The new Taylor Swift documentary, Miss Americana, reveals her struggles with hate, shame, anxiety, and an eating disorder that made her as thin as a size two. It’s clear that even celebrities face the same human issues as everyone else.
Anxiety is becoming a common topic in daily conversations about mental health, affecting celebrities, too. The Mental Health Foundation survey indicates about three million people suffer from anxiety.
Taylor Swift, who is now 30, has faced public scrutiny from a young age, being criticized for being ‘too annoying’, ‘too skinny’, or even ‘looking pregnant’. Her new documentary, directed by Lana Wilson, premiered on January 23 at the Sundance Film Festival, where she shared that she hid from the public for a year, thinking it was what people wanted.
Even someone as confident as Swift, with numerous awards to her name, can feel the need to withdraw. In Miss Americana, she discusses her constant struggle for respect and how she had to dismantle an ‘entire belief system’ imposed by others who expected her to fit a ‘good girl’ image.
The pressure to be perfect led to self-destructive behavior, including severe dieting that almost made her faint during performances. Her documentary sheds light on how maintaining a polished image took a toll on her well-being.
While introducing the song ‘Out of the Woods’, Swift explained the fragile nature of her past relationship and her fears about its longevity. Her lack of confidence in the relationship’s stability made her anxious about its future.
The documentary will be available in selected theaters and on Netflix starting January 31.
Actress Sienna Miller, known for her roles in Stardust and Layer Cake, has avoided social media for over two years due to the anxiety it causes her. With the increasing number of celebrities speaking out about anxiety, it’s clear that these disorders are common irrespective of fame.
According to Anxiety UK, about 10 percent of the UK population will experience an anxiety disorder at some point in their lives. A survey in Great Britain found that one in six adults had experienced some form of neurotic health problem recently.
Model Kendall Jenner has been vocal about her anxiety through interviews, social media, and Keeping Up with the Kardashians. From being scouted as a model in her teens to facing terrifying abuse, she has had her share of struggles. Jenner filed her second restraining order in 2017 against a man who had been fixated on her since she was three. She revealed on the show in 2016 that she was dealing with anxiety, panic attacks, and sleep paralysis.
Sleep paralysis, where a person is conscious but unable to move or speak upon waking or falling asleep, can be frightening despite usually lasting only a few minutes. Around 8 percent of the population has experienced it.
Singer Adele, who rose to fame at 20, admitted in 2011 she avoided performing live due to anxiety. Despite ongoing panic attacks, she performs with the help of her alter ego, Sasha Carter, inspired by Beyoncé’s Sasha Fierce and June Carter.
Actress Kristen Bell, who voices Princess Anna in Disney’s Frozen, is an advocate for mental health. She’s been openly discussing her anxiety and depression, sharing her experiences and coping strategies with fans. Inspired by her husband, Dax Sheppard, who has been sober for 14 years, Bell uses her platform to destigmatize mental health issues.
Ryan Reynolds, known for his role as Deadpool, has also been candid about his anxiety. He stays in character during interviews and on set to cope with it. His anxious nature, possibly stemming from his relationship with his father, has shaped who he is today.
Actress Gina Rodriguez, star of Jane the Virgin, has opened up about her panic attacks and suicidal thoughts. Struggling with a thyroid condition that causes weight gain, she uses her platform on social media to discuss mental health and body positivity, aiming to challenge the stigma, especially within the Latino community.
