Noah Kahan's Documentary "Out of Body" Explores Mental Health and Personal Struggles

Noah Kahan's Netflix documentary, *Out of Body*, set to premiere on April 13, offers an in-depth exploration of the singer-songwriter's personal challenges, particularly his struggles with body dysmorphia and mental health. Directed by Nick Sweeney, the 90-minute film captures Kahan's journey following the success of his 2022 album, *Stick Season*, and delves into his relationships with family, self-identity, and the pressures of fame.

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Throughout the documentary, Kahan candidly discusses his feelings of inadequacy and the impact of his mental health on his relationships. He reflects on a moment when he unintentionally hurt his mother's feelings by joking about their family dynamics during a performance. “I felt so bad about how it made my mom, in particular, feel in that moment,” Kahan shares, emphasizing the importance of confronting these feelings on camera. The film also highlights his relationship with his father, who experienced a life-changing accident during Kahan's childhood. Kahan expresses a desire to apologize for his past behavior, stating, “Him loving this documentary changed our relationship.”

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Kahan has been open about how fame has exacerbated his mental health challenges. In an interview on Jay Shetty's *On Purpose* podcast, he stated, “My mental health challenges weren't going anywhere... this lifestyle has created a lot of mental health challenges for me.” He acknowledges that while his career has allowed him to confront these issues, it has also introduced new pressures that complicate his self-image. Kahan describes moments of feeling disconnected despite external success, saying, “I wish I could wake up and not be miserable for no reason.”

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The documentary aims to resonate with fans who may share similar struggles. Kahan's openness about body dysmorphia is particularly poignant, as he notes that even his mother was unaware of the extent of his struggles. “It really came out in the documentary, and watching that back is like... I think she knew I had something like that, but she didn’t know how much it was affecting me,” he explains. Kahan hopes that by sharing his experiences, he can encourage others to confront their own mental health challenges.

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*Out of Body* not only chronicles Kahan's artistic journey but also serves as a catalyst for discussions about mental health in the music industry. As public figures increasingly address these issues, Kahan's documentary could inspire viewers to seek help and engage in conversations about mental well-being. Sweeney, the director, emphasizes the film's goal: “It’s not about a magical fairytale ending... it’s just trying to understand the things that you’re going through.”

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• “[I] always have felt physically ugly and facially ugly, mentally ugly,” — Noah Kahan

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• “I felt so bad about how it made my mom, in particular, feel in that moment, but I think that was really important to talk about on camera because I’m not sure if I would have had the courage to bring it up otherwise,” — Noah Kahan

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• “Him loving this documentary changed our relationship.” — Noah Kahan

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• “It’s not about a magical fairytale ending, it’s just trying to understand the things that you’re going through and name them and approach them,” — Nick Sweeney

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Kahan's *Out of Body* promises to be a significant contribution to the ongoing dialogue about mental health, particularly in the context of fame and personal identity.

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