Famous Entertainers Who Had to Overcome Stage Fright
Lights...camera... crippling anxiety? You'd never guess it from their dazzling stage presence, but some of the most iconic entertainers battled intense stage fright. It's a reminder that even superstars with incredible talent can feel those jitters.Imagine stepping on stage - heart racing, nerves jangling, thousands of eyes staring at you. That fear? It's something many beloved performers know all too well. Some managed it with special routines, others used breathing techniques, and a few still get a touch of the butterflies every time.
The Top Ten
1 Barbra Streisand
Her legendary voice and acting prowess belie a deep struggle with stage fright. After a traumatic incident where she forgot her lyrics mid-performance, Streisand battled anxiety for years, using teleprompters and sometimes even medication to manage her fear.
Her legendary voice and acting prowess belie a deep struggle with stage fright. After a traumatic incident where she forgot her lyrics mid-performance, Streisand battled anxiety for years, using teleprompters and sometimes even medication to manage her fear.
2 Michael Jackson
The King of Pop, known for his electrifying stage presence, confessed to suffering from stage fright. His perfectionism and immense fame may have contributed to his performance anxiety, which he managed through intense rehearsals and sheer determination.
The King of Pop, known for his electrifying stage presence, confessed to suffering from stage fright. His perfectionism and immense fame may have contributed to his performance anxiety, which he managed through intense rehearsals and sheer determination.
3 Elvis Presley
The King of Rock and Roll might seem like the picture of onstage confidence, but Elvis grappled with intense stage fright. He'd often experience shaking legs and nervous movements that became part of his signature performance style.
The King of Rock and Roll might seem like the picture of onstage confidence, but Elvis grappled with intense stage fright. He'd often experience shaking legs and nervous movements that became part of his signature performance style.
4 Beyoncé
Known for her fierce performances, even Queen Bey had to overcome stage fright. She developed an alter-ego, Sasha Fierce, to help project an air of unyielding confidence when the spotlight was on her.
Known for her fierce performances, even Queen Bey had to overcome stage fright. She developed an alter-ego, Sasha Fierce, to help project an air of unyielding confidence when the spotlight was on her.
5 Mariah Carey
Despite her incredible vocal range, Mariah Carey has opened up about her struggles with stage fright. She's shared experiences of feeling paralyzed by fear in the moments before a performance.
Despite her incredible vocal range, Mariah Carey has opened up about her struggles with stage fright. She's shared experiences of feeling paralyzed by fear in the moments before a performance.
6 Laurence Olivier
Considered one of the greatest stage actors of the 20th century, Laurence Olivier surprisingly suffered from crippling stage fright throughout his career. However, his masterful talent and dedication made him push through and deliver unforgettable performances.
Considered one of the greatest stage actors of the 20th century, Laurence Olivier surprisingly suffered from crippling stage fright throughout his career. However, his masterful talent and dedication made him push through and deliver unforgettable performances.
7 Jenny Lind
The "Swedish Nightingale", known for her powerful voice in the 1800s, dealt with crippling stage fright early in her career. As her fame grew, she found ways to manage her fear, becoming one of the most celebrated opera singers of her time.
8 Jean Eugène Robert-Houdin
A legendary French magician who's considered a father of modern magic, Jean Eugène Robert-Houdin battled intense stage fright. He overcame it using carefully crafted performances and meticulous preparation to mask his inner turmoil.
9 Chris Rock
Christopher Julius Rock III is an American comedian, actor, writer, producer, and director. After working as a standup comic and appearing in small film roles, Rock came to wider prominence as a cast member of Saturday Night Live in the early 1990s.
Christopher Julius Rock III is an American comedian, actor, writer, producer, and director. After working as a standup comic and appearing in small film roles, Rock came to wider prominence as a cast member of Saturday Night Live in the early 1990s.
10 Daniel Radcliffe
Best known for his role as Harry Potter, Daniel Radcliffe admitted to experiencing stage fright. He used relaxation techniques and channeled his nervousness into his performances to overcome his fears.
Best known for his role as Harry Potter, Daniel Radcliffe admitted to experiencing stage fright. He used relaxation techniques and channeled his nervousness into his performances to overcome his fears.The Contenders
11 Dolly Parton
Dolly Rebecca Parton is an American singer-songwriter, actress, author, businesswoman, and humanitarian, known primarily for her work in country music.
