The new Taylor Swift documentary, “Miss Americana,” has everyone talking as she opens up about her struggles with hate, shame, anxiety, and an eating disorder that reduced her to a size two. Yes, celebrities are just as human as the rest of us.
Anxiety isn’t a secret anymore, with more discussions about mental health happening daily, and celebrities are no exception. Around three million people suffer from anxiety, according to a survey by the Mental Health Foundation.
Here are seven influential celebrities who deal with anxiety and panic attacks, some of which might surprise you.
Taylor Swift, now 30, has faced a lot of public hate from a young age, whether it’s being labeled as ‘too annoying,’ ‘too skinny,’ or ‘looking pregnant.’ But how has it all affected her? In her new documentary, directed by Lana Wilson and premiered at the Sundance Film Festival, Swift reveals she disappeared from the public eye for a year because she thought that’s what people wanted.
We all get that feeling of wanting to shut ourselves away from the world. For someone as seemingly confident and successful as Swift, who has won over twenty-one awards, it was unexpected. She had everyone fooled. Anxiety isn’t something you can see. Swift discusses in the film that she often felt she was constantly trying to earn respect, saying, “I had to deconstruct an entire belief system.”
Throughout her career, Swift felt pressured to be the ‘good girl’ by executives who believed ‘nice girls don’t force their opinions on people.’ The fear of not being enough drove her to the point of starving herself and almost passing out during live shows. No woman should go through that. But desperation made her feel the need to be what everyone wanted. This took a toll on her, as shown in her documentary.
When introducing her song “Out of the Woods,” she mentioned it felt fragile and tentative. She constantly worried that her relationship would not last and wondered what would eventually end it. Swift lacked confidence in her relationship’s stability, questioning how long they had before they broke up.
“Miss Americana” will be available in selected theaters and on Netflix starting January 31st.
Actress Sienna Miller, known for her roles in “Stardust” and “Layer Cake,” recently revealed she has avoided social media for over two years because it causes her anxiety. When a celebrity talks about anxiety, it’s easy to dismiss it as trendy. However, anxiety and depression are very common. Anxiety UK reports that about 10 percent of the UK population experiences an anxiety disorder at some point in their life. In a study, one in six adults in Great Britain reported experiencing neurotic health issues the previous week.
A 23-year-old model often discusses her anxiety publicly through interviews and social media. The spotlight from an early age and her career in modeling subjected her to severe abuse. In 2017, she filed her second restraining order against a man who had been obsessed with her since 1998. She admitted to suffering from anxiety, panic attacks, and sleep paralysis, leading to a fear of falling asleep, which worsened her anxiety.
Sleep paralysis occurs when a person is either waking up or falling asleep, leaving them conscious but unable to move or speak for a few minutes. While not harmful, the experience can be terrifying and sometimes includes hallucinations. Thankfully, only 8 percent of the population reports going through sleep paralysis.
When singer Adele became famous in 2008, she was just 20 years old. By 2011, she revealed reluctance to perform live due to anxiety. While she still experiences panic attacks, she has managed them with the help of her alter ego, Sasha Carter, a mix of Beyoncé’s Sasha Fierce and June Carter. Adele credits this persona with changing her life.
Kristen Bell, known for her role as Princess Anna in Disney’s “Frozen,” has actively advocated breaking the illusion of celebrity perfection. She has openly shared her experiences with anxiety, writing an open letter for TIME about stigma. Bell conducts Instagram Q&A sessions about anxiety and shares tips and coping mechanisms, including the use of CBD lotion for pain relief. Her husband, Dax Shepard, inspired her openness, being sober for 14 years.
Ryan Reynolds, famous for his humorous role as Deadpool, revealed his struggles with anxiety, stating it has always been a part of him. Reynolds credits his quick wit and humor to dealing with anxiety, especially due to a complicated relationship with his father.
Gina Rodriguez, known for “Jane the Virgin,” shared her struggles with panic attacks and suicidal thoughts. She recounts a particularly difficult time having a panic attack on set. Despite this, she values the positive role social media has played in her mental health journey, using it to communicate her struggles and fight mental health stigma, especially in the Latino community. She also speaks about her challenges with body acceptance due to a thyroid condition causing weight gain and chronic fatigue. She hopes sharing her experiences will encourage others to take action despite their circumstances.
Anxiety is a common issue, and even celebrities aren’t immune to its effects. Opening up about their journeys helps break the stigma and educate others about mental health.
