Laufey Reveals the One Thing She’s Still Terrified of Doing Onstage

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        <h1 class="entry-title">Laufey Admits Why Making Eye Contact with Fans Still Terrifies Her</h1>
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            <img src="https://www.billboard.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/image004-e1786420573847.png?w=824&amp;h=526&amp;crop=1" alt="Laufey on The Hit Network's Hot Hits with Nic &amp; Loren" decoding="async" />
            <figcaption>Laufey on The Hit Network's Hot Hits with Nic &amp; Loren — <em>The Hit Network</em></figcaption>
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        <p>Despite headlining massive arenas across the globe, Grammy-winning artist Laufey confesses that one particular aspect of performing continues to unnerve her: locking eyes with someone in the crowd.</p>

        <p>During an appearance on <em><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WCEGZ7fQEaM" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">The Hit Network’s Hot Hits with Nic &amp; Loren</a></em>, the classically trained musician traced this lingering performance anxiety back to her instrumental roots.</p>

        <p>“I grew up playing the cello and used to inadvertently lock eyes with someone in the audience,” she shared, recalling a stern piece of advice from a former teacher after a recital: <em>“You can’t stare directly at people while you’re playing; it’s unsettling.”</em> The warning left a lasting impression. “Ever since then, I’ve been terrified of creeping people out. It’s always on my mind.”</p>

        <p>Naturally, there is one emotional exception. Laufey purposefully scans the venue for younger listeners while closing her set with “Letter to My 13 Year Old Self.”</p>

        <p>“Since it’s essentially a message to my younger self, I love spotting young girls in the crowd and making eye contact,” she explained. “However, sometimes they end up crying, which immediately sets me off. So, that’s another reason why sustained eye contact can be a bit overwhelming.”</p>

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                <iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/WCEGZ7fQEaM" title="Laufey Interview" allowfullscreen></iframe>
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        <p>Counterintuitively, the songstress finds that colossal arenas actually cultivate a deeper sense of intimacy than more intimate theaters.</p>

        <p>“In an arena, I’m completely enveloped by the crowd, which makes me feel remarkably close to everyone. I get to walk along the barricade and connect up close,” she noted, adding that the contrast between a massive room and the delicate nature of her music elevates the emotional resonance.</p>

        <p>Laufey also touched upon a delightfully surreal perk of her mainstream crossover: being recognized for her virtual <em>Fortnite</em> avatar.</p>

        <p>“I was at a restaurant recently, and our waitress suddenly asked, ‘Are you the one from *Fortnite*?’” she laughed. “Occasionally, I’ll cross paths with another player using my skin, and we’ll just end up shooting at each other in the game.”</p>

        <p>These anecdotes arrive on the heels of a monumental career milestone for the Icelandic-Chinese sensation. Her critically acclaimed third studio album, <em>A Matter of Time</em>, debuted at No. 4 on the Billboard 200 in September 2025—marking her very first top 10 entry and the highest-charting jazz record since 2018. Simultaneously, the album dominated Billboard’s Jazz Albums, Traditional Jazz Albums, Independent Albums, and Vinyl Albums charts.</p>

        <p>Building on that momentum, the record secured Best Traditional Pop Vocal Album at the 2026 Grammy Awards, sealing her second consecutive victory in the category following her 2023 triumph with <em>Bewitched</em>. Having recently wrapped a stellar eight-show Australian tour, Laufey continues to enchant audiences worldwide on her own unique terms.</p>
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