May 18, 2010

Sia to Quit the Music Scene After Developing Panic Disorder

Sia The ever-fabulous Australian singer Sia has recently given her fans a major blow by sitting down with Britain’s The Times and divulging that she plans to quit writing music (for herself) after the release of her fourth album, We Are Born.

While Sia hasn’t necessarily become a household name and her fame (and fame woes) don’t compare to those of Britney Spears or the chaotic drama and life of Lindsay Lohan, she has found herself close enough to the “top” to have her life transformed into something she doesn’t recognize anymore, and unlike most who dream of making it big in the entertainment industry, she isn’t happy with how her fame has impacted her life.

Sia was outed as being bisexual by celebrity gossip blogger Perez Hilton, who is infamous for outing celebrities who haven’t called attention to their sexual orientation on their own. While many people frequent his website for these stories alone, I do not agree with his public outing of celebrities, especially if they have not already addressed that issue on their own. You never know, there could be very good reason for that person to keep that part of their lives away from the public, away from their fans and away from the people who may look down upon that person for simply being who they are. I am a huge advocate for gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender and queer equality, but I also believe that this personal and intimate detail of one’s life is left to be handled–at least at first–by that person alone. I wish more bloggers and people who put themselves in the public eye could have the same respect for their fellow human beings.

It is because of Perez Hilton’s outing of Sia that she found herself developing a mental illness and having to suddenly live with and cope with panic attacks and depression, which she talks about to The Times:

“When I was outed by Perez Hilton as bisexual, I suddenly started being asked a lot of personal questions, which was really difficult. I’d had a relationship with a woman when I was 20, but nobody cared then. As it came at the same time as my fame, it made me withdraw, and I started having panic attacks. It was then that I was prescribed antidepressants – fame made me develop a panic disorder.

Sure, there are advantages (to fame): I can Tweet someone famous and they’ll usually Tweet back; I get given free stuff, but I can afford to buy it myself.

It’s no wonder Britney Spears was diagnosed as bipolar. Amy Winehouse wasn’t doing crack and heroin until she became successful. And then there’s Heath Ledger… People aren’t honest about the horrors of fame. The downsides are so overwhelming that, for me, there is no payoff.

Now my dream is to write songs for others, to have a baby, to have a routine… I want a normal job. I want to be who I was before all this.”

Sia also divulged to The Times that she does not believe she will need to continue her antidepressant regime after stepping out of spotlight and she has resolved to step behind the scenes and carve out a career as a songwriter instead of the singer we all know and love her as.

We have all seen the negative impact fame has on a great deal of people, including but not limited to the celebrities Sia mentioned and I know I completely understand her reason for bowing out and respect her decision. After all, the only thing we do have at the end of the day is our happiness with ourselves and the work we have done in our lives. The relationships we have cultivated and the people around us who love us, respect us and stick by us during the hard times.

I wish Sia all the best with her life after being in the spotlight and to send her off, please enjoy my absolute favorite song by Sia ever.

By Holly

7 Comments

Posted in Entertainment , Music

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About the Author: Holly Ord

In addition to being the Founder and Editor of Woman Tribune, Holly Ord is a freelance writer, web designer and developer, feminist activist and blogger, and hopeless video game addict. She lives in Northeastern Pennsylvania and has been blogging on liberal politics and gender equality on her personal website, Menstrual Poetry since 2007.

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7 Comments on Sia to Quit the Music Scene After Developing Panic Disorder / Add Your Comment

gaga says:

May 21, 2010 at 8:22 am

What a shame. I can only imaginge how stressful/intense life can be in the ‘limelight’. Some people can handle it and some cant I guess, we’re all just human beings at the end of the day .

ohthat'soo says:

May 21, 2010 at 10:57 am

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Deborah@antianxietytechniques says:

June 27, 2010 at 10:24 pm

I’m sorry to hear about how things have turned out, but you need to look at this in a positive way. Take all this negativity and turn it into a positive. Don’t allow others to dictate how you feel emotionally.

As for the panic attack there will run your life as long as you let them, you seriously need to take a step back, find out how to your going to control control on your own. It’s not hard, and the rest will fall into place. I hope this helps Deborahmaree

Kofi Awunyo says:

August 20, 2010 at 4:57 am

I have been a victim myself from panic attacks and depression when my ex dumped me. I understand the feelings. It happens like this you need to enjoy groups and associate with people with similar problem.

xxlslxx says:

December 27, 2010 at 3:50 pm

I have been a victim myself and found this story quite touching. I luckily stumbled upon this site also which gave a nice amount of info if that’s any help to anyone? http://www.officialpanicawayreview.com

katia says:

March 3, 2011 at 10:13 am

Although I wouldn’t want to wish panic attacks on anyone as they are so miserable and debilitating, it is nice to know that someone high profile knows what it’s like to have them. I feel a bit better about it for that! I ahve found a useful site and product that might be of use to your readers atPanicaway Product Review
Thank you!

Alexandru Nichifor says:

May 12, 2011 at 6:05 pm

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