Luke Combs is showing fans a new kind of bravery. 

In an emotional interview with 60 Minutes Australia, the superstar opened up about his personal struggles with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) and anxiety –  revealing the challenges he faces behind the scenes.

"I do really well with it for the most part," Combs shared. "But it's something I think about in some part every day." 

Despite his massive success, he explained that he lives with an "obscure" form of OCD, which flared up particularly badly before his recent show in Australia. He did not hesitate to recall the episode that sent him down a deep spiral. 

"Probably the worst flare-up of it I've had in, I would say, three or four years, started two days before this trip," uttered the chart-topping artist. He continued to mention that the first two weeks in the land down under were "not ideal" since he was attempting to cope with "a lot of like, rumination, OCD stuff." 

For those who may not fully understand, OCD isn't just about needing things to be perfectly aligned. It's often characterized by intrusive, unwanted thoughts – thoughts that cause a significant amount of distress. 

According to the Mayo Clinic, people who struggle with OCD are typically "driven to do compulsive acts to ease" stress. "OCD often centers around certain themes, such as being overly fearful of getting contaminated by germs. You may make up rules or rituals to follow that help control your anxiety when you're having obsessive thoughts."

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"It's thoughts, essentially, that you don't want to have," Combs simply explained. "And then they cause you stress. And then the stress causes you to have more of the thoughts." This vicious cycle can make daily life feel overwhelming.

Combs' experience is intense. His thoughts are "really complex" and "really detailed," yet he's worked hard to become an expert at managing flare-ups. What's crucial, he says, is learning not to attach any significance to these thoughts. 

"The way to get out of it… you giving any credence to what the thoughts are is like irrelevant," he said. "It's learning to go, 'It doesn't even matter what the thoughts are.'" And with time, those overwhelming thoughts begin to fade.

His struggles haven't been limited to just everyday life. Combs has faced intrusive thoughts while performing on stage. He has spent "45 seconds of every minute" preoccupied with the unwanted voice. 

Looking back, he recalled having OCD since he was about 12 or 13 years old – a time when it held him back in many ways. But now, with the right tools, Combs has learned to manage the disorder without letting it control him. 

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His message? "It's possible to live your life and be really successful," even with OCD. He hopes his story can help others – especially young people who might be facing similar struggles. "I definitely want to spend some time at some point in my life doing some outreach to kids who deal with this," he said. "It held me back so many times in my life."

Fans have rallied behind Combs, applauding his courage in speaking out about mental health. Many took to social media to express how his vulnerability makes him even more of a role model, with one fan calling him a "great example" and others noting that his openness about OCD adds another meaningful layer to his already impactful career. His willingness to be real has only deepened the connection he shares with his fans.

Combs' battle with OCD is a reminder that no one's life is perfect – even those who seem to have it all. 

Photo Credit: @lukecombs on Instagram.