In a recent interview with Zane Lowe, Miley Cyrus recounted a debilitating 2022 panic attack during a Mexico City performance.. She linked the episode to the sudden passing of Taylor Hawkins and a terrifying mid-flight emergency.
The Mexico City stage and the "cocktail of chaos"
Miley Cyrus described a moment of profound vulnerability in 2022 when she admitted to a crowd in Mexico City that she was experiencing an anxiety attack. According to the report, the singer was struggling to navigate the transition back to large-scale touring following the COVID-19 lockdowns. The audience responded with unexpected solidarity , telling the 33-year-old Grammy laureate, "Hell yeah, we're having anxiety attacks."
This incident highlights a broader trend of mental health struggles among touring artists attempting to reclaim their careers in a post-pandemic landscape. The singer characterized the period as a "cocktail of chaos" where the pressures of performance met the heightened stress of a world recovering from global lockdowns.
The loss of Taylor Hawkins and the Bogota tragedy
The emotional weight of the 2022 performance was heavily influenced by the sudden death of Foo Fighters drummer Taylor Hawkins. As reported by the source, Hawkins was found dead in a hotel room in Bogota, Colombia, on March 25, 2022, following a suspected multi-substance overdose.
Cyrus shared that Hawkins was more than just a peer; he was a neighbor and a collaborator during the pandemic. The proximity of his death to her scheduled performances created a vacuum of grief that intensified her mental health struggles.
A lightning strike over Paraguay
A traumatic flight emergency added physical terror to Cyrus's emotional distress. While traveling to the Asuncionico Music Festival in Paraguay, the singer's plane was struck by lightning, necessitating an emergency landing.
This event prevented Cyrus from being able to see Hawkins one last time before his passing.. The combination of the flight's danger and the inability to find closure served as a primary catalyst for the panic attack she later endured on stage.
Resilience through the release of Bass Persaudes
Cyrus has since channeled these turbulent experiences into her musical output, specifically with the release of her tenth studio album, Bass Persaudes. The album, which features ten tracks and a bonus single, reached the Apple Music Global Top 100.
The anniversary of the album's September 18 release serves as a symbolic marker of her recovery. Through an Instagram tribute, Cyrus emphasized that the music represents a newfound sense of calm following years of intense media scrutiny and the exhaustion of constant travel.
The missing safety nets for touring musicians
While Cyrus's transparency is significant, several questions remain regarding the systemic support for artists in crisis. It is unclear how much the music industry has implemented specific mental health protocols for touring crews and performers to prevent similar "cocktails of chaos." Additionally, the report does not specify if the sudden loss of high-profile collaborators like Hawkins has led to any formal changes in how labels manage artist wellness during international travel.
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