Lady Gaga will not be able to finish out the European dates on her Joanne World Tour. The singer announced the decision on social media due to “severe pain” stemming from the chronic disease fibromyalgia. She previously had to pull out of the Rock In Rio Festival for similar reasons. Gaga released two statements online, beginning with a more official comment from her representatives and then a more personal note for her fans.
The official statement from Live Nation and her team noted that the pain “materially impacted” her live performances and forced the cancellation of her final ten tour dates:
“Last night, with strong support from her medical team, Lady Gaga made the tough decision to immediately come off the road. She is extremely sorry and deeply saddened that she cannot perform for her European fans, who have waited so patiently.
“She is in the care of expert medical professionals who are working closely with her so she can continue to perform for her fans for years to come.”
— Lady Gaga (@ladygaga) February 3, 2018
Gaga’s own statement took a more personal tone, telling her fans, “I love you forever” but pointing out that her illness meant she had a “need to put myself and my well-being first”:
“I’m so devastated I don’t know how to describe it. All I know is that if I don’t do this, I am not standing by the words or meaning of my music. My medical team is supporting the decision for me to recover at home
“I love this show more than anything and I love you, but this is beyond my control. London, Manchester, Zurich, Koln, Stockholm, Copenhagen, Paris, Berlin. And Rio. I promise I will be back in your city…”
Fibromyalgia has no cure, but can be treated and managed through medicinal pain management, therapy, and exercise. Lady Gaga had already postponed the European leg of her tour back in September due to the illness and highlighted it as part of her documentary, Gaga: Five Foot Two.
(Via People)
