Lisa Mishra on losing her voice: I can’t even begin to explain how traumatic that was for me

For a singer, the voice is not just an instrument but an identity. Call Me Bae actress and singer Lisa Mishra experienced this firsthand when she lost her voice for nearly six months in 2022 due to vocal nodules caused by strain and overuse.

Looking back, she says, “In 2022, I lost my voice completely for six months because of vocal strain, and I can’t even begin to explain how traumatic that was for me. There were days when I genuinely wondered if I would ever sing the same way again. When I tried to sing a note, for months, only raspy air would come out.”

The initial phase of recovery came with strict restrictions. She recalls, “Speaking was off limits for the first two weeks. I was advised complete vocal rest and told not to sing for a month and a half. Even after that, I wasn’t able to sing in a full, confident voice for several months. Certain notes were difficult to produce, while others remained inconsistent. The initial six months were the worst.”

Beyond the physical strain, the emotional toll was significant. She says, “The attachment a singer has to their voice is something I can’t explain. It’s not an external injury. You use your voice for everything. If an instrument breaks, you can replace it. You can’t replace your voice, you have to just wait. It’s an excruciatingly long process.”

The recovery was gradual and demanding. She shares, “It has been a four-year journey to reach this point. For the first two years, it was very difficult to consistently give performances at a high level. But today, I feel I am vocally the strongest I have ever been. The greatest change I made was in my technique, especially how I use the mic and control my breath, so I don’t strain my voice.”

Today, performing again feels like a milestone. “I’ve done back-to-back shows for several days, and my voice held up beautifully. This phase taught me patience, discipline, and respect for my craft,” she concludes.


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