Posted on 03/21/2021 5:44:54 PM PDT by DoodleBob
Ann Wilson has detailed the “cruel and nasty” body shaming that gave her anxiety during the height of Heart’s career.
“Anxiety about that really peaked for me in the 1980s when Heart was having its biggest commercial success,” the singer recalled on Mind Wide Open, the IGTV series and podcast hosted by Chris Cornell's daughter, Lily Cornell Silver. “When that happens, you get into this really intense cross section of spotlights. And, on top of that, it was MTV days when you had to not only be in a band, you had to look like a model, you had to be able to sing and dance and act, and look just fantastic all the time from every angle.”
For Wilson, the harshest body shaming came from critics assigned to cover Heart’s concerts.
“I kept getting criticized for not looking like a model. For being real,” the rocker recalled. “There were a couple of reviews I remember that were just so cruel. So personal and just cruel and nasty.”
One review in particular left Wilson speechless.
"We were in an airport and I read this review from the night before that really just landed on me for everything that was ‘wrong’ with me. And didn't even mention that I sang,” the singer noted. “I had to go find a restroom and get into a stall and just chill because I felt I was going to go crazy. I felt it was just all too much. I couldn't take all that kind of personal criticism on such a huge public scale. When I chilled out and finally came out, I was okay, but that kind of thing started happening. That led to me having stage fright. Like, 'I don't even want to go out there.’ That kind of critique, all heaped upon one person in the band, it’s all my fault, that was too much of a cross to bear for me. I couldn’t handle it.”
Wilson developed unhealthy habits in an effort to cope with her anxiety.
“I partied to relax. To escape those feelings of anxiety. Pretty classic reasoning,” the Heart rocker admitted. “If something is really terrifying and off-putting and you can’t face it, you might retreat into drugs and alcohol, which is what I did at the time.”
I never understood why they attacked Ann...I mean, it wasn't like she'd ever date these POSs. All the left knows is destruction.
The proof is in the pudding. She can STILL belt it out without the band tuning down.
Great band. Great singer.
Ann and Nancy
Dog & Butterfly
Well to paraphrase the late, great Johnny Cochran...
If the hips are wide, you must deride
People are going to hate no matter what.
IIRC, Nancy Wilson was required to audition to join the band.
She played Yes’ “Roundabout” on guitar.
She passed.
“...I went to this doctor and he told me...I swallowed a lot of aggression...along with a lot of pizzas...”
I remember back when there were actual music videos, she would be wearing giant capes and coats, and hiding behind objects, and be shot from above,looking up. Every trick in the book to not appear as fat as she was.
Great singer and band and the soundtrack of my high school, partying years. She should have just relaxed and owned it. Who cares she’s fat?
It is better to not read what they say about you.
Hey, fat is fat. If I “ developed unhealthy habits in an effort to cope “ with my anxieties, I would be in jail. Live with it and don’t complain. Heart has a few great albums and were great in their day. A vinyl album had a mushroom on it.
“She should have just relaxed and owned it.”
She should have. If you are a great singer, you don’t have to be thin or a looker if you are selling records and concert tickets. Other examples:
Ethel Merman
Jennifer Holliday (before she lost weight)
Meatloaf
Mama Cass
Janis Joplin
Aretha Franklin
Lowell George (Little Feat)
Amy Lee (Evanescence)
Barry White
Get over it Pudge.
I never cared for her screechy, overwrought vocal style. Kind of like Janis Joplin lite. Can you imagine dating a woman like Janis Joplin? Yuk.
A little plump but an attractive woman. Her critics were probably twice her size and envious of her slimness.
She can belt it out like few other female singers, that’s for sure.
I dont care if you're fat and I bought all of your records so Shut up and sing Ann.
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