Great Company with Jamie Laing – Episode Summary: Rizzle Kicks: My Anxiety Paralyzed Me

Release Date: November 13, 2024

In this deeply personal and engaging episode of Great Company with Jamie Laing, host Jamie sits down with the dynamic duo from Rizzle Kicks, Jordan Stevens and Harley, to explore their journey through fame, mental health struggles, and their resilient comeback to the music scene. The conversation delves into themes of anxiety, ADHD, racial identity, and the importance of supportive relationships, offering listeners an intimate glimpse into the lives of these talented artists.

1. Introduction to Rizzle Kicks and Their Return

Jamie Laing opens the episode with palpable excitement about welcoming Rizzle Kicks back to the show after a significant hiatus. He highlights their initial rise to fame, their decision to pause due to Harley's severe anxiety, and their recent resurgence in the music industry.

• Jamie Laing [03:44]: "We're really, really big. We're really amazing. We're really excited."

2. Childhood and Early Experiences

Jordan Stevens shares his experiences growing up as one of the few Black children in a predominantly white school in Brighton, reflecting on the normalized racism he encountered and its lasting impact on his self-esteem and racial identity.

• Jordan Stevens [07:06]: "I only realized the impact that had on me when I grew into an adult... It was so normalized that I kind of became part of it myself."

Harley echoes similar sentiments, discussing the challenges of being in a minority and the pressures to assimilate, which often led to a compromised sense of self-worth.

• Harley [09:42]: "If my being there is someone's only experience of being around blackness, they'll try things to see where the boundary is."

3. Navigating Mental Health: Anxiety and ADHD

The conversation shifts to the duo's mental health struggles. Jordan opens up about his diagnosis with ADHD at 15 and how it intertwined with his experiences of anger and emotional suppression during his formative years.

• Jordan Stevens [13:28]: "I was considered an A star student and I didn't get a single A... I threw my work at the teacher."

Harley discusses his severe anxiety attacks, including a pivotal moment on stage that led to a panic attack, forcing them to cancel their tour and prioritize their mental well-being over their burgeoning careers.

• Jordan Stevens [31:19]: "We took a step back and just said, look, we need to work on ourselves. That was the best thing we could have done."

4. The Impact of Family and Relationships

Jordan delves into his complex relationship with his father, a Nigerian man who struggled with his racial identity, and how this influenced Jordan's approach to fatherhood and his desire to provide a supportive environment for his own children.

• Jordan Stevens [08:25]: "I want to celebrate and encourage all my kids... I want them to have an understanding of it."

Harley shares insights into his family dynamics, emphasizing the lack of a present father figure and how meeting Jemima, his supportive partner, played a crucial role in his healing process.

• Harley [53:47]: "When I met my wife, she showed love but not the sort of validation love that I needed."

5. Overcoming Obstacles and Embracing Resilience

The duo discusses their collective decision to prioritize mental health over immediate success, contrasting their experience with others in the industry who succumbed to unhealthy lifestyles.

• Harley [35:18]: "We have to live with the expectation of something that we've overachieved, which makes you just a little lost."

Jordan recounts his struggle with OCD and how therapy helped him reframe his relationship with intrusive thoughts, leading to better coping mechanisms.

• Jordan Stevens [37:07]: "Once I understood that about OCD, it got so much easier to cope with."

Jemima highlights the importance of heartfelt connections and moving away from seeking external validation, fostering a healthier approach to both personal life and their music career.

• Jemima [43:17]: "I've only found that in the later part of my 20s, where now the friendships I have are based around a heartfelt connection."

6. Rebuilding the Music Career with New Perspectives

Reflecting on their return to music, Rizzle Kicks emphasize a more grounded and values-driven approach, focusing on love, connection, and resilience rather than the pressures of fame.

• Jemima [56:03]: "We are bringing through an energy that is reflective of something a bit more uplifted."

Jordan adds that their immediate success created unrealistic expectations, but their current mindset allows them to navigate the music industry more sustainably.

• Jordan Stevens [28:06]: "The album is double platinum now, which is insane... but our second album sold fewer because we haven't overachieved."

7. Personal Growth and Future Aspirations

As the episode draws to a close, Rizzle Kicks share their personal growth journeys, the importance of supportive partners, and their aspirations for future tours and projects. They also discuss the release of Jemima's book, which delves deeper into their mental health journeys.

• Jemima [59:42]: "People who struggle to read can listen to my book... It's written by someone who has a very dynamic thought process."

8. Quick-Fire Questions: Moments of Levity and Insight

To end the episode on a lighter note, Jamie conducts a quick-fire segment with Rizzle Kicks, revealing amusing and heartfelt insights into their personalities and relationships.

• Jordan Stevens [62:10]: "Harley, I love you."
• Jemima [64:14]: "Ing with your mouth open?" (Referring to a turn-off)
• Jordan Stevens [65:00]: "Harley, I love you."

9. Conclusion and Final Thoughts

Jamie wraps up the episode by expressing his gratitude for the openness and vulnerability shared by Rizzle Kicks, highlighting the importance of such conversations in destigmatizing mental health issues.

• Jamie Laing [66:10]: "Guys, honestly, I just want to say I really appreciate you guys coming on and your music's going to be amazing..."

Notable Quotes with Timestamps

• Jordan Stevens [31:19]: "We took a step back and just said, look, we need to work on ourselves. That was the best thing we could have done."

• Jemima [43:17]: "I've been listening to it and you're..." (Referring to her book’s impact)

• Jemima [56:03]: "We are bringing through an energy that is reflective of something a bit more uplifted."

• Jordan Stevens [28:06]: "The album is double platinum now, which is insane... but our second album sold fewer because we haven't overachieved."

• Jamie Laing [66:10]: "Guys, honestly, I just want to say I really appreciate you guys coming on and your music's going to be amazing..."

Key Takeaways

• Mental Health Awareness: The episode underscores the importance of recognizing and addressing mental health issues like anxiety, ADHD, and OCD, especially in high-pressure environments like the music industry.

• Resilience Through Support: Rizzle Kicks highlight how supportive relationships and therapy can play pivotal roles in overcoming personal struggles and fostering growth.

• Redefining Success: Moving away from immediate fame and embracing a values-driven approach allows for sustainable success and personal well-being.

• Celebrating Diversity and Identity: The duo's discussions on racial identity and their upbringing shed light on the complexities of navigating minority experiences in predominantly homogeneous settings.

• Authentic Connections: Emphasizing heartfelt relationships over superficial validation leads to more meaningful personal and professional lives.

This episode serves as a powerful testament to the human spirit's ability to overcome adversity, emphasizing that success intertwined with personal happiness and mental health is not only achievable but essential.