{"id":28127,"date":"2023-09-06T09:26:45","date_gmt":"2023-09-06T13:26:45","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/idolchatter\/?p=28127"},"modified":"2023-09-11T12:30:58","modified_gmt":"2023-09-11T16:30:58","slug":"viral-sensation-oliver-anthony-credits-his-faith-for-turning-his-life-around","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.beliefnet.com\/columnists\/idolchatter\/2023\/09\/viral-sensation-oliver-anthony-credits-his-faith-for-turning-his-life-around.html","title":{"rendered":"Viral Sensation Oliver Anthony Credits His Faith For Turning His Life Around"},"content":{"rendered":"
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In a new interview, rising star Oliver Anthony said he thought he might die last year from his body shutting down from years of stress and hoped his music would last beyond him. He said that years of depression and anxiety contributed to constant brain fog and chest pains that left him scared for his life.<\/p>\n

Now, after the viral sensation \u201cRich Men North of Richmond\u201d and the discovery of his other music, he\u2019s soared to the top of the charts, becoming an icon for the working class that feels left behind and beaten down by Washington politicians. He told <\/a>The Free Press, <\/em>\u201cI was feeling like my body was starting to fall apart, and it got to a point where I was questioning how much longer I\u2019d be able to be around and sing these songs and do this stuff, so I was like, \u2018Well, let me just go ahead and start getting everything uploaded, so at least if, God forbid, I die of a heart attack in my thirties, there\u2019s some legacy there.\u201d<\/p>\n

Anthony\u2019s song, viewed over 45 million times on YouTube alone, laments working-class ills like being unable to get ahead, greedy politicians, substance abuse, and the suicide epidemic. The song has become a sensation, prompting emotional response videos, testimonials from all walks of life, and an influx of media coverage analyzing why his song has touched on blue-collar life in a meaningful way.<\/p>\n

As a result, Anthony\u2019s other music has been discovered and become popular. He\u2019s been open about past drug and alcohol use and credited his turn to faith for helping him turn his life around. The 31-year-old farmer said he started drinking and using marijuana in his 20s, and it was challenging to embrace his Christian faith because he linked religion with the politicians he describes as hypocrites. Now, he prays before recording songs and opened a concert with a reading from the book of Psalms.<\/p>\n