John Legend says vulnerability on tour is healthy

John Legend says being vulnerable on his last tour made a big difference to his mental health.

The 44-year-old singer, who continues his collaboration with Pfizer, spoke exclusively to PEOPLE about how opening up to audiences every night during his “An Evening with John Legend” concert stops has been “really therapeutic” for him.

“Everyone can benefit from therapy and speak their mind,” Legend says. “It’s been good for me to do my solo tour this year because I get to talk about my youth, my family and my upbringing and all the ups and downs I’ve had. ”

“I think learning about it and talking about it has been really therapeutic for me,” he continues. “And I think it’s important for everyone to deal with these things in their past and talk about it, whether it’s a therapist or a loved one. It’s really important for your mental health.”

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Legend’s latest tour kicked off earlier this year and runs through November with upcoming stops in New York, Connecticut and Florida. The show supports his latest 2022 albums. Legendand its accompanying 2023 LP, Legend (Piano version only).

“I was doing shows for a year, but they weren’t organized into one continuous tour, so I was doing shows all over the country, solo shows,” explains the EGOT winner. “It’s a night of songs and stories.”

“I sit at the piano and sing some of my most popular songs, as well as some songs that have influenced me over the years, and I tell a lot of stories about why I wrote them and talk about my family,” continues Legend.

He adds: “I think my fans like it because they get to know me on a much deeper level. I like to share with them in a way that they really understand the person behind the music. It was very funny”. doing this.”

In addition to focusing on her mental health during her tour, Legend is also continuing her work with Pfizer to encourage people to get the newest COVID vaccine this season.

“As the winter season approaches, I think it’s important for people to be reminded that COVID is still with us, and it can still be a dangerous virus,” he tells PEOPLE. “We must do everything we can to protect ourselves from this and its worst consequences.”

“We wish it would be a thing of the past, but it’s still with us,” Legend continues. “The fact that vaccines have been created to help protect people from the virus and protect people from its worst effects has really opened the world back up and I want to make sure we stay as healthy as we can.”

“It’s as simple as getting this upgrade that will really help protect you and your family, and I say, ‘Why not?’ the “All of Me” singer adds.