‘It’s time to go home’: Singer Jasleen Royal breaks down over Coldplay concert backlash; expert on imposter syndrome and grappling with stage fright | Lifestyle News
Singer Jasleen Royal, known for her heartfelt lyrics and soothing melodies, has opened up about the emotional toll of performing as the opening act for Coldplay’s Mumbai concert earlier this year. While it should have been a career-defining moment, it turned into a painful episode. In her YouTube documentary ‘Dare To Dream’, Jasleen shared how online backlash and technical issues during her Day 1 performance deeply affected her.
“After a certain point, I can feel it like it’s time to go home. There’s a lot of pressure. I’ll die. I swear I’ll die,” she admitted through tears. She later added, “I’m nervous. I don’t want people to think that she didn’t deserve to be here. Or ‘Why is she here? We just want Coldplay. We don’t like her music.’ I am a self-taught musician. So, I know I am not perfect. I keep learning every day. I try to better myself every day.”
Story continues below this ad
The video also showed her breaking down while reading hurtful comments, then gathering herself with the help of her team and parents before stepping out for Day 2’s performance.
But, how does intense public scrutiny impact mental health — even for those who are at significant milestones in their careers?
Sonal Khangarot, licensed rehabilitation counsellor and psychotherap, The Answer Room, says, “Intense public scrutiny, especially on social media, can severely impact mental health — even at career peaks — fuelling a relentless need for validation. The ‘like button’ culture creates a dopamine-driven loop, making individuals crave constant approval. Failing to detach from this cycle leads to anxiety, burnout, and self-worth tied to public opinion.”
She continues, “As psycholog BF Skinner’s operant conditioning theory suggests, variable rewards (likes, shares) reinforce behaviour unpredictably, making it hard to break free. Whether a film, song, or post performs well, scrutiny follows. Too much of anything — even praise — can overwhelm, destabilising one’s inner balance and sense of self amidst the noise.”
Coping mechanisms for performers who are grappling with stage fright and the fear of not being good enough
Stage fright and the fear of not being ‘good enough’ often stem from internalised pressure and self-doubt. Khangarot suggests that to cope, performers can start breaking down what defines a ‘good’ performance — assessing technique, presence, and audience engagement.
Khangarot adds, “A critical review with a professional offers constructive insight, unlike public opinion, which tends to be emotionally charged. Systematic desensitisation with a psycholog can help ease performance anxiety gradually building confidence. When the fear stems from low self-worth, deeper self-exploration is key.”Story continues below this ad
Can imposter syndrome be more intense for self-made arts, and how can they learn to silence self-doubt in high-pressure situations?
Khangarot notes, “As a psycholog, I wouldn’t recommend labelling someone with impostor syndrome at first glance. However, self-made arts like Jasleen, who are self-taught and constantly evolving, may experience heightened self-doubt because they often lack formal validation or institutional backing.”
The pressure to prove oneself in high-stakes environments can amplify feelings of inadequacy, even when success is evident. “In such cases, the inner critic can be louder than the applause. To manage this, arts can benefit from grounding practices like reflective journaling, therapy, or mentorship within their field. Building a strong, supportive inner voice — and acknowledging growth over perfection — helps in silencing doubt when it matters most,” she concludes.
