Miley Cyrus has candidly shared her experiences of having an anxiety attack while performing on stage, revealing the emotional journey she has undergone in the wake of a series of personal and global events. In a recent interview with Zane Lowe, the singer reflected on a significant performance in Mexico last year, where a crowd of approximately 250,000 attendees added to the pressures she was facing.
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The incident took place in late 2022, shortly after the world began to emerge from the grips of the COVID-19 pandemic. Cyrus recalled this overwhelming shift from playing to small audiences to performing in front of a colossal crowd. “It wasn’t so much anxiety,” she stated, “rather a cocktail of chaos.” She elaborated that the transformative nature of the pandemic had left its mark on her, leading to an emotional build-up that eventually surfaced during her performance.
Speaking about the impact of loss, Cyrus noted the profound effect of the sudden death of her close friend, Taylor Hawkins, who passed away unexpectedly in March 2022. The pair had formed a deep bond during lockdown, finding solace and mutual inspiration in their shared love of music. Cyrus reflected on the shock of losing Hawkins, particularly as her last opportunity to see him was lost when her flight to Paraguay for the Asunciónico Music Festival was forced to make an emergency landing caused by a severe storm.
“I had to call him right after that terrifying moment in the sky,” she recounted. “He reassured me, saying, ‘It’s raining, but like the show’s going to be sick.’ The next day he was gone.” Such moments of connection made Hawkins’ passing even more distressing for Cyrus, a stark reminder of the fragility of life.
As she stepped onto the stage for her performance in Mexico, the weight of both personal loss and the lingering effects of the pandemic began to take its toll. Cyrus disclosed that she was recovering from COVID-19 at the time, which compounded her feelings of anxiety. Gazing up at the moon while performing, she found herself caught in an existential spiral, reflecting on the limitations of human existence and the inevitability of mortality. “In my head, I’m thinking, ‘We’re all going to die one day,’” she recalled.
Cyrus spoke candidly about the moment when she admitted to the audience that she was experiencing an anxiety attack. To her surprise, the crowd responded with empathy, expressing their shared feelings. “I was saying to the crowd, ‘I’m having an anxiety attack,’ and they were like, ‘Hell yeah, we’re having anxiety attacks,’” she said, highlighting an unexpected connection with her fans.
This cathartic moment made Cyrus realise an important truth about herself: she is often her own harshest critic. This realisation led to a shift in her perspective, allowing her to overcome her anxiety and embrace her passion for performing once more. “Nobody cares the way that I do,” she stated, underscoring her commitment to her art and her own emotional journey.
As the 33-year-old artist continues to navigate her career, the experience in Mexico has brought newfound understanding and resilience. By vocalising her struggles and connecting with her audience, Cyrus has not only opened up about her personal battles but also helped normalise discussions around anxiety and mental health in the music industry and beyond.
In a world still grappling with the implications of the COVID-19 pandemic and the losses it has brought, Cyrus’s story serves as a reminder of the importance of connection, vulnerability, and the healing power of music. As she looks ahead, it is clear that these experiences will shape her artistry and influence her performances in the future, inspiring others who face similar challenges.