Norwegian pop star Marie Ulven Ringheim, internationally known as Girl In Red, has opened up about a severe mental health crisis, benzodiazepine addiction, and a suicide attempt during her 2024 world tour, according to an interview with VG. The 27-year-old artist shared her experience to provide context for dark new music, highlighting the heavy toll of intense touring schedules on artists.
Touring Burnout and Addiction Struggles
According to VG, Ringheim embarked on a massive world tour in the spring of 2024 following the release of her second album, “I’m Doing It Again Baby!”, and high-profile opening slots for Taylor Swift. The schedule included 70 concerts and approximately 300 travel days across the globe, leading to extreme exhaustion. In May 2025, Ringheim revealed to her TikTok followers that she became dependent on benzodiazepines to manage anxiety, slipped into depression, and attempted to take her own life on a hotel room bed. She spent about half a year dealing with the addiction before recovering with the help of a district psychiatric center (DPS) and a strong support network.
Parallels to Elite Sports and Performance Pressure
Following a 2022 vocal cord issue that forced the cancellation of a European tour, Ringheim became hyper-focused on avoiding unreliability. During a dinner, she connected with cross-country skier Johannes Høsflot Klæbo, discovering shared pressures between music and elite sports. According to Klæbo in his comments to VG, both lifestyles involve long periods alone in hotel rooms, health anxieties, and intense performance demands. Ringheim also received an ADHD diagnosis in 2024, which she stated helped explain how she reached such a crisis point.
Personal Life Rebuilding and Relationship Resilience
Amid the chaos, Ringheim’s romantic relationship ended while she was unwell. However, after entering recovery, she and her partner found their way back to each other, moved in together, and are now a couple again, according to VG. Professionally, Ringheim is also stepping into acting, starring as a troubled musician named Maja in Eivind Landsvik’s upcoming film “Lave forventninger”, which is set for a September cinema release and has been selected as a Norwegian Oscar candidate.
Need help? If you or someone you know is struggling, resources are available. In Norway, you can contact Mental Helse at 116 123, Kirkens SOS at 22 40 00 40, or call 113 in case of an immediate emergency. International readers should reach out to their local emergency services or mental health support hotlines.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Girl In Red?
Girl In Red is the moniker of Norwegian singer-songwriter Marie Ulven Ringheim, known for melodic indie pop hits like “We Fell In Love In October” and her advocacy within the queer community.
What did Girl In Red reveal about her health?
According to VG, Ringheim shared that she suffered from benzodiazepine addiction, depression, and a suicide attempt during her 2024 world tour before seeking treatment at a psychiatric center.
What is Girl In Red’s acting debut?
Ringheim stars as Maja in Eivind Landsvik’s feature film “Lave forventninger”, which premieres in September and is a Norwegian Oscar candidate.
Call to Action: What are your thoughts on how the music industry handles artist burnout? Share your perspective in the comments below, or subscribe to our newsletter for more entertainment updates.