Dasha's Raw Confession: The Dark Side of Fame and a Mental Breakdown

EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW: Country Music's Brightest New Star Spills All on The Dark Side of Fame

In a shocking revelation, Dasha, the talented Austin hitmaker, opens up about the harsh realities of life on the road in the cutthroat music industry. Despite her skyrocketing fame and chart-topping hits, this country-pop sensation is not afraid to expose the truth behind the glamour.

Backstage at a recent Nashville show, the Australian-born singer-songwriter, born Anna Dasha Novotny, shared with TheScholarlyNote.com the unglamorous side of her whirlwind rise to stardom. "The road's really hard," she confessed candidly. "It's exhausting, and people rarely talk about that part." The pressures of touring have taken a toll on this young artist, leaving her struggling to find mental and physical downtime.

"It's not easy being on the move all the time, constantly performing, promoting, and dealing with the stress that comes with it," Dasha revealed. "The toughest part is finding ways to ground yourself and maintain some semblance of normalcy." So, how does she cope? Dasha shared her secret: simple pleasures keep her sane.

"Playing pickleball, cooking dinner, talking to my family, reading at night – these things help me stay connected to reality," she explained. "And, let's be honest, smoking a joint or two also helps... it's nature's medicine, after all!" Dasha laughed, adding that it helps her brain "shut off real fast."

The songstress's latest single, Oh, Anna!, was born out of a "full mental breakdown." Dasha confessed that she lost sight of her confidence and fearlessness, becoming overwhelmed by self-doubt. The emotional release led to an impromptu therapy session in the recording studio, where tears flowed freely as she poured her heart onto the page.

"I wrote Oh, Anna! as a letter to my younger self," Dasha revealed. "It was like the best therapy ever – I cried so much during that session." This cathartic experience is now the cornerstone of her upcoming project, and fans are already raving about its honest lyrics and raw emotion.

Dasha's music may blend country with pop sensibilities, but at its core, it remains true to its country roots. "I grew up on bluegrass – it's all about storytelling, three chords, and the truth," she explained. "But I also love a big hook, so the pop influence comes naturally too."

As the American star prepares to bring her high-energy show to Australian audiences as part of CMC Rocks 2026 in Queensland, Dasha shared her excitement about performing for an entirely new crowd. "I've heard the crowds are incredibly involved and dedicated – I feed off that energy," she said.

For fans attending the festival, which takes place from March 20 to 22 at Willowbank Raceway in Ipswich, get ready for a night to remember! Dasha promised plenty of surprises on stage, including a nod to one Aussie tradition: shoeys. "Obviously, we have to do some shoeys – why wouldn't we?" she laughed.

The first-time shoey enthusiast revealed that her initiation was a spontaneous moment in Canada. "I saw girls doing it in the audience and they threw me a beer... I couldn't resist!" Dasha joked about her impromptu participation, which has since become an Aussie anthem.

CMC Rocks 2026 is set to draw over 23,000 fans from across Australia and beyond, with nearly half of the audience traveling from interstate. This year's bill features headliners Jordan Davis, Old Dominion (returning for the first time since 2018), and Riley Green, alongside an all-star roster of international acts.

When asked about her TikTok-fueled breakout hit Austin, Dasha downplayed its viral success, insisting that it was simply a great song. "The line dance went viral, but it wouldn't have if the song wasn't what it was," she said confidently. "I focus on making music I'm proud of – the rest will work itself out."

Dasha's words of wisdom serve as a reminder to stay true to one's artistic vision and not get caught up in chasing fleeting fame or viral moments. With her upcoming project, this talented young artist is set to cement her place in country music history.

As she readies herself for her Australian debut, Dasha reflected on the country music scene Down Under. "I've heard the crowds are just so involved and dedicated... it's going to be magical." Get ready, Australia – Dasha is about to take the stage by storm!