It’s a common misconception that ‘introvert‘ is another word for ‘shy’. While it may be true that extraverts are more outgoing and social on average, you might be surprised at how introverts can come alive under the right circumstances, particularly on stage.
I’ve compiled a list of some of the most dynamic performers of past and present who happen to be introverts. Without further ado…
Kate Bush
“I think probably the only thing that is around in these songs is that I was really lonely when I wrote a lot of them. But it was really by my own choosing because I was devoting myself to songwriting and dancing and I wasn’t really going out and seeing people.“
-Kate Bush
Zack De La Rocha – Rage Against the Machine
(INFP)
“I channeled all my pain through that band.”
– Zack De La Rocha
Anne Clark – St. Vincent
“I like the material, which makes it easy to sort of delve into it, and then also I was too tired to be nervous. I was just happy.”
– Annie Clark
Bob Marley
(INFP)
“Man is a universe within himself.”
– Bob Marley
Lady Gaga
(ISFP)
“When I wake up in the morning, I feel just like any other insecure 24-year-old girl.”
– Lady Gaga
Matt Bellamy – Muse
(INFJ)
“I’m really nervous now, already. I think that when you get to half an hour before, the nerves turn into adrenalin. I’m nervous all day pretty much. It turns into pure excitement, as opposed to just sh!##ing yourself…”
– Matt Bellamy
Jimi Hendrix
(ISFP)
“It all has to come from inside…”
– Jimi Hendrix
Tori Amos
(INFJ)
“I’m the queen of the nerds.”
– Tori Amos
Prince
(ISFP)
“I just wanted to tear it up and get out of town.”
– Prince
Michael Jackson
(ISFP)
“I sit there and say, ‘Please don’t call me up, I am too shy.’ But once I get up there, I take control of myself. Being onstage is magic. There’s nothing like it. You feel the energy of everybody who’s out there. You feel it all over your body. When the lights hit you, it’s all over, I swear it is.”
– Michael Jackson
Can you think of anyone else who should be on this list?
