The pressures of fame dimmed Ariana Grande’s eternal sunshine.
The star of Wicked: For Good recently opened up about the challenges of being incredibly famous, saying that nothing can truly prepare you for the impact of widespread recognition.
Ariana recently told The New York Times that she used to struggle with getting around, and it took away a lot of her happiness. She shared this in an interview published on November 5th.
The 32-year-old has been in the public eye for over a decade, ever since first becoming famous as a teen on Victorious and then achieving success as a musician. Throughout that time, she’s dealt with a lot of attention on her personal life – including her relationship with Wicked co-star Ethan Slater – and has confidently responded to negative comments about her appearance and clarified misleading stories about her career.
Ariana has pointed out a strange irony: achieving your dreams can sometimes feel unsettling or even risky.
Nevertheless, these days, Ariana’s feeling better than ever about her craft.
The singer explained she’s feeling more connected to and inspired by her art than ever before, which she considers a wonderful gift. She realized she doesn’t have to live up to other people’s expectations and can instead focus solely on her creative work, but she had to allow herself to believe that was okay.
Having reinvented her artistic approach, she has several exciting projects planned, including a 2024 tour to support her album, Eternal Sunshine. She’s also taking on acting roles in a movie based on Dr. Seuss’s Oh, the Places You’ll Go! and a new installment in the Meet the Parents series.
Despite being happier now, Ariana Grande has faced some challenges recently. She announced on November 4th that she would miss the Brazil premiere of Wicked: For Good alongside her co-stars, Cynthia Erivo and Jonathan Bailey.
Ariana Grande shared on Instagram November 3rd that her flight to Brazil had to turn back a few hours into the journey. She explained that the plane needed urgent maintenance because of a safety concern, and she was incredibly upset about the situation.
Shortly after announcing her absence from the premiere, she made a plea to her fans.
I did everything possible, and I’m truly heartbroken about this,” the singer shared on Instagram. “Even if you’re feeling frustrated or let down, please don’t wish harm on us or think we didn’t do our best to fix things.
Keep reading to see more celebrities who have opened up about their mental health struggles.
Rapper Radric Davis, known professionally as Gucci Mane, shared in his 2025 book, Episodes: The Diary of a Recovering Mad Man, that he was diagnosed with both schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. He explained that these diagnoses led to a mental health crisis in 2020.
He explained on The Breakfast Club that the experience made him realize he needed to prioritize his health and take responsibility for himself. He said he never wants to go through something similar again and is committed to seeing a therapist, and will even consider medication if necessary.
Gucci Mane shared that he hoped being open about his struggles would help others. He also said his children, Ice Davis and Iceland Davis, along with his wife Keyshia Ka’Oir, motivated him to get help when he was going through a difficult time.
He explained that his wife was expecting their son, and he was worried about the impact raising a family would have on his mental health. He feared a severe mental health episode that he might not recover from, so he proactively began addressing his well-being and seeking professional support.
The former star of Gossip Girl recently shared his struggles with body image, explaining that he experienced what he called “body dysmorphia” as a young actor.
In an April 2025 interview with The Guardian, Penn shared that they deeply disliked their body and wished they had a different one.
Honestly, it was tough seeing him struggle after his parents split. He explained it to me like this: after battling depression and really isolating himself, he felt pressured to focus on his appearance. It felt like a weird combination of him actively trying to change things and also being pushed to do so, because he believed looking ‘conventionally beautiful’ would open doors and make him feel more worthy. It was like his value was tied to how he looked, and he was trying to navigate that pressure.
Despite the mental struggles, though, Penn credited his ability to persist to his spirituality.
You know, going through tough times and feeling lost is something we all experience. What helped me get through it wasn’t just pushing forward, but really taking the time to process everything and come out on the other side feeling changed – like I’d actually grown from the experience. It’s about letting those challenges shape you into a better version of yourself.
The Scrubs alum has been vocal about her past difficult relationship with food.
She described her struggles with food, saying, “Some people might label it an eating disorder, but it’s just how I lived my life.” On the The Funny Thing Is podcast, she admitted that food was her main coping mechanism and that she engaged in extreme behaviors related to it.
She added, “I would over-exercise, and there was a sprinkle of bulimia in there.”
