Famous People with Social Anxiety
Celebrities with social anxiety can help to raise awareness and normalize what may otherwise be a stigmatized mental health issue.
Famous people with social anxiety include actors, musicians, and athletes. And many have been outspoken or at least candid about their experiences.
Below is a list of celebrities who (each in their own way) lives with social anxiety.
Nicole Kidman
Actor Nicole Kidman has stated that when on the red carpet, she would panic because of all the cameras, and that her hands would shake and she would have trouble breathing.
So much so that she would need her then-husband Tom Cruise to reassure her that everything would be okay.
In an article in People, it was revealed that Nicole drinks this Organic Matcha green tea throughout the day. Green tea contains L-theanine and has a calming effect on anxiety, so she’s making a very good choice.
Charlie Hunnam
Actor Charlie Hunnam is quoted as saying that he hates going to parties, making small talk, and socializing with people he does not know.
He apparently feels awkward and nervous in those situations and worries all day if he has to go to a party in the evening.
Johnny Depp
Johnny Depp has spoken about the loss of his anonymity, being uncomfortable, and preferring to stay home versus eating out at restaurants because of a preference for not being recognized.
Kim Basinger
Kim Basinger grew up with anxiety about being in public places and developed a habit of staying in her house.
When she came to Hollywood, she hid in baggy clothes out of embarrassment and was passed over during auditions.
She has talked about playing the piano to vent her frustration over her anxiety and agoraphobia.
Barbra Streisand
Barbra Streisand has shared publicly her embarrassment about forgetting the lines to one of her songs and being unable to regain her composure.
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She has also talked about dwelling on negative reviews and having a low sense of self-worth.
Eventually, however, she learned that performing was not about being perfect, and found that when she relaxed a bit she was able to enjoy herself.
She has since learned self-acceptance and to believe that she is enough.
Sally Field
Sally Field has admitted to being very shy and a hermit who has to be dragged out into social situations by her sons or her friends. You can read Sally’s story in her book In Pieces.
Jennifer Lawrence
Actor Jennifer Lawrence reported that when she entered school she developed a type of social anxiety, in that she did not like recess, field trips, or parties, and felt like she did not fit in.
In Harper’s Bazaar, Jennifer discusses her signature perfume, Joy by Dior, which includes the fragrance of sandalwood.
This makes sense since sandalwood is known to help relieve stress and anxiety.
Donny Osmond
Singer Donny Osmond has talked about feeling powerless to overcome his panic attacks related to performance anxiety.
He reported that once fear got a hold of him, he felt like he had lost everything that was familiar and safe. You can read about Donny’s life in his book Life Is Just What You Make It.
Jonathan Knight
Jonathan Knight is known for being the anxious member of the New Kids on the Block.
As the popularity of the group grew, he felt trapped, nervous, and afraid in various performance situations that he was expected to face.
I had a chance encounter and the delight of being within nearly an arm’s reach of Jon at a New Kids on the Block concert. Based on this I can report that his anxiety does not hold him back from making a connection with his fans or giving his all while performing.
You can read more about Jon in the authorized biography of the New Kids on the Block, Five Brothers and a Million Sisters.
Ricky Williams
Ex-NFL football player and Heisman Trophy winner Ricky Williams has described being unable to leave the house and not wanting to go anywhere (e.g., the grocery store, on a date) when he first rose to fame.
He’s also been vocal about his diagnosis of social anxiety disorder in the hopes of helping other men like himself.
Ricky continues to be a spokesperson and speak out about anxiety and how he changed his life. Ricky has a line of CBD products that promote anxiety relief and calmness.
Do you know of any other celebrities with social anxiety? Who is your favorite?
Related Articles About Social Anxiety
- A Letter to the Yankee Fans Who Made Fun of Zack Greinke
- 6 Tips to Manage Performance Anxiety
- How to Overcome Stage Fright
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10 Fascinating Celebrities with Social Anxiety
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