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Fame, Fortune & Therapy – 7 Celebs Who Brought Their Darkness To Light
14 May
May is Mental Health Awareness Month
So we at Popdust pulled together a quick list of 7 fabulous megastars who are true advocates for healthy minds and calm hearts.
Stigma and old taboos are falling away – and it’s about time. Nonjudgmental, constructive conversations about mental health are common these days. And that’s in great part because celebrities are sharing their struggles for mental well-being with the world. Despite all their fame, these renowned figures reveal that they have the same problems and face the same challenges the rest of us do.
Their stark revelations help accomplish two things: celebs are no longer semi-mythic creatures but humans with delicate psyches just like us. So, we’re emboldened to deal openly and frankly with our own mental health struggles.
1. Selena Gomez
Selena Gomez is also no stranger to anxiety and depression. She’s the co-founder of Wondermind – “Our Space to Let It All Out.” It’s a mental health platform designed to provide accessible mental health resources. And, via her Rare Impact Fund, Gomez intends to raise $100 million over ten years to expand mental health services for young people.
2. Noah Kahan
Singer-songwriter Noah Kahan has candidly discussed his encounters with anxiety and depression. He founded The Busyhead Project, a nonprofit initiative that to date has raised over $4 million to support mental health organizations, with special attention paid to underserved communities. He actively collaborates with local mental health groups during his tours.
Kahan started digging into his mental health in a big way on his 2021 album I Was / I Am. It marked a shift — more raw, more vulnerable. Songs like “Growing Sideways” and “Godlight” openly explore his struggles with therapy, depression, and anxiety. He’s said writing them was cathartic, a way to process what he was going through and connect with others feeling the same.
3. Demi Lovato
Diagnosed with bipolar disorder in 2011, Demi Lovato has made no secret of her war against addiction, eating disorders, and self-harm. Demi values the clarity stemming from that diagnosis; once she knew what she was dealing with, she set out on the road to health. Lovato uses her platform to advocate for mental health awareness.
Lovato’s first song that touched on her bipolar diagnosis was “Skyscraper,” released in 2011. While it doesn’t mention the diagnosis directly, it came shortly after her treatment and reflects the turmoil she was navigating at the time. The lyrics capture her isolation, sadness, and her resilience.
Since then, Lovato continues to open up through her music. Her song “Sober” explores her addiction and mental illness. “Anyone” was recorded just days before her near-fatal overdose in 2018. Through it all, she’s used her platform to destigmatize mental health and encourage open, honest conversations.
4. Prince Harry
The younger son of the oh-so-glam Princess Diana, Prince Harry has been bravely upfront about the impact of his mother’s death on his mental health. Co-founding the Heads Together campaign in collaboration with the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, Harry is living proof that even royalty is subject to the slings and arrows of mental illness – and that together we can do something meaningful about it.
5. Lady Gaga
Lady Gaga has been quite open about living with PTSD, which stems from being sexually assaulted at the age of 19 by a music producer — a trauma that left lasting emotional scars. For years, she couldn’t process what had happened, burying the pain until it resurfaced in the form of panic attacks, dissociation, and intense psychological distress.
Lady G first publicly disclosed her PTSD diagnosis in 2016 during a visit to a homeless shelter for LGBTQ+ youth. Since then, Gaga has spoken candidly about how PTSD affects her daily life, including chronic pain and mental health struggles. Through her Born This Way Foundation, LG is a fierce advocate for trauma survivors, pushing for mental health awareness and emotional healing through therapy, self-care, and compassionate conversation.
Mother Monster’s first hit song that directly addressed her mental health battles is “911,” released in 2020 as part of her album Chromatica. This track delves into her experiences with antipsychotic medication, specifically olanzapine.
6. Ryan Reynolds
For actor Ryan Reynolds, anxiety is a double-edged sword; sometimes it helps fuel a stunning performance, other times it’s so personally overwhelming it sinks him. Reynolds is big on self-awareness and coping strategies such as mindfulness and humor. By speaking out Ryan’s hoping to encourage others — especially men — to speak out.
7. Emma Stone: From Childhood Anxiety to Advocacy
Academy Award-winning actress Emma Stone has battled anxiety and panic attacks since childhood—a struggle that’s deeply influenced both her life and her work. She’s shared how anxiety once made her daily life feel unmanageable, and how performing became a lifeline, giving her a sense of control and expression when everything else felt chaotic.
Stone now uses her platform to raise awareness and advocate for mental health, especially through her work with the Child Mind Institute. By speaking candidly about her experiences, she’s helping to shatter the stigma and show others that we are not alone. Help is always within reach.
Mental health doesn’t care how famous or successful you are — that’s precisely why it’s galvanizing to hear these stories. Our favorite celebs remind us that facing mental health challenges doesn’t make you weak — getting support is something to be proud of.
By sharing their journeys, they’re making it easier for the rest of us to speak up, seek support, and remember that taking care of your mind is just as important as anything else.
If you or someone you know is struggling with mental health, resources are available. In the U.S., the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) offers support and information at nami.org.
