LeAnn Rimes Gets Extremely Candid About Her Mental Health in New Interview
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Country star LeAnn Rimes opened up about her mental health in a new interview, revealing how navigating fame from an early age contributed to her struggles with anxiety and depression.
Since then, the singer shared that she has learned to slow down in her career, having taken three years to complete her upcoming album god's work.
Country star LeAnn Rimes is opening up about navigating fame from an early age — and the toll it has had on her mental health over the years.
In an interview with Insider, the 39-year-old singer reflected on being thrown into the spotlight as a young teenager, recalling the stress of feeling like she had to be a "superhuman" performer — which ultimately came at the cost of her mental and physical health.
"Being in the public eye from the time I was very young and having to override my humanness I think was a huge part of my experience with anxiety and depression and what was triggering it," she shared.
As longtime fans may recall, LeAnn first rose to fame at the young age of 13 when her debut 1996 single, "Blue," became an instant hit and made her a breakout star in country music. That same year, LeAnn's debut album of the same name earned her two Grammy Awards — and led her to become the youngest person ever, at 14 years old, to win a Grammy for Best New Artist. But achieving this success at an early age came with immense stress, LeAnn revealed, as she recalled times when she struggled with anxiety on stage as a teenager.
"I fainted backstage at 14," she said. "I've had to walk off a couple of times on stage and just be like, 'I can't finish the show.'"
Eventually, LeAnn sought professional help for her anxiety and depression, checking herself into a mental health treatment center the day after her 30th birthday, in August 2012.
"I was in a very, very dark place. I had never been alone," she told Insider. "There was always someone around, whether it be a parent or a manager, an agent or a publicist, or a husband, or whatever it was."
Explaining her decision to pursue treatment, LeAnn continued, "It was just time. It was time for me to break away from my deep codependency and to figure out what was chemically going on to be able to take care of myself."
LeAnn has previously been candid about her experience in the treatment center over the past years. On an episode of The Tamron Hall Show in 2020, the country singer shared that her decision to undergo treatment was "the best gift I could've given myself."
“I needed to gather those pieces and bring those back into wholeness," she said at the time. "All those pieces I had rejected about myself, learn how to love them and realize that the totality of me is lovable not just the LeAnn Rimes that’s projected into the world that everybody wanted to be this perfect little girl. It was the totality of me that could come to the table and have a voice.”
Since learning how the stress of fame triggers her anxiety and depression, LeAnn shared with Insider that she's actively tried to slow down in her career, asking herself if she actually needs to be a "constant source of production." Her new album god's work, which is out September 16 of this year, took her three years to complete — which she said was a "huge change" from her early years, when she felt like she "had to constantly feed the beast" that is the music business.
"I'm much more aware of my own needs and desires and limitations, and I structure my life around that, instead of allowing it to structure me," she said.
In addition to learning how to slow down in her career, LeAnn shared that she also practices self-care to manage her mental health, including red-light therapy and meditation. Previously, she revealed in a 2020 interview with People that she also practices yoga and breath work, while also taking prescribed medication to manage her symptoms. The singer also likes to spend time in nature in order to center herself — while other times, taking care of herself means spending her entire day on the couch.
"Being on the road, I think what I'm learning is that as much energy as I give out, I have to fill myself back up to be able to continue to give it back out, so sometimes Netflix and 'Grace and Frankie' are my jam," she said.
LeAnn also uses her past experiences with mental health to try to help other people with similar struggles, leading and hosting her own podcast on mental health and wellness called Wholly Human, where she discusses topics like self-acceptance, mindfulness and overcoming anxiety alongside experts in the field.
"People are so ashamed to talk about [their mental health struggles] and ask for help. But taking away the shame is so important," she previously told People. "I know who I am now ... And I try to keep things in perspective. The need for other’s approval has changed big-time. Self-worth is key."
If you're struggling with anxiety and feel worried about your health or safety, you can contact the SAMHSA National Helpline at 1-800-662-HELP (4357). This free, confidential information service can provide referrals to local treatment facilities, support groups, and community-based organizations.
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