J Balvin opens up to his Instagram followers about his struggle with anxiety and ‘some depression’

An emotional and frank J Balvin took to his Instagram Stories on Tuesday to inform his followers that he’s been struggling with ‘anxiety and some depression’ lately.

The acclaimed reggaeton singer, 35, explained that it was for that reason he’s been absent from social media recently.

‘Like any human being, I’ve had some challenges,’ he said in the video testimonial, in Spanish. ‘This time it’s anxiety and some depression.

‘I don’t like acting or faking my happiness or pretending that everything is perfect,’ Balvin continued. 

‘I’m like any human being. I’m fragile and vulnerable, possibly even more than all of you.’ 

‘Soon, the storm will pass and I’ll be back cracking jokes with you all,’ he added later. ‘I’m not here to act but to be real and share what I’m feeling in the moment.’ 

At the end of the statement, Balvin used his real name, Jose, when he signed off saying, ‘I love you all.’ 

The post comes after somewhat of a rough summer for the Medellín, Colombia-born singer.

In mid-August, he told the world that he had been diagnosed with COVID-19, and that it took some time to recover as he ‘got it bad,’ according to his statement on Instagram at the time. 

And later that month, Balvin pulled out of performing at the 2020 MTV Video Music Awards, just one week ahead of the event.  

No reason was given for Balvin’s exit, though it could very well have been related to his recent positive diagnosis of COVID-19. 

In addition to Balvin, born José Álvaro Osorio Balvín, canceling his appearance, fellow artist Roddy Ricch also canceled his MTV VMA performance.