Imagine spending over a decade building a life with someone, only to find yourself starting over, completely alone. That's the reality pop star Rachel Stevens is facing, and she's bravely opening up about the emotional rollercoaster in a recent podcast interview. In this week's episode of HELLO!'s "Second Act" podcast, Rachel gets incredibly candid about still grappling with the grief of her 12-year marriage ending, a split that occurred back in 2022. But here's where it gets controversial... she admits she jumped into another serious relationship fairly quickly afterward, potentially hindering her healing process.
Speaking with host Ateh Jewel, Rachel, known for her time in the band S Club 7, reveals that she's navigating the complexities of being single for the first time in two decades, essentially rebuilding her life from the ground up. "For a long time I put a smile on and turned up and became the person that I thought I should be and got very lost along the way," she confessed. "I numbed myself because the feelings were just too much.” This statement highlights a common coping mechanism: suppressing emotions to get through challenging times, a strategy which, while understandable, can lead to delayed processing and prolonged grief.
Rachel describes herself as a "hopeless romantic," but acknowledges that her pursuit of what she calls "movie star love" has been a "painful" journey. And this is the part most people miss... the pressure celebrities face to maintain a perfect image often exacerbates the pain of personal struggles. "I went from being married into another long relationship [with Dancing on Ice star Brendyn Hatfield], and I don't know if I actually fully grieved the loss of my marriage," the 47-year-old shared. This raises a crucial question: Can you truly move on to a new relationship without fully processing the end of a previous one? Many relationship experts would argue that unresolved grief can sabotage future connections.
One of the biggest challenges Rachel faces is navigating a blended family dynamic. Her ex-husband remarried in February and is expecting a child with his new wife. Rachel openly discusses her struggles with "mummy guilt" over the impact of the divorce on her children. "Some days you feel empowered. Other days, you just want to cry under the duvet and hide. It is sad and obviously, we feel things ourselves, but we feel them for our kids as well.” This raw honesty is incredibly relatable for any parent going through a similar situation. Balancing your own emotions with the needs of your children is a constant tightrope walk.
It's important to remember that grief isn't linear; it comes in waves. Some days are good, others are incredibly difficult. It's a process, not an event.
Looking ahead, Rachel is focusing on self-care and personal growth as she approaches her 50th birthday. She's taken up weight training and is consciously trying to be kinder to herself. "You should celebrate every year," she says. "I like the power of being wise and emotionally more mature. [Going forward] I want to trust and believe in myself. But that's work in progress; we've never arrived. You can just do your best every day." This is a powerful message of self-acceptance and continuous improvement.
Rachel's story is a reminder that even celebrities face the same struggles with heartbreak and healing as the rest of us. Her vulnerability in sharing her experience is both inspiring and relatable. Do you think jumping into a new relationship after a divorce helps or hinders the grieving process? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
You can listen to Rachel's full interview on the "Second Act" podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Podcasts, and YouTube.
