Pop Scars cover art

Pop Scars

A memoir on fame, addiction and the dark side of 90s pop

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Pop Scars

By: Anthony Kavanagh
Narrated by: Anthony Kavanagh
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About this listen

The shocking, tell-all memoir from '90s popstar and heart-throb formerly known as Kavana

Born in Manchester in 1977, Anthony Kavanagh's rise to fame was stratospheric, scoring a record deal at the age of just eighteen and winning the much-coveted Smash Hits Male Artist of the Year Award in 1997, all the while achieving top ten hits, appearing on countless magazine covers, performing on Top of the Pops and gigging alongside the Spice Girls. The stuff that dreams are made of.

But Anthony - or Kavana as he came to be known - was also trying to keep his sexuality a secret while navigating his way through an industry where image was everything; where his success depended on him having to be exactly who he wasn't.

What followed was a dark and dangerous spiral into addiction, an illness that would insidiously follow and baffle him for years to come. Pop Scars is a story told with fearless honesty that's at times as funny as it is heartbreaking, chronicling the highs, the lows, the self-destruction and the chaos of hitting rock bottom and then finding out that rock bottom has a basement.

Thirty years on, Anthony is ready to tell his jaw-dropping story. Pop Scars is a book about teenage stardom, fame, addiction, grief and - ultimately - survival and sobriety.

©2025 Anthony Kavanagh (P)2025 Bonnier Books UK
Entertainment & Celebrities Mental Health Music Psychology Psychology & Mental Health Funny Heartfelt Memoir Emotionally Gripping Feel-Good Inspiring Thought-Provoking Witty

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All stars
Most relevant
What a fascinating life Kavana has had, full of huge ups and downs. He doesn’t shy away from talking about the difficult things he went through or mistakes he made. I found it nostalgic too as I was a teenager in the 90s.

He comes across as relatable and kind, and I’m rooting for him in his sobriety and whatever comes next in his career.

I wish he’d do a Pop Scars podcast and interview other pop icons so they could compare their experiences in the industry.

Honest and funny

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As a nursing student who's hoping to work in addictions, the story of trauma, adversity and return to form was excellent. Sincerely hope Anthony has every success in future both personally and professionally.

Raw, honest, and a cautionary tale

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I thoroughly enjoy listening to autobiographies, more so when they’re read by the author,
I remember Kavana so well from my younger days.
He did indeed stand out for not only being incredibly good looking, but for having a beautiful voice.
Listening to his book , he’s got a great sense of humour, but it’s so sad he wasn’t able to be himself, this was obviously the reason alcohol helped him cope .
There shouldn’t have to be any big coming out , love is love , but even today stars are often discouraged from disclosing their sexuality.
Anthony has been through so much , addiction, trauma, major loss , many disappointments , but his natural ability to have that glorious Northern sense of humour sets him apart from others.
Plus he can still sing , that in itself is a gift .
Having a gay child myself, I applaud his honesty, his battles with alcoholism , I pray he is able to know his self worth and stay off the evil alcohol .
I think he’s determined, he’s turning his life around.
Remember if you should ever read this, you’ve brought joy to the world.
You deserve happiness, peace and a wonderful life .

Honesty, humour and pain from a beautiful human being.

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An honest account of the highs and lows. Very funny at times and made better by being read by the author

Really enjoyed this!

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Really heartfelt story which was made better by being read by the author himself!

I remember kav being a teen in the 90s but i knew nothing of his struggles so sad to hear what hes battled through and how it lead to his addictions and heart ache

Def worth a listen and his lovely northern tones made it a really easy listen sometimes i turn books off as i cant deal with the voice!

I hope this book continues to thrive and bring recognition to the struggles Anthony faced, i also hope he continues to heal and finds peace and happiness

Easy to listen to loved it being read by anthony himself

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