The Queen of Nu-Metal herself—Amy Lee, frontwoman for the legendary rock band Evanescence—just dropped a wholesome little secret during a recent interview, and honestly? It’s everything. While the headline might scream life-changing, it’s more of a gentle reminder that even rock royalty needs an emotional escape now and then. And yes, that escape just so happens to be a late ’90s video game classic.
Amy Lee- Rock Star and Gamer
Let’s set the stage: Evanescence’s latest track, Afterlife, recently landed on the soundtrack for Netflix’s upcoming Devil May Cry animated series (clearly, they have great taste). And while that alone would’ve been enough to get fans hyped, Amy Lee casually dropped a bombshell of nostalgia that made everyone pause mid-scroll.
“I am a huge Legend of Zelda fan, for life,” she said.
“Ocarina of Time was my first RPG experience.”
Same, Amy. Same.
And it doesn’t stop there—she still plays it.
“I still play it from time to time to calm my heart down and put me to sleep.”
Cue the collective “awww” from fans and fellow gamers everywhere. Because let’s be honest—we all have that game. The one video game we go back to when we need comfort, grounding, or just a moment of peace in the middle of life’s chaos. You’ve pictured it in your head just reading this, haven’t you? (Don’t worry; we did, too!)
Gaming Isn’t Just Escapism—It’s Self-Care
Let’s squash the stereotype now: video games aren’t just button-mashing distractions. For many of us, they’re legit tools for emotional regulation. And if that sounds dramatic, you’ve probably never booted up Stardew Valley after a meltdown or quietly fished in Animal Crossing while processing your entire life.
Amy Lee’s pick? Ocarina of Time. The sweeping score, the low-stakes side quests, the feeling of exploring a wide-open world with nothing but a sword and a sense of purpose? Yeah. That’s the kind of comfort that sticks with you. It’s not surprising that it became her go-to wind-down ritual.
But here’s the part that really hits: she carries that love with her—literally.
Amy revealed that her only tattoo is the heart meter from the Zelda games. You know, the little red hearts in the HUD that tell you how close you are to death—or full health. It’s iconic, subtle, and deeply meaningful. A quiet tribute to a game that helped her through tough times. Maybe still does.
Final Thoughts: If It’s Good Enough for Evanescence…
In a world still stuck arguing about whether games “rot your brain,” Amy Lee stands as a beautiful contradiction: a rock legend, a gamer, and someone who openly uses games for calm, clarity, and comfort.
She’s not alone. The gaming community is filled with people who return to their favorites not for challenge but for peace. For familiarity. For that warm, nostalgic feeling that tells you you’re safe, even just for a little while.
So, next time someone tries to clown you for replaying Wind Waker or firing up Skyrim for the 87th time, just say this:
“If it’s good enough for Evanescence, it’s good enough for me.”
Because sometimes, a controller and a good story are exactly what your heart needs.
