Even the brightest stars in Hollywood aren’t immune to fears and anxieties. Behind the glitz and glamour, celebrities like Jennifer Aniston, Kristen Bell, and others open up about the surprisingly relatable things that truly scare them. From phobias about flying and underwater swimming to awkward social encounters and unusual fears like avocados, these candid confessions shed light on the human side of fame. Here’s an inside look at what makes some of your favorite celebrities freak out—and how their vulnerabilities make them even more relatable.
Jennifer Aniston’s Fear of Flying and Going Underwater
Jennifer Aniston, beloved for her iconic role on Friends, is no stranger to fear. Despite her jet-setting lifestyle, she admits to a deep-rooted fear of flying. During a 2019 trip with co-star Courteney Cox, Aniston experienced a harrowing moment on a plane when a loud explosion shook the aircraft. While others remained calm, her anxiety surged, highlighting her genuine phobia of air travel.
Aniston’s fears don’t stop there. She has openly shared her long-standing dread of going underwater—a fear stemming from a childhood accident. As a kid, she accidentally rode her tricycle into a swimming pool and struggled underwater, an experience so traumatic she still can’t bring herself to submerge. This vulnerability reminds fans that even Hollywood’s elite wrestle with fears that may seem irrational to others.
The Social Anxiety of Jenna Ortega and the Spiritual Reverence of ‘Beetlejuice’ Stars
Young actress Jenna Ortega, known for her roles in the Beetlejuice sequel and other hits, has admitted to fearing awkward social interactions, especially those that feel pointless or draining. She described dreaded conversations that lead nowhere—like bad dates or meaningless small talk—as genuinely stressful moments. It’s a refreshing reminder that social anxiety doesn’t discriminate, affecting even those constantly in the public eye.
Meanwhile, Beetlejuice co-stars Winona Ryder and Catherine O’Hara offered their own unique takes on fear. O’Hara revealed a personal aversion to horror films like The Exorcist, while Ryder described working on the film as almost a “religious experience,” underscoring how art and fear intersect in powerful ways for performers.
Justin Theroux, another Beetlejuice alum, brought it down to the most fundamental fear: death. A self-proclaimed hypochondriac, Theroux confessed that the fear of mortality is something everyone grapples with at some level, a candid admission that adds a layer of humanity to his celebrity persona.
Kristen Bell’s Aversion to “Pruney” Fingers
Kristen Bell, known for her roles in The Good Place and Frozen, has a quirky but very real aversion that many might find amusing: she hates the feeling of pruney fingers after being in water. Her husband, actor Dax Shepard, once shared a photo of her wearing gloves in a pool to avoid that sensation, calling it a “serious, undiagnosed medical condition.”
Bell has embraced this unique fear publicly, joking about wanting to remove the stigma for the “10 people” who suffer like her. Her playful attitude toward this odd fear shows that celebrities can also poke fun at their own anxieties, making them more relatable.
Olivia Rodrigo and Scarlett Johansson: United by Fear of Birds
Birds might seem harmless, but for stars like Olivia Rodrigo and Scarlett Johansson, these winged creatures are a source of genuine fear. Rodrigo pointed out the alien-like nature of birds and how they can be surprisingly unsettling, especially given their unfamiliar anatomy and behavior. Johansson echoed this fear, recounting the difficulty of filming scenes with peacocks for We Bought a Zoo due to her terror of birds.
Johansson even shared that this fear runs in her family, highlighting how certain phobias can be inherited or shared among loved ones. This unexpected fear is a reminder that sometimes the smallest creatures can evoke the biggest anxieties.
Martin Freeman’s Unusual Fear: Avocados
British actor Martin Freeman, known for The Hobbit and Sherlock, has an unusual but understandable fear—choking on an avocado pit. His anxiety about choking stems from previous scary experiences eating too quickly, and it causes him to approach avocados with caution. While it might seem trivial, his fear is completely rational and relatable for anyone who has had a close call with food.
Freeman’s honesty about this quirky fear demonstrates that even the most composed actors can have small, everyday anxieties that follow them off-screen.
What These Confessions Reveal About Fame and Fear
These revelations from Hollywood stars serve as a reminder that fears don’t discriminate. Whether it’s a lifelong trauma, social discomfort, or an unusual aversion, celebrities experience many of the same anxieties as the rest of us. Their willingness to openly discuss these fears helps break down the illusion of invulnerability that often surrounds fame.
By sharing their vulnerabilities, stars like Jennifer Aniston, Kristen Bell, Olivia Rodrigo, and others make themselves more relatable and human. Their stories inspire us to confront our own fears with honesty—and maybe even a bit of humor.
In the end, these candid confessions prove that beneath the red carpet and bright lights, celebrities are just like everyone else—sometimes scared, sometimes awkward, but always resilient.
