Keith Urban might have started his country music career way back in the early 1990s. But he’s gained more recognition in recent years for other reasons. Urban famously married Oscar winner Nicole Kidman in 2006 and has served as a judge on American Idol. But despite how much Urban’s personal and professional life is in the public eye, here’s why he rarely brings up his sobriety.
Keith Urban faced addiction in the past
Urban’s journey with alcoholism and addiction has been an ongoing one. The singer reportedly checked into a rehabilitation center in the late 1990s. And he sought treatment again in the mid-2000s, around the same time he married Kidman.
For the past 15 years or so, Urban has remained sober. However, even some of his longtime fans might not have realized his personal connection to addiction and alcoholism. That’s because Urban rarely brings it up. And he has a good reason for choosing to take that path.
Why the country singer rarely acknowledges his sobriety
Urban’s been sober for years now. But he still largely avoids discussing his alcoholism publicly. And in an interview with Rolling Stone, the singer makes it clear he doesn’t want his personal life to interfere with how his fans experience his music or his live performances.
“The reason I don’t really talk much about sobriety is it’s a very personal thing and I don’t want anyone thinking that I have a negative opinion of drugs or alcohol. I don’t have any at all. None. I want people to come to my concert and do whatever the hell they want to do. … I don’t want people at my concert looking at the stage and thinking about sobriety. That would be the death of a gig for me. It’s not what I want. I’m not there for that. I’m not an AA meeting. I’m on stage and I’m playing and I’m singing, and we’re going to have a great time. We’re going to let go of everything and be in the moment.”
Although Urban could have chosen to approach his sobriety in a more public way, no doubt many of his fans – particularly those who come to his show with a drink in hand – will appreciate his focus on the music instead of his personal life.
Keith Urban is touring the world in 2022
Urban’s most recent album is 2020’s The Speed of Now Part 1. And fans who have been looking to hear the singer perform his latest tracks live will finally get their chance. The Speed of Now World Tour kicked off in Birmingham, England in April 2022.
Following his tour of Europe, Urban will visit North America and then finally conclude in Australia. The final show of the tour is scheduled for December 2022 in Melbourne. The Speed of Now World Tour extends to roughly 80 shows overall and is Urban’s first tour since 2019.
How to get help: In the U.S., contact the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration helpline at 1-800-662-4357.
How to get help: In the U.S. and Canada, contact the National Council on Problem Gambling helpline at 1-800-522-4700.
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