The Taylor Swift documentary, Miss Americana, has got people talking as she opens up about dealing with hate, shame, anxiety, and an eating disorder that made her drop to a size two. Recognizing that celebrities are human just like us is increasingly common, especially as more people discuss mental health. According to the Mental Health Foundation, about three million people reportedly suffer from anxiety.
Taylor Swift, now 30, has faced a significant amount of public criticism since she was young, whether it was about being ‘too annoying’ or ‘too skinny.’ The impact of this on her life is something she explores in the documentary. She shares how, at one point, she isolated herself for a year because she thought that’s what people wanted.
Surprisingly, despite her confidence and numerous awards, Swift also struggled with anxiety, particularly around maintaining her image as a ‘good girl,’ which was expected by industry executives. The pressure to be seen as perfect pushed her to unhealthy extremes, including starving herself to avoid criticism during performances.
The anxiety around relationships is also discussed in the film, where Swift talks about fears of instability and feeling inadequate in her personal life. The documentary, Miss Americana, will be available in select theaters and on Netflix from January 31st.
Sienna Miller, known from films like Stardust, revealed she hasn’t engaged with social media for over two years due to anxiety. While some might dismiss celebrity anxiety as just a fad, disorders like anxiety and depression are very real for many people. Statistics show about 10% of the UK population will face an anxiety disorder in their lifetime.
Kendall Jenner has often talked about her anxiety, describing experiences with panic attacks and sleep paralysis. The latter occurs when you’re conscious but unable to move, sometimes leading to hallucinations, though it’s not harmful. Only about 8% of people experience sleep paralysis.
Adele opened up about her fear of live performances due to anxiety. She copes by channeling an alter ego named Sasha Carter, inspired by Beyoncé and June Carter. Kristen Bell also advocates for mental health awareness, discussing her experiences with anxiety and promoting an open dialogue about the subject.
Ryan Reynolds might surprise some as an addition to this list. Known for his quick wit as Deadpool, he uses humor to manage his anxiety, which stems from a challenging relationship with his father. Despite the turmoil of his childhood, he’s grateful for how it shaped him.
Gina Rodriguez from Jane the Virgin has shared her struggles with anxiety and panic attacks. She has used social media to speak out about these issues and aims to reduce the stigma around mental health, especially within the Latino community.
Understanding anxiety and its impacts can help in recognizing its prevalence across various social statuses. It’s heartening to see celebrities opening up and helping others feel less isolated in their struggles.
