Andra Day opened up about her past struggles with addiction, saying she used to have a dependency on sex and porn.
Now that she is in a "healthier place," the Golden Globe winner spoke with InStyle about her past struggles and what inspired her to overcome them.
She credits her starring role in The United States vs. Billie Holiday and admitted she felt compelled to do the legendary jazz singer justice, who she says was hyper-sexualized by white men.
"I didn't want any element of sexualization," said Day. "I had come out of something in my own life — dealing with porn addiction, sex addiction."
The 36-year-old actress didn't mince words about her past habits and attested, "I'm being very, very candid with you because I'm not the only one."
That is why Day worked on ending her addictions, saying "I knew I wanted all of that very much gone" before embodying Billie Holiday.
"I feel now, after playing Billie, that I'm honoring her, and the strength that is femininity," the "Rise Up" singer mused. "I'm definitely in a healthier place to enjoy that because I'm outside of the addiction, if you will."
And while living outside her addictions is "very new" to Day, she adds "it's been really fun."
Day also believes that Holiday's spirit helped influence her decision and allowed her to see her self-worth, adding, "It was almost like she said, 'Sis, we're going to have to close this, because I have to survive.' She opened me up to valuing myself in a way that I hadn't fully before."
Day also commented on what beauty means to her and explained, "It's just about being confident, loving yourself, and understanding your value."