Why Cara Delevingne Says Sex Is "Difficult” Amid Sobriety Journey

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Cara Delevingne is getting candid about the unexpected impact of her sobriety.

The supermodel admitted that her sex life has taken a surprising turn since getting sober in 2022 following her struggle with drug addiction.

"Sex sober after all of that is definitely difficult,” Delevingne told Playboy in an interview published July 14 for their summer 2026 issue. “It changes, but it's so much deeper and so much more emotional.”

“I used to put a higher value on sex and validation from people,” she added. “I used to think, ‘Oh, I’m a pervert. I’m a really horny person.’ But I think [I was] seeking love and validation through sex."

But these days, the former Victoria’s Secret angel, who has been dating girlfriend Minke since 2022, is exploring her sexuality in a way that fills her own cup.

“Sex is a language, too, and your own sexuality, what turns you on, is like a beautiful dance you play with yourself,” she explained. “So many people spend so much more time on how they want to be perceived by others, and not their own sexual relationship with themselves—loving yourself and turning yourself on.”

And getting in touch with her body has made intimacy that much more enjoyable, adding, “It’s fun when you can discover that.”

The 33-year-old has also discovered love since embarking on her sobriety journey, sharing how her girlfriend of four years fits just right into her new lifestyle.

Photo by Stephane Cardinale - Corbis/Corbis via Getty Images

“She’s a normie. I mean, she’s not sober, but she has a drink,” Delevingne said. “We’re very different. I can’t date someone like myself, ever—I come with a lot of stuff.”

“She’s the most incredible person I know,” she continued. “We’re best friends, obviously, lovers, and everything else, but I’ve never had a relationship like it and felt so close to someone and felt so seen.”

As for what’s helped Delevingne stay on the path of sobriety over the last few years? Well, that would be the power of people.

“Even when I go out, people want to talk to me about their own sobriety, and it saved my life. It’s no small thing,” she said. “It’s not like talking about my eyebrows.”

She continued, “It’s not for everyone, but I don’t know one person who has had a period of sobriety, whether it’s because a parent died or they needed to really process something, that [sobriety] hasn’t helped.”

For more stars who have opened up about their sobriety journeys, read on…

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