Steven Wright Quotes

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

I'm hideously shy as myself, but on stage I can run around naked and bite the heads off fish.

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.

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 conquered my stage fright a long time ago. In my line of work, it's kind of a pre-requisite that you not feel bad about looking stupid in front of a lot of people.

Performing didn't feel comfortable until I was about 17. I loved to sing, but I always said I would never perform because I was too scared.

I'm kind of an introvert, so I really do have to get over some anxiety to get on stage and connect with an audience. Once I do, it's amazing, but it is a bit of a struggle.

I'm still finding my feet in many ways as a performer. I'm not an extrovert, and certainly the attention isn't what drew me to it, and I find that quite jarring at times. I used to stress a lot about shows and get palpitations before shows, but eventually you learn to love it, and it is a thrill.

I used to hate performing in front of anybody, but I was forced to sing in front of family, at family gatherings. Then it slowly developed, and I started to love it.

I don't feel like I'm the type of performer who's going to knock your socks off. I'm trying to get over my nerves.

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.

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.

It seems like a contradiction, but the shy person who is a performer actually does make sense, because in a way, when you're young and shy, making people laugh is a good way to make friends. It's an instant connection.

I used to be afraid of looking at the audience.

I'm kind of shy, and I think that I take that out by performing in front of a lot of people. That's how I get out my shyness.

Nobody was listening when I learned how to play music. But there's something about being on stage, talking to the audience, looking at them and smiling, that's always been difficult for me. I'm a lot more comfortable now, but there are still moments of awkwardness.

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

I loathe the idea of going onstage in a T-shirt and jeans.

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 still sweat bullets if I go on The Tonight Show, but I tell myself, You can either have fun tonight or you can be shy and miserable. You ask my friends or anyone I work with now - nobody would say I was shy.

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

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 am always scared before going on stage; this is the fear which makes me do well.

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.