Despite admitting she finds it hard to stick to a diet, she’s also been open about the positive steps she’s making towards better health and fitness.
In 2017, she told Bon Appétit that at age 23, she completely changed her lifestyle by eliminating sugar, stopping alcohol, and starting yoga, breathing exercises, and stretching. She described this combination as being more effective than the drug Ritalin.
She explained that, like many actresses, she struggles with food and body image. She’s actively working on improving her mental and physical health by focusing on a healthy diet and natural wellness practices.
The Full House alum reflected on her mental health journey and navigating her battle with depression.
It’s honestly so hard to talk about, even with the people I trust the most. I’ve realized, for me at least, that I put so much pressure on myself to be strong and handle things, and then when I can’t, it feels like a real failure. It’s like, I should be able to just power through, and admitting I’m struggling feels…weak. I shared this on the Candace Cameron Bure Podcast, and it’s something I’ve been thinking about a lot.
The Grammy-winning artist often talks about protecting her mental wellbeing, like blocking negativity online, and she also offers guidance to others who are struggling.
When asked for mental health advice, she told Vogue that the most important thing is patience. She emphasized being patient with yourself, resisting impulsive decisions, and allowing time to pass. She believes that difficult feelings will eventually lessen with time.
As a lifestyle expert, I’ve been watching how everyone’s navigated the challenges of social distancing during the pandemic, and it’s been inspiring to see people adapt. But it’s also so important to acknowledge the real stress these situations create. Even someone as publicly positive as Katy Perry, the artist behind ‘Firework,’ has been open about how tough it can be. It’s a good reminder that it’s okay to not be okay, even while trying to stay positive.
In a recent tweet, Katy shared her struggles with the challenges of the pandemic, saying it’s hard to know whether the virus itself or the resulting feelings of depression are more difficult. She explained that she often finds refuge in her car, using it as a safe space since there aren’t many other places to go.
As someone passionate about well-being, I was really moved by a recent conversation with a model who’s partnering with Kenneth Cole to support The Mental Health Coalition. She bravely opened up on Good Morning America about her own struggles with anxiety, and I think it’s so important to share those experiences to help others feel less alone. It’s a reminder that even those who seem to have it all together can face these challenges, and seeking help is a sign of strength.
After her panic attacks started happening again, she was finally able to find the information she needed to understand them.
Kendall shared that she experiences a mix of good and anxious days, which is why she was drawn to this cause. Her goal is to help people feel less isolated and alone.
Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson, known for playing Black Adam, has publicly discussed his struggles with depression and the challenges men often face when trying to discuss their mental well-being.
Everyone experiences difficult times and struggles with depression – it doesn’t care who you are. It took me a while to understand this, but the most important thing is to not be afraid to talk about what you’re going through. Men, especially, often keep their feelings bottled up, but remember, you’re not alone.
Prince Harry helped reduce the shame around getting mental health support when he discussed his own experiences with therapy in an interview with the Telegraph. He explained that talking about his struggles made him realize many other people go through similar things, saying, “Once you start talking about it, you realize you’re part of a big community.”
The actress from Empire is a strong advocate for seeking therapy, having publicly discussed her own battles with depression. She’s shared that talking to a therapist is essential for her well-being, stating, “That’s the only way I can get through it.”
Taraji P. Henson founded The Boris Lawrence Henson Foundation to fight the stigma surrounding mental health within the Black community and to expand access to Black mental health professionals.
As a long-time admirer, I was really moved to learn more about what led her to explore MDMA and psilocybin therapy. She shared that dealing with an eating disorder and crippling stage fright ultimately prompted her to seek out this type of PTSD treatment, and I think it speaks volumes about her courage and willingness to heal.
Honestly, it was incredible. I was on tour, and for the first time ever, I wasn’t scared on stage. It was like… this energy just grabbed me, this intense feeling in my whole body. And I looked out at the crowd, and everyone felt it too! Like the air pressure shifted or something. It hit me then – I don’t just like making music, I need that raw, physical connection with people. That’s when I really feel alive, you know? It’s everything.
She explained that prioritizing her mental health and stopping birth control helped her develop a broader understanding of her gender identity.
