Kerry Katona has spoken out against the 'double standard' in the entertainment industry as she notes the differences in how she is treated to Ant McPartlin.
The former Atomic Kitten star opened up about her thoughts about her treatment in the industry during an interview to promote her memoir Whole Again - Love, Life and Me: My Story.
The 42-year-old discussed how her mental health struggles are portrayed, as Kerry claims she is "judged massively differently" because she's a woman and because of her upbringing, reports the Mirror.
The mother of five said there is a double standard in the industry and compared her treatment to the way Ant, 46, was treated for his addiction and mental health struggles. Speaking to Greatest Hits Radio host Jackie Brambles, Kerry said she "applauds" Ant's recovery from addiction, with her adding that the TV presenter is "doing amazing".
She added: "Ant had his own issues, when he crashed his car [in 2018] it was a big, big story yet eight months later he's winning awards and it's all forgotten about".
Kerry, 42, suggested that she hasn't necessarily been able to get rid of her association with substance abuse though, saying one incident is still talked about to this day. The former popstar, who has been open about her struggles with addiction and mental health, said on the radio: "How many years later (from my This Morning interview where I was accused of being drunk on air) and we're still talking about it with me."
Kerry said she's "put in a box" because she's a woman, a mother and didn't go to Sylvia Young Theatre School. She also said growing up on a council estate has affected her portrayal. She added: "I feel like I've been a beacon, got the beating for a lot of people but that is how women in this industry get treated."
Kerry has spoken in the past about being "ridiculed" over her This Morning interview from 2008. The star was accused of being drunk or on drugs as her speech was "slurred".
She has however continually asserted that it was due to her medication. She reiterated on GB News earlier this year: "My speech was really slurred due to my bipolar medication".
"I'll admit I've done drugs, I'll admit I've drank. I've done all that. I've been clean 13 years. I have no reason to lie," she further commented during the interview with the broadcaster.
Ant has also battled with addiction in the past, including problems with prescription medication and alcohol. He pleaded guilty to drink driving following a car crash in March 2018.
The incident, where Ant was found to be twice the legal limit when he crashed, led to a four-year-old child being hospitalised. He was fined £86,000 and banned from driving for 20 months.
He apologised for his behaviour in a statement at the time, saying he was "ashamed and mortified". Ant said he had "problems with alcohol and emotional issues".
Ant checked into a rehab facility shortly after the incident, with a spokesperson saying at the time that he would "step down" from work commitments to seek treatment. Amid his recovery, he was absent from TV projects for the rest of the year.
This included being replaced on I'm a Celebrity by Holly Willoughby, 41, and a series of Saturday Night Takeaway being scrapped for 2019. Ant however returned to work alongside his presenting partner Declan Donnelly, 47, on Britain's Got Talent in 2019.
Listen to Kerry Katona speak to Jackie Brambles on the Greatest Hits Radio app and website. Head to greatesthitsradio.co.uk for more.
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