Lucy Hale didn’t come on Jay Shetty’s podcast to announce a milestone. She came to tell the truth about how hard the work is.
That’s why this one’s worth your 15 minutes.
The “Pretty Little Liars” star sat down with Shetty for an On Purpose episode released Sept. 21, 2026, titled “I Was Sabotaging My Life.” The sobriety conversation runs from about 32:14 to 45:45. It’s the most honest stretch of celebrity recovery talk I’ve heard this fall.
The Ease Was the Hook
Hale says she doesn’t remember ever drinking like a normal person.
“I could never get enough of the feeling of just being so at ease.”
If you drank for the relief and not the taste, you know exactly what she means. I spent years chasing that same exhale before May 1, 2006. Twenty years later, I still recognize it the second I hear someone describe it.
She Skipped the Grand Ole Opry for Rehab
Hale woke up from a blackout before a scheduled performance at the Grand Ole Opry. So she called her manager.
“I’m really scared. I don’t want to stop drinking, but I know I have to stop drinking.”
Then she made the call that changed everything: “I went to rehab instead.”
Wanting to stop and being ready to stop are two different things. She said both out loud anyway, and that took guts.
The Date That Stuck
“I got sober at 32. It was January 2nd, 2022.”
Her story shows why I say it every chance I get: getting sober matters. Staying sober matters more. A big moment like canceling the Opry makes the headline, but four and a half years of daily choices is what keeps her sober.
Her Advice Is Three Sentences Long
Asked what she’d tell anyone thinking about sobriety, Hale kept it simple:
“Choose yourself. Find your people. Just keep going.”
I’d frame that and hang it by the front door.
Finding your people is the whole reason BACKSTAGE with The Sober Curator exists. Come find yours.
Listen to this episode on Apple Podcasts
Sources:
- Official episode page and timestamps
- Podscripts transcript
- AOL: Lucy Hale Gets Honest About Alcohol Struggles That Led to Rehab
- Yahoo: Lucy Hale Says She Went to Rehab Instead of Her Grand Ole Opry Debut
- iHeart episode listing
Recovery isn’t the end of the story.
Recovery has been framed as survival. Staying sober as maintenance.
We’re interested in something else.
Not just getting through life — but actually engaging with it.
Identity.
Culture.
Celebration.
Taste.
Expansion.
This is the room where the conversation finally aligns with who you’ve become — and where you’re going next. LEARN MORE AND JOIN TODAY →
SOBER POP CULTURE + CELEBS at The Sober Curator is where mainstream trends meet the vibrant world of sobriety. We serve up a mix of movie, podcast, fashion, and book recommendations alongside alcohol-free cocktails, celebrity features, and pop culture buzz—all with a sober twist.
We’re here to shatter the “sobriety is boring” myth with a mash-up of 80s neon, 90s hip-hop edge, early 2000s bling, and today’s hottest trends. From celebrity shoutouts to red-carpet style inspo, this is where sober is as chic as it is fun. To the celebs using their platform for good—our Sober Pop Trucker hats are off to you!
RECOVERY PODCASTLAND & NETWORK at The Sober Curator is your audio haven for all things sobriety and recovery. We’re your bee-zy sober podcast enthusiasts, curating the best shows that educate, inspire, and entertain in the alcohol-free space.
Our archives are neatly organized so you can easily explore Recovery Podcastland—featuring our favorite recovery-based podcasts from across the globe—and the TSC Podcast Network, where we share our own original shows on sober lifestyle, pop culture, travel, entertainment, and more.
Whether you’re seeking practical recovery tips, personal stories, or uplifting inspiration, this is your go-to listening guide. 🎧 Submit a Podcast for Review: Recovery Podcastland coverage and reviews. Shows that earn their place in our audience’s queue. Submit your podcast →
A Disco Ball is Hundreds of Pieces of Broken Glass, Put Together to Make a Magical Ball of Light. You are NOT Broken, Friend. You are a DISCO BALL!
Resources Are Available
If you or someone you know is experiencing difficulties surrounding alcoholism, addiction, or mental illness, please reach out and ask for help. People everywhere can and want to help; you just have to know where to look. And continue to look until you find what works for you. Click here for a list of regional and national resources.
