Britney Spears deals with stage fright as she heads on tour

There was a time when Britney Spears' stage show was one of her only redeeming qualities as a recording artist. Though she always lip-synced, her stage presence and dance abilities thrilled fans. Then came the breakdown and the infamous dead-eyed performance at the 2007 Video Music Awards. Since then, sources say Britney has been trying to overcome nearly crippling levels of stage fright - something she will have to beat if her upcoming tour is going to be successful.

Tickets for Britney Spears' world tour are already selling out - and nine shows have been added to meet the demands of fans anxious to see her comeback tour. But Britney is feeling the heat. Under pressure to put on the best show if her life, the star has been rehearsing nonstop.

Yet behind the scenes, Britney is is secretly terrified of not living up to expectations.

"Britney has a great time doing choreography and rehearsing, but when it's time to perform, she gets nervous," says a source. "She really wants to please her fans."

Despite a smash single, "Womanizer" and a hit album, Circus, she still feels overshadowed by her humiliating performance at the 1007 VMAs.

Since being diagnosed with what is believed to be bipolar disorder, Britney has been prescribed a range of medication, which a source says is being adjusted to help her deal with her stage fright.

She's been prescribed two antianxiety drugs, one of which she is allowed to take only twice weekly," the source reveals. "She'd been on the other medications before, but now she's been prescribed a higher dosage to take before performances."

[From In Touch Weekly print version, Jan. 5, 2009]

I'm not familiar with antianxiety drugs - but one that she can only take twice a week sounds pretty powerful. As for her fears of a repeat of the 2007 VMA debacle, perhaps that's a good thing. That's what happens when stars think they can get away with no rehearsals and a mediocre song. I'm not saying she should dwell on it, but if she is serious about getting her career going again, she needs to use that incident as motivation to stay on track and keep taking care of herself. There is definitely a lot riding on this world tour and many people think Britney is rushing things.

Britney Spears is shown performing on 12/2/08 on Good Morning America. Credit: WENN


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Posted in Britney Spears

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12 RESPONSES TO "BRITNEY SPEARS DEALS WITH STAGE FRIGHT AS SHE HEADS ON TOUR"

* Vibius:
December 26th, 2008 at 11:09 pm

Her family needs to quit milking her for money. Until she takes time away from the public eye to work on whatever has been causing her problems Its a disaster waiting to happen.

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* Margot:
December 26th, 2008 at 11:32 pm

I agree Vibius, I think thsi is to much to soon for this girl, nevertheless, my best friend and I are going to one of her shows in the NYC area, we'll see how it goes.

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* Codzilla:
December 26th, 2008 at 11:55 pm

Just pump up the meds and trot her onstage. She'll be fine.

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* Jessie:
December 27th, 2008 at 12:21 am

Hmm maybe so, but the sooner she gets back into it the easier it will be. I don't know what else she can do to help herself except get back into a "normal" life (normal for her anyway).

As for the anti-anxiety, maybe it is not as powerful as it is addictive.
Anti-anxieties really just sedate you, the stronger the pill the more sedated you'll be, so I don't know that extremely powerful pills would be a good idea before a performance!! It is probably just valium or the like.

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* TempAnon:
December 27th, 2008 at 3:15 am

I switched up my handle for this post, because I comment somewhat regularly but want a little more privacy for this one.

I was diagnosed with bipolar disorder nearly four years ago. Until that point, I had issues with depression, but it never occurred to me that I was also manic. For about two years before my diagnosis, I did a lot of things that you saw Britney Spears doing when she "went crazy." True, I was on a smaller scale because I was just a girl with a regular salary, not millions in royalties, but still.

I worked ten hours a day and developed a reputation as an dedicated employee but there were whispers about my intensity, temper, and after-hours behavior. I slept with a coworker off and on for months and everyone knew about it. I went to happy hour at 5 and stayed until the bar closed. I danced on tables and was carried out more than once. I gave a killer lap dance, and spent a few evenings in strip clubs. I cut my hair to a chin length bob on a whim and dyed it black. I woke up some mornings not remembering how I got home but thinking that my car was parked remarkably well. I got a tattoo on my lunch hour. I slept with other guys in between bouts with the coworker - one of whom was engaged, but since it was a one night stand I didn't care. I lived on black coffee and cigarettes. I realized something was wrong when I woke up one day and couldn't stop crying. My doctor and therapist teamed up and diagnosed me. I changed jobs, adjusted to a medication and therapy regimen, and got off the roller coaster. It's still something I live with every day, and it's not easy.

My regimen includes antidepressants, an anticonvulsant (for the mania), sleeping pills, and antianxiety meds. Without the latter two I simply cannot turn my brain off and can easily stay awake for a couple of days in a row. If I don't take care of myself, I will easily go off the rails.

It's a chemical disorder, people. Just like diabetes or hyperthyroidism. Pressure, stress, and physical illness can aggravate it. Just cut the girl some slack. She really seems to love her kids and she's trying to get it and keep it together.

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* jaclyn:
December 27th, 2008 at 4:17 am

Britney will be fine. Her fans are dedicated and love her no matter what. We've stuck with her through everything!

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