Taylor Swift’s new documentary, “Miss Americana,” has got everyone talking. In it, she openly discusses her struggles with hate, shame, anxiety, and an eating disorder that once made her shrink to a size two. It’s a big reminder that celebrities are just like us—they struggle too.
Anxiety isn’t exactly breaking news, as more people are now talking about it, including famous folks. A survey by the Mental Health Foundation shows that about three million people suffer from anxiety, according to the latest Psychiatric Morbidity Survey.
Several influential celebrities deal with anxiety and panic attacks, and you might find some of them surprising. We all know Taylor Swift has faced a ton of public scrutiny over the years, whether for being “too annoying,” “too skinny,” or even for pregnancy rumors. But how has it affected her?
In “Miss Americana,” she shares that she spent an entire year out of the public eye because she thought that’s what people wanted. We get it—sometimes you just want to hide from everything. For someone who seems so confident and has a shelf full of awards, it’s surprising to see how much she struggled. Swift always felt pressured to be the “good girl,” a role she had to perform to meet everyone’s expectations.
This pressure led to extreme measures, including starvation to maintain her appearance, which affected her during live performances. Thankfully, the documentary sheds light on the true impact of these expectations.
When introducing the song “Out of the Woods,” Swift mentioned her constant fear that her romantic relationship would collapse at any moment. She worried about when things would go wrong, and it significantly shook her confidence.
“Miss Americana” will be shown in select theaters and available on Netflix starting January 31st.
Sienna Miller, famous for roles in “Stardust” and “Layer Cake,” recently revealed in an interview that she hasn’t engaged with social media in over two years due to the anxiety it brings her.
When celebrities talk about anxiety, it can be easy to dismiss their experiences as trendy. But anxiety and depression are widespread. According to Anxiety UK, about 10 percent of the UK population will face an anxiety disorder at some point. In fact, a study found that one in six adults reported experiencing a neurotic health problem in the past week.
Kendall Jenner has been open about her ongoing battles with anxiety, panic attacks, and sleep paralysis, even sharing her struggles on “Keeping Up with the Kardashians.” These experiences have been truly harrowing for her, including filing restraining orders against stalkers. Jenner’s fear of sleep due to sleep paralysis has significantly contributed to her anxiety.
Singer Adele struggled with anxiety during live performances early in her career. She avoided festivals and arenas due to panic attacks. But she credits her alter ego, Sasha Carter (a mix of Beyoncé’s Sasha Fierce and June Carter), with helping her conquer these fears. A chance meeting with Beyoncé, who praised her voice, inspired this persona.
Kristen Bell is another celebrity who has openly discussed her struggles with anxiety. She has worked with the Child Mind Institute and even wrote an open letter for TIME to address the stigma of mental health. She frequently engages with fans on social media, sharing her coping strategies and advocating for mental health awareness. Her husband, Dax Shepard, inspired her openness with his sobriety journey.
Ryan Reynolds may be known for his comedic roles, especially as Deadpool, but he has been candid about his lifelong battle with anxiety. He often stays in character during stressful situations to manage his anxiety, a habit stemming from his childhood relationship with his father. Despite these challenges, Reynolds appreciates how his past shaped him.
Gina Rodriguez, star of “Jane the Virgin,” has also opened up about having panic attacks and suicidal thoughts. While filming the final season of her show, she experienced severe anxiety that affected the production. She uses her platform to combat mental health stigma, especially within the Latino community, and has discussed her struggles with body image due to a thyroid condition.
Anxiety is a common issue, affecting many people, including the celebrities we admire. Their openness helps reduce stigma and encourages others to seek help and speak out about their own experiences.