Country music star Luke Combs recently shared a deeply personal and vulnerable side of himself during an appearance on the New York Times podcast, Popcast, on Tuesday, February 24. Joined by music critic Jon Caramanica and reporter Joe Coscarelli, Combs discussed a range of topics, including his Billboard Hot 100 No. 2 cover of Tracy Chapman’s “Fast Car,” his early musical inspirations, and the role of politics within country music.

A pivotal moment of the interview unfolded when Combs was asked to draw a card from a standard deck, which determined a pre-written question. Upon selecting the 4 of spades, he was confronted with the question: “What self-doubt did you face on the way to stardom?” In a rare moment of extreme candor, Combs revealed his long-standing struggles with body image, expressing his fear that his physical appearance might hinder his chances at success in the music industry. He openly stated, “Definitely my appearance. It was like, am I really not going to get a shot because I’m just like a bigger dude or whatever?”

Combs elaborated that despite his unwavering confidence in his musical abilities—both performing and songwriting—he constantly worried that his looks would prevent him from achieving stardom. He described this realization as a “hard pill to swallow, ’cause you can’t really change the way you look.” Coscarelli then inquired if anyone on Combs’ team had ever pressured him to alter his image or if he felt the need to emulate other country stars like Sam Hunt.

The singer clarified that while he hasn't been pressured, he has made personal dietary changes, including fasting and adopting a gluten-free regimen. These changes, he explained, were primarily motivated by mental health, helping to alleviate symptoms of a “really rare form of OCD” that he has battled throughout his life, as well as managing insulin resistance. Despite these efforts, Combs admitted that his struggle with weight persists, stating, “I have always struggled with my weight. It bugs me a lot that I can’t figure it out.”

Combs also discussed the immense challenge of balancing his physical and mental well-being, his responsibilities as a father to three children, and his demanding career as a performer. He acknowledged the difficulty but expressed a preference for tackling hardships head-on, avoiding what he considers the “easy way out.” This philosophy extends to his personal decision to forgo weight-loss drugs. He asserted, “I don’t want my life to be this life of ease. I like when stuff’s hard.” Reflecting on his career, he noted that despite tough days, his job doesn't compare to physically demanding labor. “Sure there were days that were tough. Sure there were times I was tired,” he said. “But I’m not out digging ditches. It’s not that hard of a job.”

For Combs, his battle with body image remains the one significant challenge he has yet to conquer, but he is resolute in his approach. “And I will do it; but I’m not gonna do it the short way,” he affirmed, while also acknowledging that others may choose different paths. Following the podcast’s release, a clip of the body image discussion was shared on Popcast’s Instagram page, drawing an outpouring of support from fans and industry peers alike. Brandi Carlile commented, “I really love him,” while folk singer Willi Carlisle expressed, “As a fellow huge dude in showbiz instead of digging ditches, I feel so seen by this and really appreciate it.” Model and singer Gabriella Lascano also praised his “honesty.” This profound level of honesty is expected to resonate throughout Combs’ upcoming album,