They walk red carpets but secretly fight the same battles you do.
You’d never guess it from their flawless photos or confident interviews, but some of the most famous faces you know are secretly fighting off panic behind the scenes. You scroll past their glamorous vacations, red carpet moments, and perfect smiles and assume they’ve got life handled better than the rest of us. But anxiety doesn’t care about status, money, or millions of followers. It shows up in green rooms, movie sets, and even private jets. And it hits hard.
The wildest part? You might relate to them more than you think. Fame doesn’t come with immunity to the racing thoughts, sleepless nights, or overwhelming dread that anxiety brings. In fact, for many, the spotlight makes it worse. You’ll probably never see their darkest days on social media—but they’ve had them. And instead of crumbling under the pressure, they’ve figured out ways to cope, heal, and keep going. If they can talk about it, you can too. And their stories might just change how you see your own.
1. Ryan Reynolds admits anxiety is his lifelong sidekick—and he jokes his way through it.
You might think the guy who plays Deadpool lives on confidence and sarcasm alone, but Ryan Reynolds has been super open about how deeply anxiety has shaped his life, according to the authors at Spyscape. He’s described it as a constant hum in the background, sometimes ramping up right before a big appearance or performance. One of his biggest coping tools? Humor. He leans into comedy, not just for his audience, but as a shield and strategy to manage the nerves. That dry wit isn’t just talent—it’s therapy in disguise. He’s also credited mindfulness and support from his wife, Blake Lively, as grounding forces.
What’s cool is that he doesn’t try to pretend he’s “cured” or has it all figured out. He talks about anxiety as something you carry, not something you beat, and that honesty feels refreshing. It reminds you that even the funniest, most successful people are fighting private battles—and that laughter can be a surprisingly powerful form of resilience.
2. Adele says her anxiety nearly ended her career—but therapy helped her stay in the game.
When Adele took a long break from performing, fans thought she was just recharging or writing new music. But behind the scenes, she was battling anxiety so intense it made her dread stepping on stage, as reported by the authors at ITV. She’s talked about how panic attacks and fear of judgment nearly derailed her entire career. For someone with such a powerhouse voice, it’s shocking to hear that stage fright could have shut it all down. But she didn’t stay silent about it. Instead, she got help. Therapy became a big part of her healing, along with setting firm boundaries around fame and performance. S
he even credits consistent routines—like exercise and focusing on her son—with keeping her grounded. When she returned to the stage, it wasn’t just a comeback—it was a quiet victory over something a lot of people deal with silently. Her story proves that you can be wildly talented and still terrified—and that healing is absolutely possible.
3. Emma Stone says anxiety’s been with her since childhood—but acting gives her a release.
You’d never guess it watching her light up a screen, but Emma Stone has dealt with anxiety since she was a little kid, as stated by Terry Gross at NPR. She’s said it showed up as full-blown panic attacks, so intense that it was hard to function. Instead of avoiding the spotlight, she actually ran straight into it—and acting became her escape. That sounds backward, but for her, becoming a character gave her a break from her own thoughts. It was a way to feel in control, even when her mind was spinning. She also talks a lot about therapy, journaling, and learning to recognize the signs when things are starting to spiral.
What’s so relatable about her story is that she doesn’t pretend to have some perfect, buttoned-up life. She’s open about how anxiety shaped her, how it still shows up, and how she’s constantly working on it. That kind of honesty is a relief in a world full of curated perfection.
4. Shawn Mendes reveals anxiety made him question his entire career—and therapy saved it.
Pop stardom doesn’t come with an instruction manual, and Shawn Mendes found that out the hard way. As his fame skyrocketed, so did his anxiety—and it got bad enough that he started wondering if he could even handle being in the spotlight. He’s talked about how his mind would spiral with worst-case scenarios, leaving him exhausted and second-guessing everything. What helped? Getting vulnerable. He started seeing a therapist and leaned into meditation, journaling, and slowing down.
He even canceled tours to prioritize his mental health, which sparked headlines but also opened up a conversation about how performers don’t have to burn out to be successful. Shawn’s story is powerful because it shows that stopping to take care of yourself isn’t weakness—it’s strength. And when someone that famous can be that real about needing help, it gives you permission to take your own struggles seriously, too.
5. Lady Gaga says her anxiety and PTSD are real—and her fans help her fight it.
Lady Gaga may be known for her fearless style and bold performances, but behind that confidence is someone who’s been through serious trauma. She’s opened up about living with both anxiety and PTSD, stemming from experiences she kept hidden for years. What’s remarkable is how she turned her pain into purpose. Through her Born This Way Foundation, she’s created spaces for young people to talk openly about mental health—and she leads by example. She’s said that practicing kindness, staying creative, and leaning on her fan community have helped her keep going.
Medication and therapy are also part of her toolbox, and she’s unapologetic about using them. Gaga’s not here to sugarcoat things—she’s here to remind you that struggling doesn’t make you broken. Her vulnerability isn’t just inspiring—it’s empowering. She’s proof that you can be strong, expressive, wildly talented—and still working through some really tough stuff. And that’s what makes her feel so real.
