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Ashley Roberts reveals terrifying health scare that saw her ‘body shut down’ as she details decades long battle with insomnia in candid podcast

BBG News

She was a member of one of the most renowned global pop bands, the Pussycat Dolls, and achieved international fame with them.

Nevertheless, Ashley Roberts has had to bear the consequences backstage due to her efforts to match the demanding choreography and relentless pace of her performances.

On Paul Brunson’s podcast “We Need To Talk”, the singer, aged 43, candidly discussed a harrowing health incident that occurred while she was part of the band and her prolonged struggle with sleeplessness over several decades.

She confessed: ‘When I my body started shutting down, I thought ok it is time to take a pause.’ 

Describing her condition, the star confessed that medical experts were concerned she might have a brain aneurysm following a prolonged period of illness and intense headaches.

In London, we had a performance, and I wasn’t feeling well. So, I said something like, “I guess I’m just not feeling great, must have picked up something.

Feeling quite unwell with severe vomiting and intense headaches, I found myself contemplating, “Things aren’t improving, and I urgently need to board a plane for Germany.

In simpler terms, “Upon visiting the hospital, they suspected I had a brain aneurysm and advised me to rest. However, I found myself needing to board a flight instead.

As I was strolling towards the MRI, suddenly my knee froze stiff, and it turned out I had contracted viral arthritis – something I wasn’t aware existed. Consequently, I found myself unable to bend my knee.

She went on saying, “I felt as if my body had come to a halt due to a reaction from a virus I’d contracted. Yet, I carried on, much like an unstoppable performance.

Following her departure from the group, Ashley experienced a further decline in her health, which she attributed to high levels of stress.

As a devoted follower, I’d put it this way: “I felt an unmistakable, tangible expression of accumulated emotions within me. Somehow, they needed to find an outlet.

If something isn’t expelled, the body will try to eliminate it on its own, and I think that’s what my body was attempting to do.

From a young age, I’ve struggled with skin issues like eczema on my legs, stomach problems such as ulcers, and shingles appearing on my chin. I believe that stress has been the underlying cause of these health issues throughout my life. Fortunately, I had the performing arts and dance as an outlet to channel my stress, but it seems that my body was accustomed to harboring tension.

In the course of the interview, Ashley later disclosed her prolonged struggle against insomnia that dated back to her teenage years. She confessed that at the age of 14, she started consuming large amounts of Nyquil, which is similar to Night Nurse in the U.S. market.

In simpler terms, she mentioned that NyQuil became her nighttime companion during a difficult time when she was around 14 years old. She was struggling to deal with things and wasn’t getting much sleep.

I had been quite tense due to an upcoming visit from a choreographer, as I yearned to make a good impression and perform at my peak. The anticipation was so high that it kept me awake at night.

The following night, I became extremely worried about not being able to sleep, and this persisted for several consecutive nights. It made me feel as though I was losing my sanity.

I kept taking sips of NyQuil at regular intervals throughout the night so I could manage to fall asleep.

She explained that she developed a habit of sleeping regularly due to her anxiety about not being able to present herself authentically or think clearly for school, work, and dance if she didn’t get enough sleep.

I was anxious about maintaining my mental well-being, although it may have been unproductive, I simply prioritized rest over other tasks, thinking “Rest is crucial, I need to rest.

Later on, Ashley started using Xanax, noting that it had been beneficial for several decades of her life.

Since I was 14, I’ve grappled with persistent sleep problems. I wasn’t quite sure how to manage them, but I knew they would temporarily lull me into slumber for a few hours at a time.

Now, Ashley shared that by sticking to a regular routine, she’s discovered a sense of stability. She attributes this balanced life in part to the Heart Breakfast Show.

As an ardent devotee, I can’t help but gush over the transformative impact the structure, stability, and routine have had on my life! It’s as if these elements have imbued my body with a unique, consistent rhythm that’s been nothing short of revolutionary.

‘But that has taken time and I still don’t have the perfect balance.’ 

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2025-07-22 14:35

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