Fame may shorten singers’ lives by 4 years, study finds
Fame may shorten singers' lives by four years, a new study finds.
Why it matters
- Fame in singers is linked to shorter life expectancy.
- Unique psychosocial stress may be a contributing factor.
By the numbers
- 324 celebrity singers compared to 324 non-celebrity singers.
- 83.5% of the sample were male.
- 61% were from North America.
- Famous singers die about four years earlier.
The big picture
- Wealthier social brackets usually have higher life expectancy, but fame seems to reverse this trend for singers.
- The study suggests that fame itself, not just occupational hazards, may contribute to early death.
What they're saying
- Public scrutiny, performance pressure, and loss of privacy are possible stressors.
- Easy access to drugs and alcohol in high-stress environments may play a role.
- Tour travel and lifestyle choices could also contribute.
Caveats
- Correlation does not equal causation.
- Other factors like lifestyle choices and access to healthcare could contribute.
- The study is specific to singers and may not apply to other professions.
What’s next
- Further research is needed to understand the exact mechanisms behind this correlation.
- More studies could look at other professions with high levels of fame and stress.