The new Taylor Swift documentary, “Miss Americana,” has sparked conversations as she opens up about dealing with negative perceptions, anxiety, and an eating disorder that reduced her to a size two. It’s a reminder that celebrities are human, just like us.
Anxiety is increasingly discussed, and it’s no surprise that celebrities face the same challenges. A survey by the Mental Health Foundation found that around three million people struggle with anxiety.
Here are seven well-known individuals who also deal with anxiety and panic attacks—you might be surprised by some of them.
At 30, Taylor Swift has faced a lot of criticism throughout her career, from being called “too annoying” to being scrutinized for her appearance. In her new documentary, directed by Lana Wilson and premiered at the Sundance Film Festival, Taylor admits that she once disappeared from the public eye for a year because she thought that’s what people wanted from her.
We can all relate to wanting to withdraw from the spotlight. Taylor, who exudes confidence and boasts over twenty-one awards, was not expected to experience this level of anxiety. But anxiety isn’t always visible. In a relationship context, she reveals in the documentary her constant struggle for validation and respect, explaining how she had to rethink her belief system.
Taylor’s perceived pressure to be the “good girl” was heavily influenced by others who insisted nice girls don’t voice strong opinions. This pressure led her to detrimental behaviors, like extreme dieting that caused her to nearly faint during performances.
She felt the need to maintain an image that was expected of her, which eventually affected her deeply, as seen in her documentary. When discussing her song “Out of the Woods,” she talks about the fragility and uncertainty of her previous relationships, always worrying about potential breakups.
Miss Americana starts showing in selected theaters and on Netflix from January 31st.
In a recent interview with Porter Edit magazine, actress Sienna Miller shared that she hasn’t been on social media for over two years due to anxiety. She expressed that she can’t handle the exposure without a lot of stress.
When celebrities speak out about anxiety, it can be easy to dismiss it as a trend. However, anxiety and depression are widespread and affect people from all walks of life. Anxiety UK reports that about 10% of the UK population will experience an anxiety disorder at some point.
A British study also found that one in six adults had faced some neurotic health issue in the past week. Various factors can contribute to anxiety disorders, making it evident how common they are across different demographics.
23-year-old model Kendall Jenner has frequently talked about her struggles with anxiety on “Keeping Up with the Kardashians” and through social media. Having been in the public eye since childhood, she endured unsettling events, such as filing a restraining order against a man who had been obsessed with her since she was three.
On the show in 2016, Kendall shared her fight with anxiety and panic attacks, which also led to sleep paralysis—a frightening experience of being awake but unable to move or speak. Despite its harmlessness, it can last a few minutes and feel much longer, sometimes accompanied by hallucinations. Thankfully, only 8% of the population reportedly experience sleep paralysis.
Opening up about anxiety is challenging, but sharing the journey can help others.
When Adele became famous in 2008 at just 20 years old, she struggled with anxiety about performing live. She feared having panic attacks during shows, but created an alter ego, Sasha Carter, combining influences from Beyoncé and June Carter, to help overcome her fears. Adele was moved by Beyoncé’s compliment about her voice, which gave her confidence.
Kristen Bell, known for voicing Anna in “Frozen,” is an active advocate for mental health awareness. Working with the Child Mind Institute, she addresses the unrealistic expectations placed on celebrities. Kristen has written about her experiences with anxiety, challenging the stigma around mental illness. She regularly shares her coping methods, like using CBD lotion, to help others.
She felt inspired to be candid due in part to her husband, Dax Shepard, who is open about his sobriety.
Ryan Reynolds, known for his role as Deadpool, surprised many by revealing he has dealt with anxiety all his life. His witty persona is partly a way to cope with it. Reynolds attributes some of his anxiety to his challenging relationship with his father but also appreciates the influence it had on his humor.
Gina Rodriguez, the star of “Jane the Virgin,” shared her experiences with panic attacks and suicidal thoughts. She relies on social media to spread awareness about mental health, especially within the Latino community. Gina also speaks openly about body positivity and her struggles with a thyroid condition.
Understanding anxiety’s widespread impact helps highlight the importance of mental health discussions.
