Jake Shane’s Overnight Fame Skyrocketed Along with His Anxiety

For many people looking for a break from their day, Jake Shane offers spit-out-your-drink, laugh-so-hard-your-stomach-hurts humor on TikTok, amassing an impressive 3.2 million followers. Shane, however, is more than just laughs; the 24-year-old’s multifaceted personality has garnered admiration from his devoted fans.

“I’ve had a really hard few weeks. I don’t know why,” Shane shares in a candid Zoom call from Los Angeles. “It’s the summer blues, I guess. I kind of feel like I’m reaching a breaking point, just full transparency. You know, when you’re on the verge of a breakdown? I don’t know if that’s what people want to hear, but that is the truth.”

Shane’s followers do want to hear it. His videos, which range from vulnerable to hilarious, regularly rack up hundreds of thousands, if not millions, of views. His podcast, “Therapuss,” where he chats with celebrity guests like Charli XCX, Joe Jonas, and Saweetie, and offers advice to his listeners, is also wildly popular. Through these platforms, Shane breaks the mold and engages in genuine conversations about mental health. He openly discusses his struggles with anxiety and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD).

According to Kevin Chapman, founder and director of the Kentucky Center for Anxiety and Related Disorders, “The stigma with mental health has decreased significantly over the past several decades, and I think it’s because people are talking about it, particularly celebrities.”

Shane embraces his burgeoning celebrity status as best as he can. “I can’t imagine my life doing anything else. I just love entertaining,” he says. His entertaining journey began a few years ago as a food critic rating and reviewing octopus. He then transitioned into creating skits reenacting historical events, such as a founding father being frustrated after John Hancock signed the Declaration of Independence. His content recently expanded to include dance challenges, Taylor Swift sing-alongs, and emotional venting sessions. These efforts catapulted him from 60,000 followers to 1 million in just a week.

Lately, his thoughts have been a whirlwind of worries as his career reaches new peaks. His podcast “Therapuss” is set for a fall tour across the U.S. and Canada. “The bigger the podcast gets, the more out of control of my narrative I feel,” Shane reveals. “And that’s really scary to me, and that triggers a lot of anxiety and OCD thoughts.”

Despite his anxieties, Shane insists he’s grateful for his success. “It’s frustrating because there will be really, really good things that happen, and I’m so scared of basking in the good moment or being happy because I’m just so scared of it going away.”

Shane, who is gay, recalls being extremely anxious about it from a young age. He came out to his parents in the fourth grade and didn’t tell anyone else until high school. Today, while he is comfortable with his gay and queer identity, the gay and queer “scene” still intimidates him. “Being romantic and intimate with someone gives me anxiety. Getting out there gives me anxiety. I’m not super comfortable in my own body and self yet, and I think that has to do with me being gay,” he confesses.

To cope with his anxiety, Shane relies on a variety of strategies. He has a breathing alarm to remind him to relax, he exercises, and immerses himself in TV shows or pop star discographies. His latest binge-watch is “Girls,” which he appreciates for its honest portrayal of OCD.

Shane’s friends, including his three roommates, also play a crucial role in his well-being. “I just wouldn’t be fine without them,” he admits. Some celebrities who have appeared on his podcast have also become close friends. “Jake is one of my favorite people on the planet,” says “Twisters” star Glen Powell, adding that Shane’s genuine personality is why people can’t get enough of him. Singer Tate McCrae similarly appreciates Shane’s supportive friendship, noting that “he really is the same off-camera.”

On his podcast, Shane comes across as a friend to his listeners, who submit stories about their life’s problems. He offers “pusscriptions,” often suggesting pop culture as a remedy. Though these aren’t professional therapy, they provide a sense of validation. “Sometimes it’s important for someone to hear your problem … like they just want to feel validated,” Shane explains.

Nevertheless, for deeper needs, Shane advises seeking professional therapy. Licensed marriage and family therapist Luis Cornejo emphasizes the importance of distinguishing between raising awareness and providing actual therapeutic support.

Despite his popularity, Shane admits to struggling with negative comments on social media. “Sometimes you’ll read a comment and it’s something someone said to you 10 years ago that you knew personally. And that stings,” he shares.

Shane’s journey through his 20s, mental health challenges, and sudden virality is undeniably intense, fittingly described as a “brat summer” in reference to his podcast and public persona.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Jake Shane’s popularity skyrocketed overnight. So did his anxiety.