“I think my fans love it because they get to know me in a much deeper way,” the musician tells PEOPLE of being vulnerable on stageNicholas Rice is a Staff Editor for PEOPLE Magazine. He began working with the brand as an Editorial Intern in early 2020, before later transitioning to a freelance role, and then staff positions soon after. Nicholas writes and edits anywhere between 7 to 9 stories per day on average for PEOPLE, spanning across each vertical the brand covers.

John Legend. PHOTO: JO HALE/REDFERNS

John Legend says that being vulnerable on his latest tour has made a world of difference for his mental health.

The singer, 44 — who is continuing his partnership with Pfizer — spoke exclusively to PEOPLE about how opening himself up to audiences each night during his “An Evening with John Legend” concert stops has been “really therapeutic” for him.

“Everybody can use therapy and talking things out,” Legend says, “It’s been good for me being on my solo tour this year, because I talk about my youth, my family and my upbringing, and all the ups and downs I had.”

“I think exploring that and talking about that has been really therapeutic for me,” he continues. “And I think it’s important for everybody to kind of deal with those things in their past and talk about those things, whether it’s to a therapist or to your loved one. That’s really important for your mental health.”

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John Legend performs in Las Vegas on Oct. 7, 2023. BRYAN STEFFY/GETTY

Legend’s latest tour began earlier this year, and it’s scheduled to continue through November, with upcoming stops in New York, Connecticut and Florida. The show supports his latest albums, 2022’s Legend, and its 2023 companion LP, Legend (Solo Piano Version).

“I’ve been doing shows throughout the year, but they haven’t been kind of organized into one continuous tour, so it’s shows I’ve been doing throughout the country, solo shows,” the EGOT winner explains. “It’s a night of songs and stories.”

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

He adds: “I think my fans love it because they get to know me in a much deeper way. I love sharing myself in that way with them, so they really understand the full person behind the music. It has been a lot of fun doing that.”

John Legend.DIMITRIOS KAMBOURIS/GETTY

In addition to focusing on his mental health during his tour, Legend is also continuing his work with Pfizer to encourage people to get this season’s latest COVID vaccine.

“As the winter season is coming, I think it’s important that people are reminded COVID is still with us, and it can still be a dangerous virus,” he tells PEOPLE. “We should do all we can to help protect from it and its worst effects.”

“We would love it to be a thing of the past, but it’s still with us,” Legend continues. “The fact that the vaccines have been here 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 that update to really help protect you and your family, and I say, ‘Why not?’ ” the “All of Me” crooner adds.