Blake Fielder-Civil Opens Up: He and Amy Winehouse Were Phone-Hacking Victims

Unveiling the hidden pressures behind fame, Blake Fielder-Civil reveals how phone hacking deepened their struggles and reshaped their story.

When you think of Amy Winehouse, her soulful voice and tragic story immediately come to mind. But behind the headlines and iconic music was a life shadowed by relentless media intrusion. Blake Fielder-Civil, Amy’s ex-husband, recently stepped out of the shadows to share a revealing piece of their past — that both of them were victims of phone hacking during their time together.

Facing the Media Storm: More Than Just Paparazzi

If you’ve ever wondered what it was like living under the constant gaze of the media spotlight, Blake’s perspective delivers a raw, personal glimpse. Speaking on the We Need To Talk podcast with Paul C Brunson, Blake reflected on how the media frenzy wasn’t just a nuisance — it was invasive to the point of intrusion.

“It was so strange waking up and knowing that there’s a hundred people outside waiting to take a photo of you sneezing or looking a bit bedraggled so that they could say horrible things about you,” he shared.

This relentless scrutiny wasn’t just about flashing cameras; it brought a darker reality. Blake revealed that their phones were hacked, a claim that even led to police interviews years ago regarding possible phone tapping. The idea of strangers eavesdropping on their private conversations is chilling — especially when you consider how vulnerable Amy was during those years.

The Documentary and Biopic: A More Compassionate Portrayal

If you’ve seen the 2015 documentary Amy or the 2024 biopic Back To Black, you might have an idea of how Blake was portrayed. But according to him, neither film depicted him as the villain he was often made out to be in the media.

He described Back To Black as “therapeutic” and said it gave him a “more accurate representation.” This is a crucial point because, throughout their relationship, Blake felt misrepresented and demonized. The films helped set the record straight, providing a nuanced look at their complicated bond without casting blame unfairly.

Bonding Under Pressure: Drugs as a “Safety Net”

The media pressure wasn’t just a background noise; it deeply affected their lives. Blake explained that the constant intrusion actually strengthened their connection — but in a way that also fed the addiction spiral they were caught in.

“The fact that outside our window there were people trying to tear us down, as we saw it, made our bond stronger,” Blake said. “Add drugs into that and it did get to that daily addiction scale quite easily and quite quickly. And it was like, ‘This is our safety net.’”

It’s heartbreaking but humanizing to hear him describe how drugs became a refuge amid the chaos — a flawed but understandable “safety net” when everything else felt under siege.

Blake Fielder-Civil and Amy Winehouse shared moments of fame and struggle, caught between love and public scrutiny.

Revisiting Loss: Blake’s Reflection on Amy’s Death

Amy Winehouse’s death on July 23, 2011, at age 27 remains a tragic milestone in music history. Blake, who was serving a prison sentence at HMP Leeds at the time for burglary, recalls the moment he was told the devastating news.

“My first thought was that it would be a hoax. I burst into tears. It was the only comfort I had at that moment for losing this massive, huge part of my life,” he revealed.

Their marriage, from 2007 to 2009, was marked by intense highs and lows, and Blake’s memories carry the weight of loss and reflection.

Addiction: A Shared but Complex Journey

There’s often been speculation on how their relationship intertwined with substance use. Blake made it clear that Amy’s struggles began before they met, noting her early cocaine use. While admitting he introduced her to heroin, he emphasized Amy’s agency in her choices.

“Amy herself had agency, and that is in no way at all disrespecting her by saying that, but Amy did what she wanted to do, and even knowing the drinking had started to hurt her, she carried on.”

This perspective challenges the simplistic narratives that place sole blame on their relationship, acknowledging the complex reality of addiction and personal choices.

Defending Their Story: Pushing Back on Misconceptions

Back in 2015, Blake strongly rejected claims that he was responsible for Amy’s downfall. Speaking to The Times Magazine, he said:

“I don’t think I ruined her, no. I think we found each other and certain people need to realise that she did have other addictions before she met me. She wasn’t a happy, well-adjusted young woman… and I find it disrespectful to imply I was some Machiavellian puppet master.”

It’s refreshing to hear this candid honesty, separating blame and acknowledging the painful reality of Amy’s struggles beyond their relationship.

Staying Out of the Spotlight, But Not Silent

Though Blake has mostly avoided the glare of public attention in recent years, he hasn’t been completely silent. In 2018, he openly criticized plans to revive Amy’s image through a hologram tour, calling it a “moneymaking gimmick” on Good Morning Britain. He argued:

“The idea that it’s anything remotely like Amy to me is misleading. It’s old footage. It can’t be anything new. It won’t be her interactions. It’s not going to be the same.”

He stood firm against attempts to commercialize Amy’s legacy in a way that felt inauthentic to him and many fans.

Looking Back on Their Time Together

As Amy would have turned 40 in September 2023, Blake took a moment to reflect on their relationship and his own struggles.

“I was a 20-something-year-old drug addict and I had no idea how to make myself clean, let alone somebody else,” he said. “I wasn’t going into that with an intention of this happening. I don’t think anyone that loved Amy, her family or her friends, would ever think that this is what I would have wanted. Equally, I think that they would’ve said Amy wouldn’t have wanted me to have taken the burden for the last 10-plus years.”

It’s a somber and heartfelt confession that paints a picture of two deeply flawed but very human souls trying to navigate love and pain.

FAQ

• How did Blake Fielder-Civil describe the media attention on Amy Winehouse?
  He said it was overwhelming, with hundreds waiting outside to catch her off guard and spread negativity.
• Were Blake and Amy victims of phone hacking?
  Yes, Blake claimed their phones were hacked, and he was even interviewed by police about possible phone tapping.
• Did Blake feel misrepresented in the films about Amy?
  No, he found the documentary Amy and the biopic Back To Black to be more accurate and therapeutic portrayals.
• What was Blake’s stance on the hologram tour of Amy?
  He criticized it as a money-making gimmick that didn’t reflect the real Amy.
• Did Blake blame himself for Amy’s struggles?
  He denied that he ruined her, emphasizing Amy had other addictions before they met and that she made her own choices.

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