Avril Lavigne Makes First Red Carpet Appearance in 2 Years: ‘I Have My Life Back’ (Exclusive)
Avril Lavigne is excited about making new music again.
ET’s Lauren Zima spoke with the notoriously private 33-year-old singer at the 25th Annual Race to Erase MS Gala at The Beverly Hilton on Friday, which marked her first red carpet in two years. Lavigne is on the board of directors for the Nancy Davis Foundation for Multiple Sclerosis, which is dedicated to the treatment and ultimate cure of MS.
“When I first met Nancy Davis, working with her …inspired me to start my own foundation, The Avril Lavigne Foundation, with people with special needs and serious illness,” she tells ET. “So, it’s been years. Since then, I’ve actually got Lyme disease, so it’s actually been a few years since I’ve been able to make it to the gala. So tonight, I’m here and I’m feeling much better. … All around, it’s more meaningful for me to be here.”
Lavigne was diagnosed with Lyme disease in 2014 and was bedridden for five months. The “Sk8er Boi” singer says her long awaited new music — which she’s been working on for three years — will reflect her life-changing journey.
“I’m feeling a lot better,” she says about her current health. “It’s been a long time. For me to be able to be here and I’m making a record right now. I have my life back which is amazing. It’s something I continue to work at every day. And just, like, grateful to be making music. I’ve written a really powerful record, really emotional album sort of reflecting where I am today. I’m going to release that this year. I’m actually going to be done in two weeks.”
“I mean, I write all of my songs and I always have, and these songs are different,” she adds. “I’m just sort of writing about what I’m going through now.”
In December 2016, Lavigne announced a new album that was originally scheduled to be released in 2017. She also thanked fans for their “patience” while she took time away from the spotlight to prioritize her health.
“I wanted to first thank my fans for your patience and support during my time away throughout my battle with Lyme Disease over the past two years,” she posted to Instagram at the time. “It hasn’t just been a hard battle but it’s also been enlightening and will reflect in my new music, artistry, life, and personally.”
Last August, she also gave an update on her new music, explaining that she was taking the time to make sure it’s “perfect” for her fans.
“I just want to thank everyone for their patience as I work on putting together this new album,” Lavigne Instagrammed. “It’s been a long recovery and I want to make sure that this is perfect for you guys!”
Back in September, Lavigne appeared to be in good spirits celebrating her 33rd birthday at TAO Los Angeles, rocking a lacy LBD and over-the-knee boots. Watch below:
