Madonna: I fear I’ll die on stage

Madonna suffers crippling on-stage anxiety attacks

Madonna has revealed she suffers such severe on-stage anxiety attacks, she feels like she could die during a show.

After a 30-year career as a performer, you’d think the Queen of Pop would have control over her nerves by now, but apparently not.

The veteran singer told Dazed and Confused magazine: ‘I have moments where I feel incredibly invincible and know that I have the audience in my hand — I know that everything is absolutely perfect.

‘And then I have panic attacks where I feel like everyone is breathing my air and I cannot live up to everybody’s expectations and I might just die on stage.’

So how does she control them?

‘I normally try to turn my back to the audience, take a deep breath and remind myself that it’s all temporary. I’m not worried about f***ing up — I really have a panic attack that everyone else is breathing my air. It’s hard to describe.

‘When you have panic attacks you cannot rationalise them. Obviously there’s enough oxygen for me but it never happens outdoors, it’s normally in indoor sports arenas that feel very close when suddenly I feel claustrophobic.

She added: ‘It’s not a fear of performing.’

Meanwhile, Madonna last became a new member of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, along with four other acts.

The Queen of Pop was honoured with an induction by Justin Timberlake. A star is only eligible for the award 25 years after their first recording; Madonna signed her first US record deal in 1982 and had her first hit with Holiday in the UK two years later.

CLICK HERE to see all the stars at the 23rd Annual Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony.

CLICK HERE for our Madonna photo special!