Dolly Rebecca Parton is an American singer-songwriter, actress, author, businesswoman, and humanitarian, known primarily for her work in country music.
12 Enrico Caruso
Enrico Caruso was an Italian operatic tenor. He sang to great acclaim at the major opera houses of Europe and the Americas, appearing in a wide variety of roles from the Italian and French repertoires that ranged from the lyric to the dramatic.
Enrico Caruso was an Italian operatic tenor. He sang to great acclaim at the major opera houses of Europe and the Americas, appearing in a wide variety of roles from the Italian and French repertoires that ranged from the lyric to the dramatic.
13 B.B. King
Riley B. "B.B." King was an American blues singer, electric guitarist, songwriter, and record producer.
Riley B. "B.B." King was an American blues singer, electric guitarist, songwriter, and record producer.
14 Liza Minnelli
The iconic singer and actress inherited some of her mother Judy Garland's talent, but also her struggles with stage fright. It's a testament to her strength that she continues to perform and dazzle audiences despite her anxiety.
The iconic singer and actress inherited some of her mother Judy Garland's talent, but also her struggles with stage fright. It's a testament to her strength that she continues to perform and dazzle audiences despite her anxiety.
15 Sophia Loren
Sophia Loren is an Italian former film actress and singer. Encouraged to enroll in acting lessons after entering a beauty pageant, Loren began her film career in 1950 at age 15. She appeared in several bit parts and minor roles in the early part of the decade, until her five-picture contract with Paramount... read more
Sophia Loren is an Italian former film actress and singer. Encouraged to enroll in acting lessons after entering a beauty pageant, Loren began her film career in 1950 at age 15. She appeared in several bit parts and minor roles in the early part of the decade, until her five-picture contract with Paramount... read more
16 Michael Douglas
Michael Kirk Douglas (born September 25, 1944) is an American actor and producer. His career includes a diverse range of films in both independent and blockbuster genres, for which he has received a number of accolades both competitive and honorary.
Michael Kirk Douglas (born September 25, 1944) is an American actor and producer. His career includes a diverse range of films in both independent and blockbuster genres, for which he has received a number of accolades both competitive and honorary.
17 Scarlett Johansson
Scarlett Johansson (born November 22, 1984) is an American actress, model, and singer. She made her film debut in North.
Johansson is considered one of Hollywood's modern sex symbols, and has frequently appeared in published lists of the sexiest women in the world. As of February 2017, she is... read more
Scarlett Johansson (born November 22, 1984) is an American actress, model, and singer. She made her film debut in North.Johansson is considered one of Hollywood's modern sex symbols, and has frequently appeared in published lists of the sexiest women in the world. As of February 2017, she is... read more
18 Dorothy Dandridge
19 Martin Short
20 Kim Basinger
Kimila Ann Basinger is an American actress, singer and former fashion model. Following a successful modeling career in New York during the 1970s, Basinger moved to Los Angeles where she began her acting career on television in 1976.
Kimila Ann Basinger is an American actress, singer and former fashion model. Following a successful modeling career in New York during the 1970s, Basinger moved to Los Angeles where she began her acting career on television in 1976.
21 Johnny Carson
John William "Johnny" Carson was an American television host, comedian, writer, producer, actor, and musician, best known for his 30 years as host of The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson.
John William "Johnny" Carson was an American television host, comedian, writer, producer, actor, and musician, best known for his 30 years as host of The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson.
22 Paula Abdul
Paula Julie Abdul is an American singer-songwriter, dancer, choreographer, actress and television personality.
Paula Julie Abdul is an American singer-songwriter, dancer, choreographer, actress and television personality.
23 Carol Burnett
Carol Creighton Burnett is an American actress, comedian, singer, and writer, whose career spans nearly seven decades of television.
Carol Creighton Burnett is an American actress, comedian, singer, and writer, whose career spans nearly seven decades of television.
24 Natalie Wood
Natalie Wood, born Natalie Zacharenko (July 20, 1938 – November 28 or 29, 1981) was an American film and television actress. She is best known for her role opposite James Dean in Rebel Without a Cause and as Maria in West Side Story. But the American icon remains infamously known for the circumstances... read more
Natalie Wood, born Natalie Zacharenko (July 20, 1938 – November 28 or 29, 1981) was an American film and television actress. She is best known for her role opposite James Dean in Rebel Without a Cause and as Maria in West Side Story. But the American icon remains infamously known for the circumstances... read more
25 Tatiana Troyanos
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