Laurie Metcalf Quotes

I'm very shy, and I shy away from people. But the moment I hit the stage, it's a different feeling I get nerve from somewhere; maybe it's because it's something I love to do.

I don't really understand it: in real life, I'm often so shy - paralysingly so - but when I'm performing, it's totally different. I feel free.

I was always an exhibitionist. I liked it when everyone laughed. But I didn't do plays in high school. I was too nervous.

I can never remember being afraid of an audience. If the audience could do better, they'd be up here on stage and I'd be out there watching them.

I can sing in front of people. I can go on a TV show, live, and not feel like I'm going to throw up.

Even as a kid I wasn't, like, a natural entertainer, where I would gather everyone around me and then sing or something at family parties.

Growing up, I was so shy, but it was weird because I was the complete opposite on stage. I was just free to be myself.

I have a big persona onstage sometimes, but offstage, I'm super shy. Like, I don't want to perform for people - I'd rather die than sing in a room for someone.

I've been able to perform in front of thousands of people on stage in a character that's nothing like me. I'm very shy.

In a strange way, I'm way more comfortable onstage than anywhere else.

Strangely enough I'm better on a stage. I love that I feel like I blossom in front of a whole bunch of people.

I don't think that just because you go on stage you are an exhibitionist.

I like getting up in front of an audience. It's fun when you go to a baseball game and the crowd is cheering you. I can't deny it. And it's very funny, too. Sometimes you're shy; you go somewhere and everyone's looking at you, so you feel a little self-conscious.

I don't feel nervous or fearful when I'm on stage.

Some people love being onstage and really open up, and I'm sort of the opposite of that. I don't crave the spotlight. I'm still not comfortable even talking onstage.

I don't perform well in private. Socially, I mean. And I didn't as a child. Actors aren't necessarily outgoing, are they?

All due respect and trying to be as modest as I can be, I am a dancer. But I don't think I would be on 'Dancing with the Stars,' mainly because I would be too shy.

I couldn't talk to people face to face, so I got on stage and started screaming and squealing and twitching.

In high school, I was too shy to perform. It's one thing to get laughs from your family, to be funny at parties and in class. It's another thing to get up on the stage.

In social situations, when I'm surrounded by people, I become very shy. But if there's a camera in front of me, I feel free.

I've always had to conquer fear when I'm on stage. Basically, I was and still am a very shy person. It's absolutely in conflict with what I do. But once I deliver the first joke I'm okay. It's like I'm out there all by myself just delivering my lines to nobody in particular without ever trying to notice the audience in front of me.

I want to say things on stage that I wouldn't have the guts to say in conversation.

As a kid, I was really shy. Technically I am still, but when I'm performing I want everybody to listen.

I didn't used to do shows, because I used to be so shy. We'd perform, and I'd be at the back, thinking of another song. I was so shy, I ain't never getting in front of the camera; I would never get on stage.

My first-night jitters are so bad, I can't even hold a tea cup, but once I am over that, I get really into it.