Former Nightwish singer Tarja Turunen recently opened up about the physical challenges of touring at 50 years old. She revealed a significant change she’s had to make to her stage performance style. The singer shared her experience in an interview with Jaimunji.
Turunen explained how a recent tour experience forced her to reconsider her footwear choices for performances. She cited health concerns that arose after wearing high heels during shows.
“I had a tour, seven shows in seven days in Germany, recently, and I was wearing high heels. And I hadn’t worn high heels since maybe three years or something like that. And it was a mistake, because I came back home, and I had a severe pain again on my heels,” Turunen said.
The singer described how her doctor’s reaction confirmed her decision to abandon high heels for future performances.
“So yeah, it was a sign. And my doctor, I went to see my doctor, and she was, like, ‘What have you done?’ I said, ‘Yeah, because I love wearing high heels.’ [Laughs] But those times are over,” she continued.
Turunen also discussed her current approach to maintaining her physical health as she approaches her 50th birthday.
“[I get] a lot of practice, obviously, physical training. Now I get to be at home. I get to be at home. I have my PT [physical therapist] coming over, and I’m really working out. It’s good. And I’m turning 50 next year, so nothing is staying, let’s say. You need to work it out [laughs] or the gravity will take it. [Laughs],” she explained.
This candid discussion about aging and performance adjustments comes from an artist who has spent decades perfecting her stage presence and vocal craft.
Wikipedia reported that Turunen served as Nightwish’s lead vocalist from the band’s formation in 1996 until her dismissal in 2005 due to musical differences. Following her departure from the Finnish symphonic metal band, she launched a successful solo career with albums like My Winter Storm (2007) and What Lies Beneath (2010).
The singer’s classical foundation has been instrumental in shaping her distinctive sound throughout her career. Wikipedia documented that Turunen trained in classical voice at the Sibelius Academy in Helsinki and is renowned for her lyric soprano range. Her ability to seamlessly blend operatic techniques with heavy metal became a defining characteristic of Nightwish’s symphonic sound.
Despite the physical challenges she now faces, Turunen continues to remain musically active. Tarja Turunen’s official site and Blabbermouth.net confirmed that she released her ninth solo album Yes in 2023, which blended symphonic metal with electronic elements. This was followed by the 2025 live album Yes: Live in Europe, captured during her European tour.
The interview highlighted the practical adjustments touring musicians must make as they age to maintain their health and performance capabilities. It demonstrated how even established artists must adapt their approach to continue delivering powerful performances.
