Entertainment

Sum 41’s Deryck Whibley Looks Healthier Than Ever

by Michelle McGahan

In May 2014, Sum 41 lead singer Deryck Whibley wrote a graphic blog post in which he revealed he almost died from the "hard boozing" he had been doing for years, posting disturbing images of himself lying in a hospital bed stuck with needles and hooked up to tubes. Two years later, Whibley looks healthier than ever in Sum 41's new music video, "Fake My Own Death," the band's first new song since 2012. Despite the irony of the song's title (after reading his real-life blog post and seeing those photos, no one could ever accuse the singer of attempting such a thing), the rocker not only appears to be in good spirits in the video, but he also looks healthy, present, and every ounce the talented badass as he was in those "Fat Lip" days. It's good to see Whibley doing so well.

In his 2014 blog post, titled "Rock Bottom," Whibley described collapsing in his living room and being rushed to the emergency room, so heavily sedated in the hospital for a week he only remembers waking up and being confused to find his dad and stepmom standing over him.

"my liver and kidney’s collapsed on me. needless to say it scared me straight," he wrote. "i finally realized i can’t drink anymore. if i have one drink the docs say i will die."

It was a harrowing experience to say the least, one documented not just on Whibley's blog, but also in photos: In paparazzi shots taken a year before his life-changing hospitalization, the 5'7 singer appeared bloated, particularly in his face. A year later — one week after he shared the blog post — Whibley posted an updated photo of himself on Facebook, this time looking dangerously frail. Needless to say, to see the rocker in such fine form in Sum 41's music video two years later... it's not just relieving, it's celebratory.

Sure, the video itself has a silly premise (the band is literally being chased by memes like Kim Kardashian's Paper magazine cover), but Sum 41 is back in full-force with their distinct pop-punk sound (more heavy on the screamo this time), delivering a demanding song with a vibrant, angry feel. But above all else, it is heartening to see Whibley looking so engaged with the music, giving it his all, and back to his rightful place on stage. Stay healthy.