Lacey Sturm recently spoke candidly about the challenges involved in reuniting with Flyleaf in 2022. In an interview featured by Loudwire, she explained the emotional weight that surfaced during the band’s comeback.
When asked what it felt like to reconnect after so many years apart, Sturm acknowledged that the reunion stirred up unresolved feelings and required substantial emotional work from everyone involved, even though their original split had been amicable. “It was difficult. We all have different lives now, we’re different people. And it brought up old things that we didn’t realize we still had never resolved,” Sturm said. “Even though it was an amicable split, there were a lot of things that Flyleaf went through without me that was hard. There were also things that I went through without them around that was hard.”
She noted that the process wasn’t solely about making music together again. “There was this kind of reconciliation process that had to happen in our perspectives about each other,” she explained.
The reunion marked a major turning point for Sturm and for Flyleaf. After a decade apart, both the band and its original vocalist had undergone significant personal and creative changes, which added depth to the emotional challenges of coming back together.
Sturm originally stepped away from Flyleaf in 2012 due to personal and spiritual reasons, as reported by Consequence. Kristen May took over vocal duties, and during Sturm’s time away she established herself as a solo artist and author. Meanwhile, Flyleaf released new music and continued touring with their updated lineup.
Their official reunion was announced in November 2022 with a promotional photo and the caption “Flyleaf with Lacey Sturm.” According to Revolver Magazine, the reunion was framed as a new beginning centered on healing and rebuilding connections rather than reopening old wounds.
Their first major public appearance after reuniting took place at the inaugural Sick New World Festival in Las Vegas in May 2023, followed by additional performances, including a standout show in Belton, Texas, in April 2023. Rock Hard reported that fans responded enthusiastically, embracing the return of the band’s classic lineup.
While difficulties had lingered from their years apart, the tone of the reunion emphasized growth, renewed relationships, and the excitement of making music together again. Sturm’s reflections on reconciliation, creative evolution, and the emotional labor behind the reunion highlight how this chapter represents far more than a simple comeback—it marks a meaningful moment in the continued story of Flyleaf.
