Lorde Reveals MDMA Therapy Cured Her Stage Fright

Pop star Lorde recently shared a surprising detail about how she conquered her severe stage fright: MDMA therapy. During an interview on The Late Show With Stephen Colbert, she revealed that she’d suffered from “horrific stage fright” since she was a child involved in community theater.

Lorde explained that this form of therapy was a “game changer” for her performance anxiety, especially when other treatments hadn’t worked. She noted that some deep-seated anxieties “live very deep in the body,” and traditional talk therapy often can’t reach them. However, by “bypassing that and getting to the body,” something shifts. She felt this shift immediately after her MDMA therapy, waking up the next day with the feeling that her stage fright was simply “over.”

New Album, Virgin, and Tour Coming Soon

This personal revelation comes as Lorde prepares for the release of her new album, Virgin, which is set to drop on June 27 through Republic Records. She recently released “Hammer,” the album’s opening track, on June 20. This euphoric, electro-pop song, co-produced by Jim-E Stack, has been likened to Lady Gaga’s “Poker Face.”

Lorde described “Hammer” as an “ode to city life and horniness.” She also shared that “Virgin” will delve into themes of rebirth, gender, spiritual transformation, and bodily autonomy. The album features production from notable artists like Fabiana Palladino, Dan Nigro, Buddy Ross, and Dev Hynes of Blood Orange.

Lorde has been candid about how recent life experiences, such as stopping birth control, dealing with disordered eating, and ending a long-term relationship, influenced the album. The album’s raw, transparent nature is even reflected in its visual theme, which Lorde described as “clear” – like “bathwater, windows, ice, spit.” A music video for “Hammer,” directed by Renell Medrano, will also be released on June 27.