Confronting Fears: Celebrities Who Overcame Their Phobias
Many individuals experience fears and phobias that significantly affect their daily lives. Overcoming these fears can be essential for personal growth and freedom. Here are some notable figures who have faced their fears head-on to reclaim control over their lives.
Jennifer Aniston
Jennifer Aniston struggled with a severe fear of flying, intensified by an emergency landing incident. Previously reliant on superstitious rituals before boarding, she turned to hypnotherapy to conquer her anxiety. “I have been doing some hypnosis lately, and one of the requirements is to remove all of those superstitions,” she told Travel + Leisure. Now, she finds comfort in meditation during flights.
DJ Khaled
DJ Khaled’s fear of flying began after a distressing experience on a small plane in the late 2000s. For years, he traveled only by car and bus. However, the birth of his son Asahd motivated him to overcome this fear. “I kept saying, ‘My son goes on a plane. Why am I not on a plane?’” he shared with Forbes, noting that this realization made him fearless.
Daisy Ridley
Daisy Ridley overcame her fear of open water to portray ocean-swimmer Gertrude “Trudy” Ederle in Young Woman and the Sea. With professional support and her passion for the project, she faced her fear. “I don’t like the open water… I knew I would mentally be able to overcome it even though it was difficult,” she told People.
The Weeknd
The Weeknd, also known as Abel Tesfaye, once suffered from severe stage fright. As his career progressed, the fear diminished, bolstered by the support of his fans. “Now, when I step out at the American Music Awards or on Saturday Night Live, I have fans,” he told Billboard in 2016.
Andrea Bocelli
Andrea Bocelli experienced intense stage fright, characterized by “vicious palpitations” and “unmanageable anxiety.” Meeting Maestro Pavarotti helped him realize that his anxiety stemmed from imperfect technique. “Today, thanks to the technical awareness which I have attained through a lot of effort… I don’t have that kind of anxiety anymore,” he shared in Andrea Bocelli: Because I Believe.
Donny Osmond
Donny Osmond faced social anxiety, particularly in public spaces like malls. With therapy, he gradually overcame his fears by engaging in social activities that once terrified him. In his book, Life Is Just What You Make It, he explained, “Public places like malls always frightened me because so many people were there.” He learned to manage his anxiety and even laugh along with others.
Nate Berkus
Surviving the 2004 tsunami left Nate Berkus with a fear of the ocean. Unable to enjoy the water with his children, he gradually overcame this fear by living near the water in New York. His husband, Jeremiah Brent, praised Nate’s strength on Instagram, noting how he “broke the chain of fear” to enjoy the ocean once more.
Travis Barker
After surviving a plane crash, Travis Barker dealt with PTSD and a deep fear of flying. With support from his wife, Kourtney Kardashian, he took his first flight in 2021. “She just knew, and she stuck by me and toughed it out,” he told GQ. Despite ongoing challenges, he continues to fly and work through his fears.
