The new Taylor Swift documentary, “Miss Americana,” has got everyone talking. In it, Taylor opens up about the hate, shame, anxiety, and an eating disorder that made her shrink to a size two. Yes, celebrities are human too, just like us.
Nowadays, anxiety is no secret. Many people, including celebrities, are talking openly about their mental health. According to a survey by the Mental Health Foundation, around three million people suffer from anxiety.
Let’s look at Taylor Swift, who has faced a lot of public scrutiny and hatred since she was young. Labels such as “too annoying,” “too skinny,” and even “looking pregnant” have followed her. So, how has this affected her? In her documentary, she admits that she isolated herself for a year because she thought that’s what people wanted from her. This might be surprising since she seems so confident and has numerous awards to her name, but anxiety isn’t something we all show outwardly.
Taylor has spoken about battling anxiety in her career and romantic relationships. She felt she was always fighting for respect and struggled with the idea of being the “good girl,” a view forced upon her by music executives. The pressure to be perfect led her to harmful behaviors, such as starving herself and nearly passing out during performances. It’s a level of desperation no one should have to endure, but she felt compelled to maintain a certain image.
Introducing her song “Out of the Woods,” she describes it as a fragile and tentative piece that reflected her fears about her relationship’s stability. She often worried about when things would fall apart, whether that would be in a month or just a few days.
“Miss Americana” will be available in select theaters and on Netflix from January 31st.
Actress Sienna Miller, in a recent interview, revealed that she has stayed off social media for over two years due to anxiety. It shows how deeply these issues affect celebrities too. Mental health issues like anxiety and depression are very common. According to Anxiety UK, about 10% of the UK population will deal with an anxiety disorder at some point in their lives.
Celebrities like Kendall Jenner have also been open about their struggles with anxiety. From facing horrific abuse to experiencing panic attacks and even sleep paralysis, Kendall has had a tough ride. Sleep paralysis, where you wake up but can’t move or speak, is terrifying and Kendall’s fear of it has worsened her anxiety.
Singer Adele, who rose to fame in her early twenties, has spoken about her anxiety, especially her fear of performing live. She uses her alter ego, Sasha Carter, to get through live performances. Inspired by both Beyoncé and June Carter, Sasha Carter helps her push through her anxiety.
Kristen Bell is another advocate for mental health, often speaking out about her own struggles with anxiety. She encourages others to seek help and breaks down the stigma around mental health by sharing her own experiences, even recommending CBD lotions for relief.
Ryan Reynolds, known for his comedic roles like Deadpool, has also shared his battles with anxiety. He stays in character during filming to manage his fears, attributing some of his humor and success to his difficult childhood.
Gina Rodriguez, from “Jane the Virgin,” has openly discussed her panic attacks and battles with suicidal thoughts. Despite these struggles, she uses social media to shed light on mental health issues, especially within the Latino community. Gina has also dealt with body image issues related to a thyroid condition causing weight gain and fatigue.
In summary, anxiety is a common struggle, even among celebrities. Their openness helps reduce stigma and encourages others to seek help.
