Julie Roberts Reveals She’s Battling Multiple Sclerosis

It's been nearly five years since Julie Roberts has released new music, leaving many fans speculating about the circumstances behind her hiatus. The 'Break Down Here' singer recently took to her blog to disclose one of the reasons for her absence.

"A circumstance that I was dealing with when recording my second album was I was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis," Julie reveals. "It all started when I was on the road touring for my first album. I'd be in the middle of a show and couldn't hold my microphone anymore. I'd have to switch the microphone between my hands, back and forth to get through a song."

The blond beauty admits that her health troubles shook her confidence, casting a negative shadow on the recording process during her second album. Julie admits to not listening to her sophomore album in more than a year.

"I believe I haven't listened to the 'Men and Mascara' album in over a year because I thought I didn't do a good job with it," says the singer. "As I was recording that record, my mind was on my record, then it would switch to my health, then back to my record."

In addition to her health, Julie faced more hardship when she became one of the countless Nashville residents who lost her home and personal belongings in the floods that ravaged Middle Tennessee in 2010.

Despite her personal setbacks, the singer remains focused on her music. She has since come to love her second album, and offers fans hope for new music in the near future.

"My tentative plan is to have my record ready by Memorial Day weekend to sell at the Charlotte Motor Speedway and on iTunes, of course," says Julie. "If that changes, I will update you, but plan that for now! I am excited and anxious to tell you all the details of the recording of every song."

Fans can read the blog in its entirety here.