NOW in the News of the World she writes her daughter
a moving open letter, pleading with 24-year-old Amy to come home
and get well again. For the first time ever, Janis pours her heart
out and reveals her deepest fears for Amy's safety...
Dear Amy,
I
HOPE you understand why I'm writing this. We have spoken recently
but many people will wonder why I haven't run down to whatever
hotel you're staying in, scooped you up and taken you home for
a hot bath and a steaming bowl of chicken soup.
It's because your father and I know what you're like, Amy.
We want to help you, but we know that unless you want to be
helped— unless you come to us—anything we tried would be in
vain.
So this letter is my way of making sure that you know that—that
all you have to do is come to us, Amy, and we'll do everything
in our power to get you well again.
After all, you are still my baby and you always will be.
I pile hope upon hope that you will make that decision, Amy,
and your strong will can bend for just a moment to make that
decision and come home to me.
Strong
Even when you were only a rosy-cheeked five-year-old singing
into a hairbrush in front of the mirror, you had a will as stubborn
as a mule. Do you remember?
We couldn't ever get you to see things from any angle other
than your own. You could swear day was night and Heaven help
anyone who tried to disagree.
You were never a wayward daughter but you always had a strong
will and a mind of your own—qualities your father and I were
so proud of.
You were well brought up, you had a keen sense of right from
wrong and you understood the values we always impressed on you
as a family.
But you would never be pressurised or influenced into doing
something if your heart wasn't in it.
I know there's no point in me ringing you, fussing over you
or ordering you to do something. I need you to take that first
step, darling. I need you to call me, to pick up that phone
and tell me what's troubling you.
Your father and I would like nothing more—wherever you are,
whatever you need, we're here for you day and night. I hope
you know that. We were terrified after we saw those pictures
of you earlier this week, wandering the freezing streets of
London at dawn in your underwear. All I wanted to do was rush
into those pictures and wrap you up in a big, warm blanket.
Do you remember those Decembers long ago when I used to swaddle
you in a thick winter coat? I used to wrap you up and give you
a kiss on the nose before you went out to play in the cold.
"Don't worry about me Ma, I'll be fine!" you used to laugh.
But, like any mother, of course I worried. Just as I'm worrying
now.
Because I know that however big, grown-up and successful my
Amy gets, she still needs the love of her Ma.
Do you remember on January 14 this year, when your album got
to number one? Do you remember how overjoyed your father and
I both were? We shed tears of joy for you that night.
And not just because we were delighted for your success, that
you had finally fulfilled that childhood dream of singing your
heart out in front of millions. But also because finally, the
whole country thought our little girl was just as special as
we knew you were.
Some wonderful things have happened since that night, darling,
but also some not so wonderful. Blake, your husband, might not
be my favourite person—you know that, Amy—but he's your choice
and I would never say anything about him to hurt you.
When I was quoted recently as saying "Thank God Blake's inside"
what I meant was that putting him in jail might help him to
clean up HIS act and change HIS life.
It wasn't said out of viciousness or to upset you. If your
relationship is meant to be, it will survive.
I'm a great believer that everything in life happens for a
reason, a purpose. And if you two are destined to be together
forever, then so be it.
But I want you to love Blake for who he is, Amy. Not because
you feel sorry for him, or because he can get you doped up.
Not for any other reason than that you have respect for him.
I completely understand and sympathise with how you feel heartbroken
over your separation and I'd do anything to help you end that
unhappiness.
No mother likes to see her child suffering like that.
Having to cancel your tour, as well, has been very sad. But
I know it's happened for the best.
Despite disappointing all of your fans, who I know you treasure
so much, maybe it will pull you up and make you stop and think
and take stock of where your life is going.
I pray it does. I hope it makes you realise that although you
might be a superstar, you're not superwoman.
Early fame has overwhelmed you, it's dizzied you and muddled
your mind. For a moment, forget you're a superstar. You're also
young and vulnerable. Remember you're just an ordinary human
being, no stronger than any of the rest of us. You think you're
strong enough to get through this on your own, darling, but
you're not.
I want you back, and I'll make you fitter and stronger. I'd
like nothing better than to have you home and help you put on
a bit of weight with some wholesome home cooking.
You're at your happiest in family situations, I remember. It's
part of that strong Jewish tradition you were raised in. Remember
how you spent time with my sister before the gig in Newcastle
the other week? You felt comfortable and at ease. That's how
I know family is important to you.
Destiny
But I can't force you to do something you don't want to. You
have to want it to happen darling, you have to ask for it.
Me and your father, and your brother Alex all want you to be
happy and quickly restored to full health. For the moment, that's
all of our priorities.

We are concerned, but we're not panicking. You've got to see
things in your own time and I'm sure you will.
You are a brilliant talent, of course, and if you get yourself
well, you'll be able to go on and fulfil your destiny.
You're a true professional who thrives on work and you need
to get back into that routine.
We know you don't want to let your fans down. We know how important
they are to you and how once you're over this present setback
you'll give them a show they'll never forget.
You know I'm an optimist, and that I think, with our help,
you will get back on top of things.
But I know you must come to me first for that to happen.
I just hope that, because of this letter, you do. Pick up the
phone.
All my love, Ma