Hannah Brown opens up about dealing with sudden fame using alcohol

Hannah Brown’s rise to stardom wasn’t an easy one, as is the case for most Bachelor Nation alums who go from being a top contestant to the lead of one of the shows. As you may recall, we first met Hannah B. when she was a contestant on Colton Underwood’s season of The Bachelor. She was duped during that season after Colton sent her home following a trip to meet his family (it wasn’t even hometowns yet!).

Bachelor Nation fans were livid to see how Hannah Brown’s journey ended on Colton’s season so ABC did what they do best–made her the next Bachelorette!

The journey from contestant to lead was not an easy one, however.

Hannah Brown opens up about her struggles with alcohol

While on The Tamron Hall Show, Brown shared how she turned to alcohol when anxiety over the spotlight became too overwhelming. She mentioned that she had never been a drinker before she was on TV but being on there for a year straight with her life on public display made things very difficult.

“[I] have always lived with a smile on my face and, you know, tried to pretend like everything was OK. But then when I was at home by myself, the only thing that was really giving me comfort was a glass of wine,” said Brown.

In her memoir, God Bless This Mess, she revealed that she would start drinking at 11 AM and wouldn’t really stop. It was a constant thing to numb the pain from everything that was going on around her, namely her controversial breakup with ex-fiance Jed Wyatt. Things got pretty grim after she came to learn of his former relationship, and then got worse when things didn’t work out with Tyler Cameron and Peter Weber, both contestants from her season.

“It was really interesting to see how it goes from one glass of wine, two glasses of wine, three glasses of wine, tequila,” Brown explained last year. “I’ve definitely reassessed how alcohol is a part of my life… You just are not going to find what your heart needs in that. I think just a lot of people, we do that. We kind of fill a void. I was definitely finding myself in that cycle.”

Fortunately, things have changed for the better over the last year or so as she started going to therapy and relied on the emotional support of her family and friends. She’s also been in a healthy relationship with her boyfriend Adam Woolard, who has been instrumental in the growth she’s made since the darker days.

I know people have their opinions about Hannah Brown, but I respect how far she’s come and how open she’s been about her struggles. Being in the spotlight is not something anyone can understand unless they’ve been there, and with the constant ridicule and hate one is exposed to during the journey, it’s difficult not to have a breakdown of some sort.

We hope that Hannah Brown continues to improve and live her best life (and perhaps even get engaged to Adam!) Wouldn’t that just be the sweetest happily ever after?!

We’re proud of you, Hannah Brown!

Have you been following Hannah B.’s journey since she was the Bachelorette? Let us know in the comments below!