The new Taylor Swift documentary, “Miss Americana,” has gotten people talking as she opens up about dealing with hate, shame, anxiety, and an eating disorder that left her extremely thin. Celebrities face these issues just like everyone else. Anxiety is no longer a secret, as more people discuss mental health openly, including celebrities. A survey by the Mental Health Foundation shows that about three million people suffer from anxiety. Here are seven influential celebrities who struggle with anxiety and panic attacks, some of whom might surprise you.
Thirty-year-old Taylor Swift has faced a lot of public criticism, whether for being ‘too annoying,’ ‘too skinny,’ or even ‘looking pregnant.’ So, how has this affected her? In her new documentary directed by Lana Wilson, which premiered at the Sundance Film Festival, Swift shares that she isolated herself from the public for a year, thinking it’s what people wanted. This is something many can relate to—hiding away from the limelight.
Despite her confident public persona and numerous awards, Swift battled anxiety, particularly while in romantic relationships, feeling she had to constantly fight for respect and conform to being the ‘good girl’ as dictated by others in her industry. This pressure led her to extreme dieting to the point of nearly passing out during performances, a dangerous situation no one should endure. Her effort to maintain appearances took a toll, as detailed in the documentary.
When introducing her song ‘Out of the Woods,’ she shared her constant fear that her past relationships wouldn’t last, wondering how long before it turned into a mess. “Miss Americana” will be available in selected theaters and on Netflix starting January 31st.
Actress Sienna Miller, known for movies like “Stardust” and “Layer Cake,” revealed in an interview with Porter Edit that she has avoided social media for over two years due to the anxiety it caused her. When celebrities open up about anxiety, it’s sometimes dismissed as trendy, but anxiety and depression are widespread, affecting about 10 percent of the UK population at some point. A Great Britain study showed one in six adults experienced a neurotic health problem in the past week.
Many factors contribute to anxiety disorders. Understanding these helps to see how common and widespread anxiety is across different backgrounds.
Model Kendall Jenner has publicly discussed her anxiety on various platforms, including “Keeping up with the Kardashians.” Having been in the spotlight from a young age, she faced severe abuse, including the need to file restraining orders. Jenner’s anxiety included panic attacks and sleep paralysis, with the latter being a terrifying condition where one is conscious but unable to move.
Adele, renowned singer, faced anxiety over performing live, fearing anxiety attacks. She overcame this with her alter ego, Sasha Carter, inspired by Beyoncé.
Kristen Bell, known for her role in “Frozen,” is a prominent advocate for mental health awareness. She has spoken out about anxiety and the stigma around mental illness, encouraging others to seek help and share their stories.
Ryan Reynolds, famous for his role as Deadpool, admitted to struggling with anxiety from a young age, attributing it partly to his relationship with his father. He uses his humor and staying in character as coping mechanisms.
Gina Rodriguez, star of “Jane the Virgin,” has also shared her experiences with anxiety and panic attacks. She sees social media as a tool for breaking stigma and enlightening others about mental health issues, particularly within the Latino community. Rodriguez has also talked about her challenges with body positivity due to a thyroid condition that affects her weight and energy levels.
Understanding how celebrities handle anxiety provides insight and encouragement for others facing similar battles.