THE FEAR FACTOR

Have You Heard About These Phobias? Discover The Fears Of 10 Celebrities!

Credit: Tim Trad

Fear is a common experience for everyone. As human beings, it is almost impossible not to feel fear in some situations. Even the most famous -those who play heroes on the silver screen- can be afraid of something, and some of them have no problem admitting it.

Many celebrities, in various interviews, have revealed which are those objects, animals, or situations that evoke overwhelming terror, anxiety, or anguish in their lives.

Join us to discover the 10 strange phobias of these well-known stars!

Credit: Marvin Meyer

The truth is, the sound of someone loudly chewing can send shivers down anyone's spine. But for Oprah, it's a bit more than that. The successful host has revealed that chewing gum triggers an overwhelming sense of disgust in her. In fact, it's been said that she banned the chewy candy from her TV show set.

According to Winfrey, this phobia stems from her childhood, when her grandmother's excessive gum chewing left a lasting impression. So, if you attend a show hosted by Oprah, it's probably wise to opt for mints instead.

Credit: Waldemar

It might be unexpected for some to learn that the renowned writer Stephen King, famously dubbed the "King of Horror," harbors fears of his own. Beyond his well-known triskaidekaphobia (fear of the number 13), King has openly admitted to having experienced Nyctophobia (fear of the dark), arachnophobia (fear of spiders), and coulrophobia (fear of clowns), among others.

Interestingly, King has channeled these fears into his literary works, using them as inspiration for his stories and characters, turning what terrifies him into art admired by millions worldwide!

Credit: McGill Library

Although the characters he plays give the impression that nothing can stop him, the versatile Matthew McConaughey has a surprising fear: revolving doors.

While it's unclear when this phobia took root, one thing is certain: the actor won't enter or exit any establishment equipped with these spinning portals.

But that's not all. McConaughey has also admitted to feeling unease and distrust with tunnels, opting to avoid them whenever possible.

Credit: Nong

In the universe of clowns, there are two types: those who give you laughter and balloons, and those who evoke spine-tingling fear. Horror fans know this well.

Coulrophobia is the phobia of clowns, and the famous Johnny Depp has been suffering from it for many years. But the most curious thing is how the actor faces his fear. Depp revealed his strategy: surrounding himself with clown imagery and paraphernalia. That's what we call bravery in action.

Credit: David Clode

For people who live in cities, the possibility of encountering snakes may be a little low, but for actors, socializing with exotic creatures on various film sets is par for the course.

However, this scenario was a huge challenge for Matt Damon, who has Ophidiophobia, the fear of snakes, a widespread anxiety shared by many across the globe.

Rumor has it that during the filming of "We Bought A Zoo" (2011), Matt experienced intense stress whenever he found himself near reptiles. Poor Matt; walking in his shoes would be no easy feat.

Credit: Alexandre Brondino

Madonna is a strong and talented woman who has fearlessly challenged many social and cultural boundaries throughout her career. But, amidst her fearless pursuits, there's one thing that can still send shivers down her spine.

Madonna experiences brontophobia, an intense fear of thunder and lightning. But this is not unusual; brontophobia resonates with countless people worldwide, making it one of the most common phobias out there.

Credit: Fabian Burghardt

From the legendary Bucephalus, companion to Alexander the Great, to the gentle steeds loved by riders today, horses have held a special place in the hearts of humans throughout history. But there is someone who prefers to avoid connecting with these creatures.

Snoop Dogg has equinophobia, the fear of horses. Although the rapper stated that he understands the beauty and value of equines, he finds himself seized by an overwhelming feeling in their presence. This deep anxiety has led him to decline roles in movies and music videos that involve horses.

Credit: Ranae Smith

It is widely known that dolphins are very social and intelligent animals. For many people, the idea of interacting with these friendly creatures generates intrigue and fascination, but for others, dolphins represent a fearsome threat. That is the case of the famous model Tyra Banks.

Despite her strength, confidence, and grace, there is a weak spot in her when it comes to dolphins. According to what she said in different interviews, her phobia began around the age of 8, when she was tormented by nightmares starring these marine mammals.

Credit: Joshua J. Cotten

Nicole Kidman was born in Hawaii and raised in Australia. And if you've been to The Land Down Under, you know how many insects and creepy crawlies are there. However, while she's developed a superhero-like immunity to snakes, spiders, and cockroaches, nature had a surprise in store to scare the actress: butterflies.

That's right, those delicate symbols of transformation and beauty that captivate many evoke quite the opposite reaction in Nicole. This peculiar phobia is known as lepidopterophobia, encompassing not only butterflies but also moths.

Credit: freestocks

Imagine your worst fear constantly looming over you. An endless nightmare, right? This may be the reality for Khloé Kardashian, who has openly shared her panic at the sight or touch of belly buttons. Her phobia isn't limited to others' belly buttons but extends to her own, leading to significant complications during her pregnancy.

The model expressed a great concern: she was afraid that her "innie" belly button turned an "outie" during her pregnancy. What are your thoughts on this unique phobia?

