Lola Young feared she might have died if she did not step away from music after collapsing on stage during a performance last year.
The singer-songwriter, 25, revealed addiction lay behind the incident at the All Things Go festival in New York in September, when she fell backwards while performing her song Conceited and had to be carried off stage.
London-born Lola’s collapse led Lola to cancel all of her scheduled concerts for the “foreseeable future” as she focused on recovery.
She later returned to the public eye with an appearance at the Grammys, where she collected her first award for Best Pop Solo Performance for the single Messy – after earlier in the year being nominated for five Brit Awards.
The artist had previously checked into rehab as part of efforts to tackle a cocaine addiction.
Speaking about the reaction she faced after stepping back from performing, Lola has now told Rolling Stone: “There was a bunch of hate, but you know what? F*** it.”
She added: “(Going away) was a decision that I had to make… what else was I going to do? Die? That was the reality of where my addiction was heading.”
Lola also explained she had pushed herself too far before the incident occurred.
She said: “I chose to hurt myself and self-sabotage, and I also chose to get onstage and perform.”
The singer also described the collapse as a turning point in her life and career.
She added: “I am very grateful that it happened because it was… a breaking point which allowed me to then be able to be here today, allowed me to be better for my fans, better for the future, and better for myself.”
Lola said she received supportive messages from other musicians after the incident, including Katy Perry, Sir Elton John and Lady Gaga.
Elton is renowned for the support he gives young artists on the rise – and those in trouble due to drink and drugs issues.
Following her Grammy win, Lola spoke about how she planned to celebrate the achievement.
She said: “I am going to have an In-N-Out burger with my manager and everyone.”
Lola added: “I don’t drink, but it’s going to be fun anyway.”