Celebrities and their statuses as idols, icons, and role models represent an integral part of society and culture. Men and women both young and old are attracted to these “stars” for a variety of reasons, which range from physical appeal to talent ability. However, what many people forget to realize is that celebrities are human beings, and they experience the same fears and phobias that all “normal” members of society experience. In fact, many statistics estimate that approximately 6 million citizens of the United States experience a phobia in one or more areas. From Britney Spears to Brad Pitt, continue on to discover the array of celebrities who possess phobias of both animals and other things.
1. Kristen Stewart: Equinophobia–Fear of Horses
Kristen Stewart, who is well-known for her roles in Twilight and Snow White and the Huntsman, possesses a fear of horses. According to Stewart, she “hates them.” The fear of horses is a phobia that is known as either equinophobia or hippophobia. Kristen Stewart’s equinophobia began when she was nine-years-old, at which time she fell from a horse and broke her elbow.
2. La Toya Jackson: Ailurophobia–Fear of Cats
La Toya Jackson, who is a well-known singer, songwriter, actress, former model, activist, and sister to Michael Jackson, is afraid of cats. This fear represents a phobia that is known as ailurophobia. La Toya Jackson’s fear of cats was announced on an episode of American Idol, and the star relates her ailurophobia to a childhood incident in which a close relative was attacked by a cat.
3. Orlando Bloom: Swinophobia–Fear of Pigs
Orlando Bloom, who is known for his good looks, his supermodel wife, and his role in Pirates of the Carribean, possesses a fear of pigs. This fear represents a phobia that is known as swinophobia. Orlando Bloom’s swinophobia became known when he was filming Kingdom of Heaven, at which time a pig ran loose on set and Bloom “ran like crazy.”
4. Lyle Lovett: Bovinophobia–Fear of Cows
Image Source
Lyle Lovett, who is a well-known country singer, songwriter, and actor, possesses a fear of cows. This fear represents a phobia that is known as bovinophobia. According to Lovett, who is also Julia Robert’s ex-husband, his bovinophobia stems from a severe leg fracture that he endured as a result of being attacked by a bull on his uncle’s ranch. When this star is confronted with cows, he feels helpless and runs away.
5. Scarlett Johansson: Katsaridaphobia–Fear of co*ckroaches
Scarlet Johansson, who is adored for her beauty, charm, and acting abilities, suffers from a fear of co*ckroaches. This fear represents a phobia that is known as katsaridaphobia, which is quite common. One time, Johansson woke up to find a co*ckroach on her face. Since then, this gorgeous woman has suffered from katsaridaphobia.
6. Nicole Kidman: Lepidopterophobia–Fear of Butterflies
Nicole Kidman, who is well-known for her role in Cold Mountain, possesses a fear of butterflies. This relatively common fear represents a phobia that is known as lepidopterophobia. According to Kidman, her lepidopterophobia began when she was a child growing up in Australia. Since that time, she attempted to “break her fear” of butterflies by visiting a butterfly cage at the Museum of Natural History, and it was an unsuccessful attempt.
7. Tyra Banks: Delfiniphobia–Fear of Dolphins
Tyra Banks, the well-known supermodel, advocate for women, and host of America’s Next Top Model, possesses a fear of dolphins. This fear represents a phobia that is known as delfiniphobia. Banks has been afraid of dolphins since she was 8-years-old, and she currently has recurring dreams where she is in a pool and dolphins keep bumping into her.
8. Britney Spears: Herpetophobia–Fear of Reptiles
Britney Spears, who is a well-known singer, songwriter, socialite, and mother to two boys, possesses a fear of reptiles. The fear of reptiles represents a common phobia that is known as herpetophobia. According to Spears, she only fears the Komodo Dragon and other lizards.
9. Justin Timberlake: Arachnophobia–Fear of Spiders
Justin Timberlake is well-known as a singer, as a “teen heartthrob,” and as Jessica Biel’s charming boyfriend. He possesses a fear of spiders. This fear represents a common phobia that is known as arachnophobia. Aside from spiders, Timberlake also avoids sharks and snakes at all costs.
10. Katie Holmes: Agrizoophobia–Fear of Raccoons
Katie Holmes, who is well-known as an actress, a fashion icon, Tom Cruise’s ex-wife, and as Suri Cruise’s mother, possesses a fear of raccoons. This fear represents a part of the phobia that is known as agrizoophobia. According to Holmes, she has always been afraid of raccoons. When confronted with one of these animals, Katie prefers to either “freak out” or “bark” in response.
11. Shannon Elizabeth: Alektorophobia–Fear of Chickens
Shannon Elizabeth, who is well-known as an actress and fashion model, possesses a fear of chickens. The fear of chickens is known as alektorophobia. According to many sources, this star of American Pie obtains an “extreme” or “morbid” fear of chickens.
