Noah Kahan Details “Complicated” Struggles With Body Dysmorphia

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Noah Kahan is opening up about the great divide he faced with his mental health.

The singer of “Stick Season” recently discussed how his body dysmorphia – a mental health condition where someone constantly worries about their perceived physical flaws – has affected his work. (According to the Mayo Clinic, this condition involves persistent and intrusive thoughts about imperfections.)

“I’m concerned I’ve spent a lot of time disliking myself,” the 29-year-old shared on the April 6th episode of Jay Shetty’s On Purpose podcast. “I often wake up feeling terrible and frustrated. It’s a lovely day—the birds are singing, and it’s beautiful outside, but I still feel awful.”

Despite achieving professional success, he expressed a desire to simply feel content and not be plagued by unexplained sadness. He described a deep loneliness that comes with realizing he’s disconnected from joyful moments.

Noah’s struggle with body image is also a key theme in his upcoming Netflix documentary Out of Body.

He explained that a certain thought or feeling is usually in the background of his mind, but it became much more noticeable while filming the documentary. He said even his mother was surprised when she watched it, admitting she hadn’t realized he felt that way.

It’s like, she had a clue I was struggling, but no idea how deeply it was hitting me. And honestly, watching old stuff of myself? It’s weird. I don’t feel like that person right now, but so much of the time I do, and it’s just… tough. You spend so long pushing things down, locking away all the bad stuff, and then suddenly it’s right there, staring you in the face.

Noah, who got married last September, said it’s difficult for him to discuss this topic because he’s worried about not explaining it well.

He described it as a deeply personal issue, explaining that body dysmorphia is hard to put into words because it’s so connected to your identity and childhood experiences. It’s a really difficult concept to explain briefly.

He added, “It’s complicated, man.”

He’s opened up about his mental health in his song “Shape of My Shadow,” but hasn’t released the complete version yet. He’s shared parts of the lyrics during concerts, and fans have really connected with them.

It’s hard to put into words, but it meant a lot that people I wouldn’t normally hear from—three of them, in fact—reached out after I played that song. They just wanted to say thank you or that they understood what I was going through, and that was incredibly meaningful. It was a really special moment.

For more stars who have opened up about their mental health struggles, read on…

It’s like we’ve all gotten so used to seeing perfect bodies everywhere that we’ve forgotten what real people look like. Honestly, I’m right there with everyone else – I’m struggling with accepting my body, and that’s okay. It’s going to take time, and I’m finally letting myself admit that. I’m not kidding myself – I see the changes, I see I’ve gained weight. But when I look in the mirror, I also see my beautiful baby boy and my amazing little girl, and that makes me so incredibly happy. They’re worth every single change, and I need to remember that.

In February 2020, Leonardo DiCaprio responded to paparazzi photos of him surfing. He explained that he didn’t start taking his shirt off in public until he was in his mid-30s, because years of media criticism about his body had made him self-conscious. He said he now feels good about himself at 37 and isn’t bothered by the paparazzi trying to photograph him, and that he finally loves and accepts himself.

I noticed something really interesting about his style recently! Back in August 2021, he got a tattoo that says ‘Body Love,’ and it’s a clever play on the famous Body Glove logo – a fun way to express self-acceptance, if you ask me.

You know, as someone who’s spent years navigating body image issues – I struggled with bulimia for a long time – I’ve really learned the power of self-acceptance. I remember sharing with my followers back in 2018 that even with things like stretch marks, extra weight, or cellulite – and honestly, most of us have something – I choose to love myself anyway. It’s a daily practice, but a really important one. It’s about recognizing your worth beyond physical ‘flaws’ and embracing who you are, completely.

Demi Lovato explained to TopMob News that she felt pressured while scrolling through Instagram, comparing herself to models. This led her to realize the importance of showing her followers – and anyone else looking at her account – that what people see online isn’t always an accurate reflection of reality. She decided to embrace her natural self, seeing her perceived imperfections not as flaws, but as integral parts of who she is, and to demonstrate that true beauty lies in imperfection.

In December 2020, she posted on Instagram photos showing her stretch marks outlined with glitter.

Let’s be real – nobody wakes up looking perfect! It just goes to show how much of a difference a great team of stylists and makeup artists can make.

Growing up, I never once heard a woman express love or pride for her own body – not my mom, my sister, or any of my friends. That’s why I make a point of telling my daughter, Mia, that I love and am proud of my body, because building a positive body image starts when you’re young.

Just a reminder: wear a bikini if that’s what you want to wear! You don’t need to fit a certain size to enjoy it.

I’m often asked where my confidence comes from. The truth is, it comes from within. I simply made a decision to embrace my own beauty and started living as if I already was beautiful. I choose clothes and makeup that make me feel good, and that makes a huge difference. It’s not about what others think; it’s about how you see yourself. Treat your body like a sacred space, like home, and take care of it.

Over the years, I’ve really tried to show everyone that I honestly don’t care what anyone thinks about my body. I’ve confidently walked red carpets in high fashion even when I was a size 14, and I’ve even filmed intimate scenes just days after surgery, scars and all. I’ve come to realize my body is always changing – it goes through phases, and that’s okay! I still smile just as brightly no matter what size I am, because I’m incredibly proud of everything this body has experienced, accomplished, and stood for.

It’s easy to be hard on ourselves and our appearance, even when others don’t notice. I’ve seen comments about my weight, suggesting I’m trying to conform to unrealistic beauty standards. Actually, I naturally lose weight when I’m stressed, and it’s become harder to maintain a healthy weight as I’ve aged. To cope, I try to practice self-compassion – I tell myself to be as kind and understanding to myself as I would be to my own daughter, and surprisingly, it makes a big difference.

