After a decade of silence, Grammy-winning singer Duffy made her long-awaited return to the public eye on March 25, 2025. The 40-year-old artist shared a video on TikTok, where she lip-synced to her hit song “Mercy,” radiating joy as she performed the lyrics, “You got me begging you for mercy.” Duffy’s playful wink at the camera marked a strikingly upbeat moment in her return, signaling a hopeful new chapter for the Welsh singer.
This video, promoting a new UK Garage remix of “Mercy” by e.motion, served as a lighthearted moment for Duffy’s fans. Her caption, “Some of you asked if Duffy was really doing a UK Garage remix with us…” was a clear sign that the artist was ready to re-enter the music scene and embrace a fresh creative direction.
Duffy’s return is particularly significant in light of the personal challenges she has faced in recent years. In 2020, she bravely shared a deeply emotional Instagram post detailing the traumatic experience that led her to step away from her music career. She revealed that she had been abducted, drugged, and raped in a foreign country, where she was held captive for several days. Though Duffy chose not to name her attacker, she opened up about the emotional toll the experience had on her life and career.
In February 2020, Duffy wrote an essay in which she described how this trauma had affected her ability to create and perform music. She expressed, “Many of you wonder what happened to me, where did I disappear to and why? The truth is, and please trust me I am ok and safe now, I was raped and drugged and held captive over some days.”
The impact of this life-altering event led Duffy to take a step back from the public eye as she processed her emotions and began her healing journey. In her own words, she reflected on how her broken heart made it difficult for her to sing from a place of authenticity: “How can I sing from the heart if it is broken?” Over time, Duffy found the strength to speak out about her experience, reclaim her sense of self, and gradually return to her music.
While Duffy has been mindful of her privacy, she made another appearance on social media in 2024, sharing an uplifting message with her followers. She encouraged people to find contentment within themselves, emphasizing that true happiness comes from within and cannot be defined by external factors.
Duffy’s TikTok appearance is a powerful reminder of her resilience and her ongoing journey of healing. It signals not only a return to the music scene but also a testament to her strength and determination. Fans around the world are excited to see what the future holds for the once-elusive artist as she embarks on this new chapter.
For those in need of confidential support, the National Sexual Assault Hotline is available at 1-800-656-4673 or visit RAINN.org.