POPPY SHOTTS -- SOPRANO.

The article focuses on soprano Poppy Shotts’s personal journey addressing mental health challenges within the opera profession. Shotts describes the pressure performers face to suppress personal struggles in pursuit of excellence and recognition, a mindset she maintained from childhood into adulthood. The COVID-19 pandemic prompted her to reevaluate her happiness and authenticity, leading to a confrontation with depression, anxiety, and burnout following the loss of a close friend. Through community support and self-compassion, she found healing and founded Showcase Creative Studio, a platform aimed at fostering authenticity and celebration among singers. Her experience highlights the importance of mental health awareness and creating supportive spaces in the performing arts.