Fifteen years after Amy Winehouse’s death, the article examines whether the music industry has meaningfully improved how it protects artists’ mental health and wellbeing. It argues that, despite greater public awareness and more visible support initiatives, many of the pressures associated with fame, workload, addiction and exploitation remain entrenched.

The piece places Winehouse’s experience in the context of an industry that can still prioritise commercial demands over sustained care for performers. It suggests that progress depends not only on discussing mental health more openly, but also on changing the structures around artists, including management, touring, media scrutiny and access to independent support.