6. Michael Phelps battled anxiety and depression quietly—until he couldn’t anymore.
He’s the most decorated Olympian in history, but Michael Phelps has said that winning medals didn’t silence the noise in his head. In fact, he’s admitted that his anxiety and depression nearly drove him to a breaking point. For a long time, he didn’t talk about it—he just pushed it down and kept training. But eventually, it caught up to him. What changed? He started speaking out. He got help, started therapy, and became a vocal advocate for mental health in the world of sports.
These days, he’s not just known for his swimming records—he’s also a powerful voice for athletes struggling behind the scenes. His story reminds you that high performance doesn’t cancel out emotional pain. You can look like you’ve got it all together and still be quietly falling apart. And reaching out for help? That can be the strongest move of all.
7. Kristen Bell openly shares how medication helps her manage anxiety and depression.
Kristen Bell doesn’t just play upbeat characters—she lives with anxiety and depression, and she’s not shy about it. In fact, she’s one of the few celebrities who’s gone public about using antidepressants, and she’s totally unapologetic. She’s talked about how mental illness runs in her family, and for her, medication is like wearing glasses—you wouldn’t judge someone for needing those, right? What’s refreshing is that she’s never tried to sound like a “mental health guru.”
She’s just honest about what works for her: therapy, support from her husband Dax Shepard, regular exercise, and yes, meds. Her approach is straightforward, stigma-smashing, and totally relatable. Kristen isn’t trying to act like she’s got all the answers—she just knows that pretending everything’s fine doesn’t help anyone. And by being real, she’s giving a lot of people permission to be honest about what they’re dealing with too.
8. Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson says anxiety doesn’t care how tough you look.
When you think of The Rock, you probably picture muscles, charisma, and confidence. But Dwayne Johnson has admitted that even he isn’t immune to anxiety and depression. After facing personal loss and career setbacks early on, he went through a period where he felt completely alone and overwhelmed. The hardest part? Admitting it. In interviews, he’s said that for a long time, he didn’t even have the words to describe what he was feeling. But once he started opening up, it changed everything—not just for him, but for his fans.
He’s now an advocate for mental health, especially for men who feel like they have to “man up” instead of speak out. The Rock’s honesty hits hard because it comes from someone who’s known for being strong. And it proves that real strength isn’t about pretending nothing affects you—it’s about having the courage to admit when something does.
9. Selena Gomez turned her mental health battle into a global mission.
Selena Gomez hasn’t just talked about anxiety—she’s put her entire brand behind mental health awareness. After years of struggling silently, she hit a breaking point that led to therapy, time off, and a deep dive into her emotional well-being. Instead of brushing it off, she leaned in and got real.
She’s shared her diagnosis of bipolar disorder, opened up about panic attacks and dark days, and even launched the Rare Impact Fund to bring mental health resources to young people. Selena doesn’t sugarcoat it. She talks about the hard stuff—like feeling scared to ask for help or feeling overwhelmed by her own mind. But she also talks about healing and the freedom that comes from finally being honest with yourself. Her transparency makes you feel less alone. She’s a reminder that you can be vulnerable and powerful at the same time—and that’s something a lot of us need to see more of.
10. Trevor Noah reveals how childhood trauma shaped his lifelong anxiety.
Trevor Noah is known for his sharp wit and insightful takes on global issues, but what you might not know is that he’s carried anxiety with him since childhood. Growing up in apartheid-era South Africa, he experienced poverty, instability, and violence—and that kind of environment leaves a mark. In interviews and in his memoir, Born a Crime, he shares how those early experiences shaped his view of the world and contributed to a deep sense of unease he’s had to manage as an adult.
Trevor has said that routine, reflection, and creative expression are what help him stay balanced. Comedy, for him, isn’t just a career—it’s a form of self-regulation. He’s not about pretending he’s “cured.” He’s about managing, learning, and staying aware of what he needs. And when someone who’s been through that much can still find humor in life? That’s its own kind of strength.
11. Oprah Winfrey quietly battled anxiety while building her empire.
You don’t often hear Oprah talking about panic attacks—but she’s had them. In fact, she’s admitted that during the peak of her career, when the entire world saw her as the picture of power and control, she was privately grappling with anxiety. She didn’t even realize what it was at first—she just knew she was short of breath, dizzy, and overwhelmed.
Once she finally named it, things started to shift. Oprah’s healing came through a mix of therapy, spiritual practices, journaling, and setting boundaries like a pro. Her story is powerful because it reminds you that even the most “together” people can be fighting invisible battles. And the tools she uses aren’t flashy—they’re accessible, grounded, and real. Oprah doesn’t try to be superhuman. She tries to be self-aware. And that’s probably one of the biggest reasons she’s still standing strong, even after decades in the spotlight.
12. Billie Eilish uses honesty—and boundaries—to keep her anxiety in check.
Billie Eilish became famous while still a teenager, and with that came a crushing wave of pressure, judgment, and public scrutiny. She’s said that anxiety has been with her for years, made worse by the intensity of fame. But instead of pretending to be fine, she’s always been upfront about it. In interviews and on social media, she talks openly about her mental health, and that vulnerability has made a huge impact on fans. Billie doesn’t try to fix it all—she focuses on managing it. She prioritizes sleep, sets limits with the media, and keeps her circle tight.
She even built her touring schedule around mental wellness, which is basically unheard of in the music industry. What’s cool about Billie is how fiercely she protects her peace. She’s proof that you don’t have to sacrifice yourself to succeed. You can draw lines, speak up, and still crush it—on your own terms.