Singer and actress Elaine Paige has revealed she developed an addiction to sleeping pills during her extensive theatre career, a habit she managed to break during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Paige, 78, told The Sunday Times magazine that after performances, she would often feel too energized to sleep and relied on the medication to rest. "For many years in the theatre I lived on sleeping pills, otherwise you’re wired until 2am after a show," she stated, describing the dependency as "dreadful."
She likened her struggle to "Judy Garland syndrome" but has since committed to not taking sleeping pills again. Paige now tells herself that she will be able to function the next day even if she experiences a poor night's sleep, and no longer feels the need for afternoon naps.
Beyond her past struggles, Paige has continued to engage with the arts. For the past 21 years, she has hosted "Elaine Paige on Sunday" on BBC Radio 2, a program that allows her to discuss musical theatre and interview figures from the industry. Her latest album, "Miscellaneous Paige," was released in July.
Paige, who was made a Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire (DBE) in June 2025 for her contributions to music and charity, also received a Special Award at the Olivier Awards this year. She rose to prominence after originating the role of Eva Perón in Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice's "Evita" in the West End in 1978, a role that transformed her career. Her other notable stage performances include Grizabella in "Cats," Florence Vassy in "Chess," and Norma Desmond in "Sunset Boulevard."
Paige has also previously spoken about her height, 4ft 11in, being a source of insecurity. She has described feeling overlooked in the acting business due to her stature and a shyness stemming from her childhood experiences. She recalled a headmistress telling her as a girl that she couldn't be a tennis player because she couldn't see over the net, an incident that "crushed" her dream. However, she found a sense of validation in playing Eva Perón, a character whose height was closer to her own. The opening night of "Evita" in 1978, which earned her a nine-minute standing ovation, remains a profoundly significant memory for Paige.