Oh my gosh, she’s SO right! As a huge fan, I’ve always loved how she just gets it. She says young women shouldn’t stress about weight – and honestly, it’s amazing advice! Girls waste so much time on that stuff when there’s a whole world out there. And for everyone – guys and girls – she says your quirks, the things that make you you, are what make you special! Everyone’s trying to be the same, but she says the people who stand out are the ones who actually succeed. She even admitted she used to hate her nose! Can you believe it? But now she embraces it, and it’s just… perfect. It’s so inspiring to hear her say it’s okay to be different, it’s okay to be you.

When I first got the role of Annalise Keating, I immediately thought she was captivating and intriguing. I was used to playing characters who were very different – women who had to physically transform for the part. So, my initial reaction was that I needed to lose weight and learn to move like Kerry Washington, to really embody the character. But then I realized, why should I have to change so much? I’ve come to believe that the greatest gift is being true to yourself, something I’ve fully embraced recently. I think my real strength as an actress is creating a world on screen that you, the viewer, can step into every Thursday night. It’s not about me fitting into your expectations; it’s about you joining me, accepting me as I am – my body, my skin tone, my age – and sharing that experience.

It bothers me when people call me brave for simply being myself and showing confidence. It’s like, why is it remarkable? If someone like Anne Hathaway were to pose in a bikini, no one would praise her bravery. There’s a clear double standard for women. I also dislike the surprise people express when I confidently embrace my own beauty – it shouldn’t be shocking that I feel good in my own skin.

In 2016, the celebrity responded to criticism online after being labeled a “thinspiration model” and accused of negatively influencing young teenagers.

Okay, so I saw this online and it really struck a chord with me. Someone posted a playful challenge, basically saying ‘Are you laughing?’ and then followed it up with a powerful message about body positivity. She encouraged everyone to look at themselves – really look – and appreciate their bodies, no matter what shape or size. Her hashtags – #thickgirlswinning, #skinnygirlswinning, and #weallwinning – perfectly capture the idea that beauty comes in all forms and we should all celebrate ourselves and each other. It’s a fantastic reminder that self-love is key!

In 2016, Zendaya criticized a magazine for heavily editing her photos. She explained on Instagram that this kind of alteration contributes to unrealistic beauty standards and makes women feel insecure. She shared the original, unedited photo alongside the retouched version, stating that she promotes self-love and authenticity.

In an interview with New You, the star spoke out against excessive photoshopping, saying she doesn’t believe anyone is truly ‘ugly.’ She believes perfection means embracing your true self, because no one else can be you – your fingerprints and DNA are unique. She wants her followers to know she faces the same struggles as everyone else and that self-confidence is key.

Don’t worry about what others think of your appearance—accept yourself as you are and be happy. Why would you deprive yourself just to please other people? It doesn’t make sense.

I embrace everything I am – my strength, my power, and my beauty. There’s absolutely nothing wrong with being all of those things at once. It’s vital to focus on the good, because dwelling on negativity can be really draining. I simply don’t have time for that. I have goals to achieve, like winning championships, and people to motivate, and that’s what drives me.

I don’t weigh myself – I don’t even have a scale. With my two young daughters, I want to set a good example, and I don’t want them focusing on weight. For me, it’s about self-acceptance. It’s easy to find flaws, but I choose to focus on feeling healthy and grateful for what I have. I don’t need to be perfect; I’m happy with how things are.

Becoming pregnant changed how I saw my body. I realized it wasn’t meant to just look a certain way, but to do amazing things. I remember thinking, ‘I’m growing a baby, and that’s what matters!’ It’s a perspective I’ve held onto ever since.

It’s strange how often we prioritize being thin over simply being healthy. I recently saw a naturopath and shared my struggles with food anxiety and constant dieting. She asked a question that really resonated with me: what would you focus on if you weren’t so preoccupied with your weight? It made me realize all the hobbies and interests I’d let go of. Somewhere along the way, I became obsessed with being thin, and it took over my thoughts. I’m finally letting go of the idea that I’ll be happier if I’m thinner, no matter how hard I try. Our bodies are naturally different, and while healthy eating and exercise are important for well-being, they don’t guarantee weight loss.

I’ve been hearing a lot of talk about my body, and I want to say: I’m proud of who I am, and you should be too! It doesn’t matter what you do or who you are – embrace yourself. There are countless reasons why you don’t need to change for anyone else to achieve your goals. Be yourself, unapologetically, and that’s what truly makes a champion. This is especially in response to the conversation around my Super Bowl performance.

I used to severely restrict my eating for weeks before any photoshoot, even if I was just wearing a t-shirt. Then, I’d obsess over every photo and usually end up deleting them. But yesterday, I decided to challenge that pattern and embrace my body as it is. I’m choosing to stop trying to change my chest, hips, and curves – the features I inherited from my parents who love me for who I am. I understand some people might see this as vain, but if they knew how much courage it took, given the body image issues I struggled with as a child, they might feel differently.

I often look at myself in the mirror and playfully acknowledge my flaws, like saying, ‘Okay, maybe my shape isn’t perfect, but that’s alright – I have solutions!’ It’s amazing how powerful our self-talk is. Simply telling yourself ‘I love you’ or offering a single positive affirmation each day can truly shift your perspective.

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2026-04-07 18:19