Asia's songbird opens up on stage anxiety after Josh Groban duet

Even legends have their moments of doubt. Regine Velasquez, long hailed as Asia’s Songbird, revealed in an emotional post on X this week that performing, something that once exhilarated her, has recently become a source of anxiety.

The confession came on the heels of her guest appearance in Josh Groban’s Manila concert on 18 February at the Mall of Asia Arena, where she shared the stage alongside Martin Nievera and Julie Anne San Jose. While the duet was, by all accounts, a highlight of the evening, Velasquez admitted she spent the day so anxious she forgot to eat. “It was wonderful and an honor to sing with Josh Groban last night,” she wrote, “but I was so nervous. I was so anxious the whole day [that] I forgot to eat.”

Velasquez went on to explain that this was not a one-off moment. Lately, every performance, even routine appearances on ASAP, has left her grappling with nerves. “It used to excite me, a source of joy,” she said, “but now it gives me so much anxiety. I still LOVE singing, I do, but performing on stage… maybe it’s part of getting older, I don’t know. But it’s kind of heartbreaking.”

The candid revelation quickly drew responses from fans and colleagues alike. Julie Anne San Jose and Zsa Zsa Padilla were among those reassuring her of a stellar performance, while Erik Santos posted a heartfelt note acknowledging both her legacy and her humanity. “Your honesty about your struggles makes you more than just an icon, it makes you human,” Santos wrote. “Seeing a legend be vulnerable about anxiety on stage inspires us more than any perfect record ever could.”

Santos also reminded the public that Velasquez’s impact isn’t measured by a single high note or flawless vocal run. “It is defined by more than four decades of being the heartbeat of OPM,” he said. “Even as you navigate natural changes in your voice, you remain undeniably one of the best, if not the best, in OPM.” He praised her gentle, unguarded moments behind the scenes, her devotion to her son Nate and to husband Ogie Alcasid, as proof that her greatest performances often happen away from the spotlight.

Velasquez’s career has long been defined by her crystalline tone and vocal range, from classics like “Dadalhin” and “Araw-Gabi” to her emotive renditions of “Pangarap Ko ang Ibigin Ka.” Yet her latest admission underscores a universal truth: even stars are not immune to vulnerability. As she navigates these challenges, Velasquez reassures fans that her love for singing endures.

“When I step on stage, it’s still magic,” she said, “even if the nerves are there. I just have to breathe, focus, and trust the music.”