From Fraud to Fearless: Turning the Tables on Imposter Syndrome

Imposter syndrome is something that so many performers struggle with. It makes sense—this industry is built around constantly stepping into new rooms, working with new people, and facing new challenges. Just when you start to feel comfortable, the show ends, the contract wraps up, and you’re back to square one. That cycle can make it feel like you’re always trying to prove yourself—like at any moment, someone’s going to figure out you don’t actually belong.

But here’s the truth: you do belong. Learning to believe that can be a game-changer in your career.

Why Imposter Syndrome Shows Up So Often

Imposter syndrome thrives in environments where change is constant—and that’s exactly how the performing arts world operates. You're rarely in one place for long. You might build trust with a director or a creative team during a project, but then it ends, and you’re back in the audition room trying to make an impression all over again.

In other industries, you build confidence over time by refining the same skill set with the same team. In the performing arts, that sense of stability isn’t there. The constant turnover makes it hard to feel like you’ve “made it.” It’s easy to feel like you’re always starting from scratch—like you have to keep proving you deserve to be there.

When It’s Not Imposter Syndrome—It’s Just Realism

At the same time, not every feeling of inadequacy is imposter syndrome. Sometimes, it’s just self-awareness.

There’s a difference between thinking “I’m not good enough to be here” and thinking “I’m not ready for this yet.” The first thought is imposter syndrome; the second is realistic self-reflection. If you walk out of a dance call knowing you didn’t have the technical skill to nail the combination, that’s not imposter syndrome—it’s useful feedback. It’s an opportunity to figure out what you need to work on, not proof that you don’t belong.

The key is approaching those moments without judgment. Feeling like you have room to grow doesn’t mean you’re a fraud—it means you’re human.

Owning Your Success

One of the biggest mindset shifts comes from learning to own your success. Olympic rugby player and Dancing with the Stars competitor Ilona Maher once said that she doesn’t struggle with imposter syndrome because she knows she’s worked hard and deserves the success she’s earned. That’s not arrogance—it’s confidence.

Performers often downplay success, brushing it off as luck or good timing. But the truth is, success in this industry doesn’t happen by accident. It comes from years of training, late nights, early mornings, and a whole lot of sacrifice. When someone compliments your performance, it’s not because you got lucky—it’s because you’ve put in the work.

So why not own it? Confidence isn’t about thinking you’re better than everyone else—it’s about recognizing that you’ve earned your place.

Why We Downplay Our Success

It’s hard to own success because there’s so much pressure in this industry to stay humble. No one wants to be seen as “that person”—the one who’s full of themselves or overconfident. But there’s a big difference between arrogance and self-assurance.

Confidence means walking into a room knowing you have something valuable to offer. It means trusting that you’ve put in the work and that you’re prepared. Humility isn’t about downplaying your accomplishments—it’s about recognizing your strengths while staying open to growth.

Ilona's perspective is a helpful reminder: success isn’t something to apologize for. If you’ve earned it, you deserve to stand in it.

Letting Go of Imposter Syndrome

Letting go of imposter syndrome doesn’t happen overnight. It’s a process. It starts with shifting the internal narrative. Instead of thinking, “I don’t belong here,” start reminding yourself, “I’ve trained for this. I’m prepared for this.”

It also helps to separate feelings from facts. Just because you feel like you don’t belong doesn’t mean it’s true. Sometimes those feelings are just nerves or insecurity. The more you practice showing up with confidence, the more natural it becomes.

Another important step is learning to accept praise. So often, performers deflect compliments—“Oh, I just got lucky,” or “It was an easy role.” But it’s important to pause and say, “Thank you.” Accepting praise doesn’t mean you think you’re perfect—it means you’re acknowledging the work you’ve put in.

Confidence Without Arrogance

Confidence isn’t about thinking you’re better than everyone else—it’s about knowing you have something to offer. It means recognizing your strengths while also respecting the talent around you. There’s room for everyone in this industry, and owning your success doesn’t take away from anyone else’s.

Confidence also comes from preparation. When you’ve put in the work, you don’t need to fake confidence—it’s already there. You know you’ve done the work, and that gives you the freedom to show up authentically.

Imposter syndrome might show up from time to time—it’s part of being human. But it doesn’t have to control you. You’ve put in the work. You’ve earned your spot. Now it’s time to trust that you belong.

If you're interested in diving deeper into this mindset or exploring other interesting musical theatre conversations, check out the Broadway Vocal Coach podcast! Or check us out on Instagram, and get involved in the conversation! 

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