OLDER THAN OLDIES

Ancient Melodies: The 10 Oldest Songs Ever Recorded

Credit: Denny Müller

Music is one of the most ancient human arts. Like echoes from the past, ancient melodies can still convey the emotions, beliefs, and cultures of our ancestors.

From religious hymns to music of celebration, we gathered some of the 10 oldest songs ever recorded in human history (so far). Join us and listen to the enchanting music of past times!

Credit: Dakota Roos

Date composed: 13th Century C.E.

"Sumer Is Icumen In," often translated as "Summer has arrived," is one of the earliest examples of a _round_in Western music (a type of canon for at least three voices). Believed to have originated in the 13th century in England, this lively song celebrates the arrival of summer with its cheerful melody and lyrics. Amusingly, the song also exhibits one of the oldest recorded uses of the word "fart."

Credit: John Wiesenfeld

Date composed: 6th Century C.E.

Jieshi Diao Youlan, often translated as "Solitary Orchid," is possibly the oldest surviving piece of written music from East Asia. The ancient Chinese melody dates back to the 6th century C.E., and it was originally composed for the guqin, a traditional seven-string musical instrument. The melody is renowned for its nuances, particularly in the form of microtones - in music terms, intervals that are smaller than a semitone. A curious effect of this technique is that it makes the melody sound almost modern to contemporary listeners.

Credit: Denny Müller

Date composed: 4th Century C.E.

The "Te Deum" is a Christian hymn of praise dating back to the 4th century C.E. Traditionally attributed to Saints Ambrose and Augustine, it is still sung in churches around the world. The name comes from the phrase "Te Deum laudamus," Latin for "Thee, God, we praise." The ancient hymn is often used during special occasions such as the election of a pope, the consecration of a bishop, or the canonization of a saint.

Credit: Timothy L Brock

Date composed: 4th Century C.E.

Another ancient hymn with roots in early Christian Greek liturgy, "Let All Mortal Flesh Keep Silence" was originally written for the Liturgy of Saint James, and is still used in many orthodox Christian churches around the world. However, the modern version is actually a reconstruction that combines a translation of the original Greek lyrics with a French medieval folk tune named "Picardy."

Credit: Mike Labrum

Date composed: 3rd Century C.E.

"Phos Hilaron," also known by its Latin name "Lumen Hilare," is one of the oldest known Christian hymns, dating back to the 3rd century C.E. Sung during vespers, or evening prayers, it is also known as "Lamp-lighting Hymn," because it is associated with the lighting of lamps at night. While its composition is sometimes attributed to St. Basil, who lived between 329 and 379 C.E., some sources claim that St. Basil himself said that the hymn was already old at his time.

Credit: Claire Satera

Date composed: 3rd Century C.E.

Discovered in Egypt among the Oxyrhynchus papyri in 1918, the "Oxyrhynchus Hymn" is written in Greek vocal notation and thought to be one of the earliest surviving Christian hymns, dating back to the 3rd century C.E. Despite not drawing from the Bible (at the time yet to be written), and the fact that only fragments of its lyrics are preserved, the hymn does reference important Christian elements such as the Holy Trinity.

Credit: Caglar Araz

Date composed: 1st Century C.E.

The Seikilos Epitaph, discovered on a funerary stele in Turkey, is the oldest complete surviving musical composition. Both the lyrics and musical notation of the short song are inscribed in the pillar, and it is thought to have been written by a man named Seikilos to his deceased wife called Euterpe, or alternatively, to the Muse of Music. Since the inscription is clear and the type of notation is known, researchers had no problem in fully reconstructing the ancient melody.

Credit: Elimende Inagella

Date composed: 2nd century B.C.E

The Delphic Hymns are a pair of Ancient Greek musical compositions dating back to the 2nd century B.C.E. Composed for the Pythian Games - celebratory competitions similar to the Olympic Games - held at the sanctuary of Apollo in Delphi, these hymns honor the god Apollo and invoke his blessings on the athletes and participants. While neither of the songs is complete, there are modern reconstructions that attempt to piece together the surviving fragments.

Credit: Mick Haupt

Date composed: 1st Millennium B.C.E.

The "Song of Songs," also known as the Song of Solomon, is a collection of ancient Hebrew poems dating back to the 1st millennium B.C.E. Found in the Hebrew Bible, these passionate and poetic songs are unique in the fact that they do not explore explicitly religious teachings but rather celebrate love, desire, and the beauty of human relationships. Although there are no surviving melodies or notations associated with the poem, modern musicians have composed vocal and instrumental accompaniments to the text.

Credit: Egor Myznik

Date composed: 1400 B.C.E

Dating back to the Neolithic, the Hurrian Hymn No. 6 is the oldest known song in existence. Discovered on a clay tablet in Ugarit, Syria, this hymn was written in the Hurrian language and is dedicated to the goddess Nikkal. The tablet also includes instructions to have the singer accompanied by an ancient type of harp. Historians and musicians have tried to reconstruct the song as faithfully as possible, and there are dozens of versions online if you are feeling curious.