12. Jake Gyllenhaal: Fear of Ostriches
Jake Gyllenhaal is well-known for his charming personality and his talents as an actor. This star of Donnie Darko possesses a fear of ostriches. According to Gyllenhaal, he developed this fear while acting in Prince of Persia: Sands of Time, at which time a peer informed him that ostriches will “tear out your eyes and rip out your heart.”
13. David Beckham: Ornithophobia–Fear of Birds. And Ataxophobia–Fear of Untidiness
David Beckham is known for possessing exceptional skills in soccer, a beautiful wife, four children, and a toned physique. In addition, this star possesses both a fear of birds and a fear of untidiness. The fear of birds is referred to as ornithophobia, and the fear of untidiness is referred to as ataxophobia. According to Victoria Beckham, David Beckham’s closet is coordinated by color, and his cans of soda must line up appropriately in the fridge.
14. Eminem: A Form of Ornithophobia–Fear of Owls
Image Source
Eminem, who is well-known for his singing and songwriting talents, possesses a fear of owls. The fear of owls represents a component of ornithophobia, which is the fear of birds. According to Eminem, he has “a serious fear of owls.”
15. Woody Allen: Many Phobias
Image Source
Woody Allen is well-known as a screenwriter, actor, comedian, and musician. This Small Time Crooks star not only possesses a fear of deer, he also possesses fears of dogs, insects, sunshine, children, small rooms, and cancer as well. All in all, Allen possesses the most phobias of all Hollywood stars and starlets. The fear of dogs is referred to as cynophobia, and the fear of insects is referred to as entomophobia. Both cynophobia and entomophobia are common all around the World.
16. Walt Disney: Musophobia–Fear of Mice
Walt Disney, the founder and creator of both Disney World and an array of films, possessed the fear of mice. This fear represents the phobia that is known as musophobia. Despite the fact that Walt Disney obtained the idea for Mickey Mouse by watching mice play in his garage, this well-known man ironically feared those small creatures.
17. Robson Green: Spheksophobia–Fear of Wasps
Image Source
Robson Green is a well-known singer and songwriter from England, and he possesses a fear of wasps. The fear of wasps is known as spheksophobia, which is a common phobia. According to many sources, this star “dreads” wasps.
18. Brad Pitt: Selacophobia–Fear of Sharks
Brad Pitt, who is well-known for his stunning looks, charming character, acting skills, and commitment to charity, possesses a fear of sharks. This fear is known as selacophobia, and numerous people suffer from it.
19. Johnny Depp: Arachnophobia–Fear of Spiders. And Coulrophobia–Fear of Clowns.
Johnny Depp, who is well-known for his superior performances in an array of top movies, possesses both a fear of spiders and a fear of clowns. The fear of spiders is known as arachnophobia, and the fear of clowns is known as coulrophobia. Both of these phobias are quite common around the World. According to Depp, his fear of clowns stems from the fact that “there always seems to be a darkness lurking just under their surface, a potential for real evil.”
20. Johnny Cash: Ophidiophobia–Fear of Snakes. And Aerophobia–Fear of Flying.
Johhny Cash was an American singer, songwriter, and actor who possessed both a fear of snakes and a fear of flying. The fear of snakes is known as ophidiophobia, and the fear of flying is known as aerophobia. Many people suffer from both of those phobias.
21. Ainsley Harriott: Ophidiophobia–Fear of Snakes
Image Source
Ainsley Harriott is a well-known chef and television presenter from England, and he possesses an extreme fear of snakes. The fear of snakes is known as ophidiophobia. Like Ainsley, many people suffer from this phobia.
22. Nadine Coyle: Many Animal Phobias
Nadine Coyle is a well-known singer, songwriter, actress, and model of Irish descent. Coyle possesses fears of many animals, which include dogs, cats, snakes, spiders, and rodents. The fear of dogs is known as cynophobia, the fear of cats is known as ailurophobia, the fear of snakes is known as ophidiophobia, the fear of spiders is known as arachnophobia, and the fear of rodents is known as musophobia.
23. Adolf Hitler: Ailurophobia–Fear of Cats
Adolf Hitler was not necessarily known as an idol or an icon, but he was known for his extremely cynical reputation as one if the most cruel and immoral leaders the World has every known. In addition, Hitler was known to possess a fear of cats. The fear of cats is known as ailurophobia.
24. Matt Damon: Ophidiophobia–Fear of Snakes
Matt Damon is a well-known actor from Hollywood who possesses a severe fear of snakes. The fear of snakes is known as ophidiophobia. Damon’s fear of these creatures was apparent on the set of We Bought A Zoo, where he “cried like a baby and rocked back and forth when the snakes were spread all over the set.”
25. Michael Jackson: Cynophobia–Fear of Dogs
Michael Jackson was a well-known singer, songwriter, and musical icon who possessed a fear of dogs. The fear of dogs is known as cynophobia.
