SZA has confessed that the thought of embarking on a stadium tour fills her with anxiety and self-doubt.
Speaking during a candid conversation with fellow singer Chappell Roan for Interview Magazine, the Kill Bill hitmaker revealed that performing in massive venues, particularly as part of her joint Grand National Tour with Kendrick Lamar, is intimidating.
“I’ve never been on a f**king stadium tour before. There’s so much fear,” SZA admitted. “Am I going to feel the crowd so far away from me versus being in a smaller venue? There’s no top on the venue, so where’s the energy going to bounce off of? Am I going to be able to catch it and release it and flip it?”
The tour, which launched in the U.S. on April 19, features SZA and Kendrick Lamar co-headlining. Its European leg is set to begin on July 2, with the final show scheduled for Sydney, Australia on December 10.
SZA, whose real name is Solana Rowe, expressed doubts about her role in the tour, fearing that most fans are only there to see Lamar.
“Everybody’s going to see Kendrick. I don’t even know if I have anything to show these people that’s exciting and new. But I’m just like, ‘F**k it. I want to walk through the door. I want to see what happens in the uncertainty.’ That’s the true magic,” she said.
Reflecting on her past struggles with self-confidence, SZA added,
“I used to not show up to something because it was like, ‘I’m never going to win. No one cares that I’m here. Why would I go?’ But now it’s just like, ‘F**k it. I don’t have anything else to do, and I want to see where this door is going to lead.'”
Despite her fears, the Grammy-winning artist appears determined to face the challenge head-on, embracing the unknown with courage and vulnerability.
