Country music star was 'killing himself' as parents were 'scared of the way he was living'

Country artist Nate Smith, who was rumored to be dating Avril Lavigne, is getting candid about his long battle with depression, unhealthy habits, and the toll it all took on his body and mind.

In an interview with People magazine, the 39-year-old singer revealed that he has lost 55 pounds since late 2024 while taking a step forward in both physical and mental health.

Smith said: “I didn’t like the way I looked. I didn’t like the way I felt. I didn’t like how I was out of breath all the time and how I’d get dizzy just tying my shoes. I felt like I was slowly killing myself, and I didn’t know what to do about it.”

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Smith said the turning point came when he saw how his lifestyle affected those closest to him, particularly his parents. The singer explained that they began to worry when they saw his behavior on the road.

“My parents would come to shows and see me drunk and overeating and stuff, and they’d be scared of the way I was living,” he told People. “They were worried I’d have a heart attack or a stroke.”

Smith also shared that he’s faced these challenges throughout most of his life, with things worsening over the years as depression set in and drinking became a way to cope.

“I knew I was hurting myself, but I couldn’t stop,” he said. “It was like looking at this mountain and wondering, ‘How do I get up there?’ I didn’t even know where to start.”

In 2024, Smith began making small but consistent changes by cutting back on alcohol, increasing his protein intake, and monitoring his calorie consumption. Within four months, he went from 280 pounds to 225.

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“I’m not out of the woods yet, but (expletive) if I ain’t happy how far I’ve come!” he wrote in an Instagram post.

“I’m happier and more confident. It’s changed the way I perform onstage. I have a lot more energy,” Smith said.

“I think that the physical stuff has really affected my mental health in a positive way,” he added. “It’s a concept I heard a million times. ‘You gotta love yourself before you love someone else,’ but it’s kinda true. Because I’m not so insecure about myself, it’s helped me be more present. And it’s changed the way I can love people.”