Daniel Kreps
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Gladys Knight Getty Images Gladys Knight has announced that she’s begun “easing into fewer performances” following a string of erratic concerts that left fans concerned for the 82-year-old singer.
“After much soul searching I’ve decided that I will be easing into fewer performances while focusing on transitioning into the next stage of my career and life moving forward,” Knight wrote on social media Thursday night.
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“I’ll be spending more time on projects with my husband and visiting with my grandbabies and am looking forward to this new era.”
The announcement comes after video circulated online of Knight at recent performances, including a July 25 gig at the Hollywood Bowl, wandering around the stage, turning her back to the audience, and not singing on cue. When a backup singer attempted to reincorporate Knight back into the performance, Knight shook her off.
🚨 EXCLUSIVE: Gladys Knight's fans are deeply concerned she's being forced to perform shows after she looked totally out of it at multiple concerts, and now people working on her tour are calling it absolutely "tragic" … TMZ has learned. pic.twitter.com/mNai494F4q
— TMZ (@TMZ) August 28, 2026
Knight’s husband and manager William McDowell told TMZ that Knight insists on performing despite whatever health issues she’s facing. “No one is ever gonna make me say, ‘My wife is well,’ but all she wants to do is sing,” McDowell said.
However, in 2025, when Knight was on the Queens Tour with Chaka Khan and Patti LaBelle, Knight’s son Shanga Hankerson expressed concerned over his mother’s intense touring schedule, saying it was “detrimental” to her health and that McDowell was forcing her to perform, “unfounded allegations” that Knight denied in a statement at the time.
