Amaia Montero discusses mental health struggles and recovery

Singer Amaia Montero has opened up about the severe mental health struggles she faced during her hiatus from the music industry. In recent interviews, the former lead singer of La Oreja de Van Gogh described her period of isolation as a “descent into hell,” noting that she spent much of her time in bed and struggled to find her sense of self.

Montero attributed much of her emotional distress to the loss of her father, José Montero, who passed away from cancer in 2009. She revealed that her mental state was so precarious that she experienced thoughts of wanting to leave this world. Her struggles culminated in a mental health crisis in 2022, which required hospitalization in a psychiatric center to treat stress and anxiety.

Her return to the spotlight gained momentum in 2024 after performing with Karol G at the Santiago Bernabéu. Montero has since resumed performing with La Oreja de Van Gogh, describing her recovery as a long process of fighting through setbacks to regain her place on stage.