14 Singers on the Fastest Way to Recover From Losing Your Phonation

Sting. Photograph: Emma McIntyre/Getty Images

Information technology's that time of year over again, when the perfect storm of chilly winter weather and boozy holiday parties makes losing your voice almost inevitable. But surely at that place's a better way — we asked 14 gold-throated celebrities for their all-time song-cord-soothing solutions. Yous may not be contractually required to take the stage and chugalug for an audience of hundreds of expectant fans, but that doesn't hateful these tips won't do wonders for your noncombatant pipes. Accept it from the professionals: Yous're going to want to stock up on tea, and a healthy supply of Post-its wouldn't hurt, either. And did we mention that y'all should shut up?

Regina Spektor

"There are a few things you tin can practice. Immediately close up, which sucks. And write on pieces of paper. I merely attempt a lot of tea — I'thousand Russian, so we drink a lot of tea."

Rita Ora

"Oh my gosh. You can't speak to anyone. Y'all become antisocial. I lock myself in a room and don't talk. Apart from steaming the shit out of myself, that'south information technology."

Charlie Puth

"Not use information technology. That's the quickest mode. And don't whisper — a common misconception is that if yous whisper, it'due south improve for your vocalisation, just that's way worse. That's simply as bad as screaming — that'south the same sensation."

Sting

"I warm up and I don't smoke anything legal and I live a pretty good life."

Teyana Taylor

"I use an apple-juice-and-aspirin regimen that snaps my voice dorsum in seconds!"

Annie Gilded

"I don't like to have drugs, then I would say remainder, residual, rest, sleep, sleep, sleep. Don't let anyone make you sing when y'all don't think it's right to sing. Water, h2o, water, hydrate. And a lot of warm water and salt: upwardly your olfactory organ, down your pharynx, whatever you tin can do."

Patti LaBelle

"Be quiet … don't talk at all and write notes! You actually have to close up, which is hard for me to do, but y'all take to!"

Baton Porter (Tony-winning star of Kinky Boots)

"It depends on the reason. You take to know what the problem is. Pedialyte for dehydration. Sleep always. And sometimes you need a prednisone, depending upon your health."

JoJo

"I've literally been talking all day nonstop since x a.g., so my vocalization is a lilliputian sore. Only manuka honey is a good thing. Ginger. But the best thing yous tin can practise is shut the eff up [Laughs]."

Gina Gershon

"Don't talk [Laughs.]"

Lena Hall (Tony-winning star of Hedwig and the Angry Inch)

"The best thing to do is drinkable some warm water with turmeric. Because turmeric is an anti-inflammatory. Or I'll just sing through it. Sing through it in a healthy way, always."

Darlene Love

"Believe information technology or not, I endeavour to get almost eight hours sleep most nights while I'k working and no talking. Which is almost impossible."

Andy Bell (lead singer of Erasure)

"Plenty of balance, yous must rest. Don't talk too much … Well, a little flake. And lots and lots of steam — as much steam equally you can."

Harry Belafonte

"Shoot the doctor!"

Reporting past Ian Goldstein from VH1 Divas Vacation; Kat Ward from the New York Phase and Film Winter Gala; Josh Grossberg from the RFK Ripple of Hope Awards; Claire Landsbaum from the Hetrick-Martin Constitute's 30th Annual Emery Awards; Vicki Salemi from Jingle Ball; Hilary Sheinbaum from Billboard's Women in Music lunch; and Alexa Harrison from the Revlon Holiday Concert for the Rainforest Fund.

fourteen Singers on the Fastest Way to Recover Your Lost Voice