Orville Peck Discusses Addiction, Career Fears and New Album in Guardian Interview

Orville Peck, the masked and pseudonymous country singer known for chart-topping albums and collaborations with major artists, said in an interview with The Guardian that he once feared his struggles with addiction and mental health would cost him his career, according to the publication.

The interview, tied to the release of what Peck described as his best album yet, touched on a recent moment during a promotional tour in London. According to The Guardian, Peck was preparing for a soundcheck ahead of an intimate performance at Rough Trade East in late August when he learned that Dolly Parton, whom he has cited as an idol, had died.

Peck told the audience at the venue that he was “a little bit of a mess” before addressing the loss directly, the report said. “Dolly was my hero,” he said, according to The Guardian, adding that as a gay man entering the country music genre, Parton’s presence had made him feel less alone. “It made me feel like I had a friend there,” he said.

Peck then performed Parton’s song “I Will Always Love You” for the crowd, the outlet reported, choosing to process the news publicly rather than postpone the show.

The Guardian noted that Peck has achieved a No. 1 album and recorded duets with well-known artists during his career, but said his personal struggles with addiction and mental health had at times threatened that success. Further details of his account, including specifics about his recovery and the making of his new album, were part of the broader interview published by The Guardian.