or like John anymore,' he said. 'It was one of the hardest points of my life.' However, fatherhood has been transformative. 'My daughter has helped me discover how to be the best dad, husband, friend, and person I can be.'
Family Healing
Newman also opened up about his rocky relationship with his own father, which they reconciled before his father's death. Determined to leave a lasting legacy for his daughter, he said: 'After my dad died, I had little to look back on because I had been so angry. I don't want that for my daughter. Life can be short. I've had my own health scares, and I want her to know how much I loved her and that hard work pays off.'
His new track, 'Merry Go', features a sample of his daughter's voice, a decision that felt natural to him. 'It was completely apparent to put a sample of her little voice on there at the beginning,' he said with a smile. 'Now she asks me to play that one because she wants to hear her voice. That's really important when the message is to her.'
A Creative Vision
Beyond the music, Newman was deeply involved in the video production. He explained: 'AI is not a comfortable place for music videos yet. My mate suggested a Meta-like look-alike competition, and I thought it was brilliant. I wanted it to feel like Phoenix Nights meets Black Mirror—arty, weird, but also stupid and gimmicky. It's a fine line between rubbish and great, but I don't think it's rubbish.'
Newman's comeback marks a new chapter, blending personal healing with creative ambition.