She explained that she decided to stop taking birth control because it felt like a break from societal expectations of womanhood. It might sound unusual, but she felt liberated and like she could explore new possibilities by stepping outside of those traditional roles. She believed this freedom allowed her to grow and discover more about herself.
In 2017, the actress from Riverdale shared on Instagram that she battled with serious anxiety and depression in middle school, and that support from her family and a therapist was life-saving. She emphasized the importance of reaching out for help, saying it’s the first step, and that everyone has incredible worth.
As someone who’s spent years navigating anxiety and OCD, I’ve learned a lot about what life is really like when you’re dealing with these challenges. I’m opening up about my experiences, sharing what it’s been like behind the scenes, and hoping to offer some insight for others who might be going through something similar. It’s been a journey, and I want to be honest about what it’s entailed.
Carly shared on the August 2025 episode of Bunnie Xo’s Dumb Blonde podcast that her anxiety began during her divorce, which happened during the Covid pandemic. However, she also revealed she’s struggled with severe OCD since childhood.
Over the past decade, I learned to suppress my feelings and cope on my own. Eventually, a couple of years ago, I realized I needed to return to therapy and start understanding what was going on. It wasn’t something that started recently; I’ve actually been dealing with obsessive-compulsive disorder since I was a child, around 6 or 7 years old.
The actress known for Frozen has openly discussed her mental health strategies for years, sharing them in public speeches and on social media like Instagram.
She encourages people to discover what works best for them, and, as she shared with Health magazine, this could involve things like medication, consciously focusing on ten positive aspects of life for every negative thought, and regular exercise.
The cookbook author is a mother of four and has openly discussed her experiences with postpartum depression, a condition many new mothers face but often feel unable to talk about.
She explained in a 2017 letter to Glamour that it became simpler to talk about her experience each time. Her hope was to show others that anyone can go through something similar and to help those who are struggling feel less ashamed and isolated.
I was really touched reading an interview with the model in The Edit about her new book, Mirror, Mirror. She bravely shared that she struggled with depression and even suicidal thoughts as a teenager, describing a really difficult period where she felt like there was ‘something dark’ inside her. It’s so powerful that she’s opening up about this.
Cara shared with the publication, as reported by W magazine, that she used to depend on love and other people for her happiness. She realized she needed to learn how to find joy within herself. ‘It took me a long time,’ she said, ‘but now I’m able to be happy on my own.’
Ariana Grande encouraged fans to prioritize their mental health after responding to a joke on Twitter about her own therapy. She shared that therapy has been life-saving for her on multiple occasions.
She encouraged me not to be afraid to ask for help. You don’t have to live with constant pain, and it is possible to heal from trauma. She acknowledged she had a long way to go, but said simply recognizing that healing is possible is a good first step.
The singer has publicly shared her struggles and recovery related to addiction and mental health, and she often explores these experiences in her songs.
She consistently encourages her followers to prioritize their mental wellbeing, emphasizing that it’s a continuous effort with inevitable setbacks. She previously shared on Instagram, “Just a reminder for anyone who’s having a hard time – life has its highs and lows, but it’s important to keep going.”
The actress has openly discussed mental health both in her work, like her portrayal of Rue in the show Euphoria, and in her personal life.
Zendaya revealed in 2013, through her old app, that she experienced anxiety following a TV appearance on Ellen when her microphone malfunctioned. She’s since found healthy ways to cope with those feelings, explaining that it’s sometimes necessary to take a break to reduce stress.
In a recent interview with WSJ Magazine, the singer openly shared her experiences with mental health, explaining that she experienced extreme emotional swings – periods of great elation followed by weeks of debilitating lows.
Okay, so she finally said it – she’s been struggling with her mental health, which, honestly, I always suspected. But the best part? She found the right meds! She said it’s totally changed her life, and honestly, just hearing that makes my day. I’m so incredibly happy for her; it’s like everything I’ve ever wished for her is finally happening!
The Grammy-winning artist dedicated herself to promoting kindness and openly discussing mental health, sharing her own experiences as well.
She shared that she’d kept her struggles with mental health private for a long time, but ultimately believes that being open about these things is essential for healing. She said this while accepting the Global Changemakers Award at a 2018 fundraiser for Children Mending Hearts.
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2025-11-05 20:19