David Foster's Elevator Phobia and His 65-Flight Stairway Challenge

David Foster, the music mogul behind iconic hits for legends like Celine Dion and Michael Bublé, has revealed a rather unusual and extreme response to his crippling claustrophobia: climbing stairs. And not just a few flights—65 flights. Yes, you read that right.

In an interview with The Wall Street Journal, Foster admitted, "I literally never take an elevator. It’s claustrophobia." He went on to explain that he has only been in an elevator five times as an adult, and three of those occasions were hospital-related under the haze of post-surgery medication. The other rare exceptions? Well, they were under what he called "extraordinary circumstances."

One such moment involved the legendary Luciano Pavarotti. During a recording session in New York with Pavarotti and Celine Dion, Foster attempted to take the stairs as usual. However, Pavarotti insisted he join him in his tiny elevator, complete with a little seat. The opera singer even pulled Foster onto his lap and serenaded him with a booming rendition of "Ave Maria." Sure, Foster might have been terrified, but who else can say they've had a private, live performance from Pavarotti while descending in an elevator?

Foster’s phobia has led to some serious physical feats over the years. During a stint in Singapore for Asia’s Got Talent, he stayed at the Marina Bay Sands hotel and regularly climbed all 65 flights of stairs to reach the rooftop pool. Talk about dedication—or maybe just sheer stubbornness.

But it’s not all staircases and fear-induced cardio for the 16-time Grammy winner. Foster recently celebrated his 75th birthday at the Hollywood Bowl with performances from stars like Andrea Bocelli, Josh Groban, and Jennifer Hudson. Reflecting on the event, he joked, "I called that night my funeral while I was still alive. ‘Hey, he’s such a great guy.’ ‘Hey, I’m right here!’"

When asked about what he’s most proud of, Foster didn’t mention his incredible career or his resilience against elevators. Instead, he said, "I feel really good about my children." Foster is a father of six, including his son Rennie, whom he shares with wife Katharine McPhee. McPhee, formerly a contestant on American Idol, has expressed hopes to expand their family, sharing that she loves being a mom.

As quirky as Foster’s elevator aversion might seem, it’s also a testament to his determination—whether it’s climbing stairs or crafting timeless music. And let’s be honest, if climbing 65 flights of stairs keeps him in shape for serenades from opera legends, we can’t really knock it.