Jessie J Bravely Reveals On-Stage Panic Attack in Candid Health Disclosure
Singer Jessie J has courageously shared a raw video clip capturing a panic attack she experienced midway through a live performance. The 37-year-old artist, whose real name is Jessica Cornish, described the moment as hitting her "like a sea of fear," visibly affecting her facial expressions, body movements, and vocal delivery.
Sharing the Struggle to Foster Understanding
Despite the overwhelming episode, Jessie J continued singing and later posted the footage on Instagram to raise awareness about anxiety, a mental health condition she has battled since childhood. In her heartfelt caption, she explained, "I can remember having anxiety as a child but it got really bad when I was about 24." She added, "I am 38 tomorrow and some days it doesn’t show up at all, and other days I’m so anxious I feel like I am not in the room and the floor is made of jelly."
The singer emphasized the unpredictability of anxiety, stating, "That’s the thing with anxiety it will just show up when you least expect it to sometimes." She expressed pride in her ability to work through the attack, noting, "I watched this back so proud of how I worked through it and kept going." Jessie J also addressed common misconceptions, revealing that people often tell her, "Surely you don’t get anxious" or "I could never do what you do with my anxiety," to which she responds, "I assure you I do and I sometimes don’t think I can’t do what I do with mine. But I do."
Flood of Support from Fans and Followers
Her openness sparked an outpouring of support from fans in the comments section. One admirer wrote, "Wooooow!! This is sooo special to read!! Thank you for sharing this ….This makes me emotional to watch. Respect to you for breathing and focussing thru this moment." Another added, "Thank you for being so real. You are an inspiration, so incredibly talented and yet, so human and down to earth." A third fan praised her authenticity, saying, "You’re so brave! Wow, you are the real deal. All these artists perform with pitch correction or playback but you show them how it’s done."
Recent Health Challenges for the Singer
This disclosure comes amid a difficult period for Jessie J, who underwent surgery twice last year after being diagnosed with early-stage breast cancer. She was also recently rushed to hospital for an MRI scan following a head injury, highlighting the additional pressures she faces.
Understanding Panic Attacks and Anxiety
According to the NHS, anxiety can manifest in various physical, mental, and behavioral symptoms, making it challenging to recognize. Symptoms of a panic attack may include:
- A racing heartbeat
- Feeling faint, dizzy, or lightheaded
- Sweating, trembling, or shaking
- Shortness of breath or rapid breathing
- A tingling sensation in fingers or lips
- Feeling nauseous
Panic attacks typically last between 5 to 30 minutes and, while frightening, are not dangerous or harmful.
NHS Advice for Managing Anxiety
The NHS offers several strategies to cope with anxiety and panic attacks:
- Talk about your feelings with friends, family, or health professionals.
- Practice calming breathing exercises.
- Engage in regular exercise like running, walking, swimming, or yoga.
- Ensure adequate sleep and maintain a healthy diet with regular meals.
- Listen to free mental wellbeing audio guides.
Additional recommendations include: setting small, achievable targets; focusing on aspects you can change rather than uncontrollable factors; gradually exposing yourself to anxiety-inducing situations; remembering that anxiety is common and you are not alone; and avoiding reliance on alcohol, cigarettes, gambling, or drugs, which can worsen mental health.
Jessie J's brave sharing of her experience serves as a powerful reminder of the realities of living with anxiety, encouraging others to seek support and fostering a more open dialogue about mental health.
