Cara Delevingne credits sobriety as ‘amazing catalyst’ ahead of debut album

Cara Delevingne has credited sobriety with helping unlock a new chapter in her creative life as she prepares to launch her music career.

The model-turned-musician is set to release her debut album later this summer after recently signing with Warner Music Group. 

The first two tracks from the project were released on Friday, marking a significant milestone in her artistic journey.

Speaking to Rolling Stone, Delevingne described becoming sober in 2022 as an "amazing catalyst" that not only transformed her personal life but also shaped the music she has written for her debut record.

One of the album's tracks, I Forgot, draws directly from her early experiences with sobriety.

The 33-year-old explained that the song captures the vulnerable feeling of navigating life without the coping mechanisms she once relied on.

"It's about that kind of arid, raw feeling you get, exposed and unmedicated, just living life for the first time as a sober person," she said.

Delevingne added that sobriety allowed her to reconnect with a more innocent side of herself, while also confronting difficult truths about her health and well-being.

"You feel like the danger-seeking behavior or the rebellion is a part of you, but underneath it all is actually this little kid and this innocence," she said.

The actress and model also hopes her music will introduce audiences to a more authentic version of herself beyond the public image built through years of magazine covers, runway appearances and film roles.

"There was this thing of wanting it to feel like the real me was breaking through," she explained, describing the album as an opportunity to move beyond people's preconceived perceptions.

Although this marks her first full-length album, Delevingne is no stranger to music. Over the years, she has collaborated with several prominent artists, including contributing vocals to St. Vincent's song Pills and recording music for the soundtrack of the 2017 film Valerian and the City of a Thousand Planets.

She also previously appeared as a guest vocalist on Fiona Apple's acclaimed track Fetch the Bolt Cutters. Apple later returned the favour by helping Delevingne write lyrics for her song Need It.

Reflecting on their collaboration, Delevingne said Apple played a key role in helping her feel comfortable expressing herself creatively.

"I wanted to do a song that honored her," she said, adding that working alongside the singer-songwriter gave her the confidence to be herself in the studio.

As she prepares to release her debut album, Delevingne said her main goal is simple: to create music that resonates with listeners.

"I wanted this kind of music to feel like pop music in the sense of just getting it to the most ears," she said. "If anyone can hear it and feel something, that's all I want."