Kerry Katona has opened up about her struggle to grieve following the death of her ex-husband, George Kay, who passed away in 2019 from a drug overdose. The former Atomic Kitten star, who is the mother of Kay’s 11-year-old daughter, DJ, revealed that the demands of supporting her five children left her with little time to process her emotions.
In a recent column for OK! magazine, Katona expressed admiration for fellow pop star Cheryl, who has recently resumed work with a new Nivea beauty campaign after the death of her ex-partner, Liam Payne, the father of her eight-year-old son, Bear. Katona praised Cheryl’s return to the spotlight, stating, “It can be tough knowing what to do after losing someone. I’ve been in the position of losing your child’s father, and it’s awful.”
Kerry reflected on her own experience during this challenging time, admitting, “I kept working through that time because I had four other children and no support, so I had no choice. But I do think that meant I didn’t fully grieve or deal with it as I should have.” She noted that Cheryl’s decision to take a step back from work was a wise choice during such a difficult period.
In previous interviews, Katona has spoken candidly about the anger she felt after Kay’s death. She expressed frustration over the impact of his struggles with addiction on their daughter. “George is my baby’s daddy, and she’s never, ever going to see him again, and I’ve got so much anger towards him for that,” she told The Sun newspaper.
Kerry elaborated on the selfishness often associated with addiction, saying, “You become very, very selfish when you have an addiction. You don’t think about other people, and sometimes even your flesh and blood isn’t enough.” She emphasized the loss not only for herself but also for DJ, noting, “He’s going to be missing out on so many wonderful things because that kid is one amazing kid.”
Despite the complicated emotions she navigated, Kerry Katona remains focused on ensuring a positive future for DJ. “I don’t want DJ to have to witness it,” she remarked, reinforcing her commitment to a drug-free life to protect her children from similar experiences.
Katona’s reflections highlight the often-overlooked challenges of grieving while managing parental responsibilities. Her candidness serves as a reminder of the deep emotional impact that loss can have on families, particularly when compounded by issues such as addiction. As both Kerry and Cheryl continue to navigate their paths forward, their stories resonate with many who face similar struggles.
