Olivia Rodrigo has revealed that behind one of the most celebrated performances of her career was a moment of intense fear and self-doubt. The global pop star admitted she suffered what she described as a near anxiety attack in a bathroom just moments before she was due to headline Glastonbury Festival in 2025.
Despite the pressure of taking on one of the world's most prestigious stages, Rodrigo says the experience ultimately became one of the most defining and emotional moments of her life, answering the question of how she overcame such overwhelming nerves in the lead-up to her set.
Bathroom Panic Moments Before Going on Stage
Speaking in an interview with the BBC, Rodrigo recalled the minutes before she walked out in front of tens of thousands of fans. She described hiding in a bathroom backstage as nerves spiralled.
'I remember having a near anxiety attack in the bathroom, like, "How am I going to do this? I don't know if I'm ready"', she said.
The singer admitted that the weight of the moment hit her all at once, with the scale and history of Glastonbury adding to the pressure she already felt as a young headliner.
Why Glastonbury Meant So Much to Her
Rodrigo explained that her anxiety was closely tied to the respect she has for the festival itself. Glastonbury, known for its long cultural history and legendary performances, represented a milestone she had dreamed about for years.
She said the 'reverence' she feels for the event made the responsibility feel even heavier. Preparing for the set was not just about performing songs, but about living up to a tradition she deeply admired.
The Sudden Shift When She Stepped on Stage
Despite the panic backstage, Rodrigo said everything changed the moment she stepped into the spotlight. The fear she felt in the bathroom disappeared almost instantly as she began to sing.
'But something overcame me the second I stepped on stage and started singing', she said. 'I felt totally calm and so in my element.'
She admitted she cannot fully explain the shift, but described it as something almost magical that took over her nerves and turned them into focus.
Once the initial anxiety faded, Rodrigo said the performance turned into one of the most meaningful experiences of her career. The set was carefully planned and deeply personal to her, something she had spent a long time preparing for.
'I put so much love and care into that set and spent so much time thinking about it', she said. 'The fact that it translated... It was totally a dream come true.' The show itself went on to be widely praised, cementing her place as one of the defining pop acts of her generation.
Returning to Glastonbury After Her 2022 Debut
Rodrigo's 2025 headline appearance was not her first time at the festival. She initially performed at Glastonbury in 2022, but returning as a headliner three years later marked a major step in her career. During her 2025 set, she also surprised fans by bringing out The Cure frontman Robert Smith for special performances, adding to the moment's significance and emotional impact.
Following her Glastonbury triumph, Rodrigo has continued to build momentum in her music career. She is currently preparing for the release of her third studio album, titled You Seem Pretty Sad for a Girl So in Love, which she described as capturing the emotional complexity of relationships.
The singer has also launched new music and is set to embark on The Unraveled Tour, scheduled to run from September 2026 through May 2027, marking another major chapter in her rapidly evolving career.
