Billboard-Charting Music Artist Drops Out of Tour Midway: ‘I'm Deeply Struggling Right Now'
Lauv, whose real name is Ari Leff, is known for his breakout hit "I Like Me Better." This popular song from his 2018 album spent six months on the Billboard Hot 100. It was also used in the trailer for the film To All the Boys I've Loved Before, in an Android app commercial, and as background music during Miss Universe 2018.
Lauv, 31, has been on the It's Always Summer Somewhere Tour with Khalid. However, he recently announced that he is going to be leaving the tour midway through.
In a statement he released on June 3, he said, "I've been trying to be strong enough to get back out there and share this music with all of you - but I have to be honest with myself and with all of you: I'm deeply struggling right now, and I need to step away for a little while to take care of my mental health. I am so sorry to my fans, to Khalid, and to everyone affected by this. You all mean everything to me."
He continued, "My struggles with mental health have never been a secret - they're woven into pretty much every song I've ever made. If being open about this right now helps even one person look at their feelings and try to address what's going on, then hopefully something good will come from it."
Lauv has been open about his mental health struggles throughout his career and has donated proceeds from his songs to different mental health organizations. He also started the project, My Blue Thoughts, in 2016, which allows fans to anonymously share their thoughts and anxieties so they know they aren't alone with their struggles.
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The singer ended his recent Instagram post with, "I'll do everything I can to get healthy, get back into a creative place, and get back to doing what I love best. This. Music. Thank you all for understanding and for sending me love all these years. And thank you to everyone who's ever been a friend and a supporter."
The It's Always Summer Somewhere Tour started on May 16 and is scheduled until June 26. Lauv has already performed in 10 of the shows.
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This story was originally published June 4, 2026 at 4:09 AM.