Lady Gaga has been hospitalized and forced to pull out of the upcoming Rock in Rio music festival in Brazil, citing “severe physical pain.”
The singer posted a photo to Instagram of what resembles an IV in her arm. “Brazil, I’m devastated that I’m not well enough to come to Rock in Rio,” the post read.
“I would do anything 4 u but I have to take care of my body right now. I ask for your grace and understanding, and promise that I will come back and perform for you soon. I’m so sorry, and I love you so much,” Lady Gaga wrote.
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The 31-year-old singer’s representatives said in a statement Thursday that Lady Gaga was suffering from “severe physical pain” that affected her ability to perform and that she was under the care of “expert medical professionals.”
She posted another photo to Instagram, showing her tattoo of “Rio” on her neck, with the caption, “I was taken to the hospital, it is not simply hip pain or wear and tear from the road, I am in severe pain.”
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The caption continued: “But am in good hands w/ the very best doctors. Please don’t forget my love for you. 🙏 Remember years ago when I tattooed Rio on my neck, the tattoo was written by children in the favelas. 🇧🇷R✝️O You hold a special place in my heart I love you.”
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Earlier this month, Lady Gaga postponed a Montreal concert, citing laryngitis and a respiratory infection. She has previously said she suffers from chronic pain from fibromyalgia.
Fibromyalgia is a disorder that causes widespread muscle pain and tenderness, according to the Mayo Clinic. Other effects of the illness include fatigue along with sleep, memory and mood issues.
Symptoms sometimes begin after a physical trauma, surgery, infection or significant psychological stress. In other cases, symptoms gradually accumulate over time with no single triggering event. Women are more likely to develop fibromyalgia than are men. Many people who have fibromyalgia also have tension headaches, temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorders, irritable bowel syndrome, anxiety and depression.
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The Bad Romance singer was in Toronto last week for a pair of concerts and to unveil her new Netflix documentary, Gaga: Five Foot Two. The film includes multiple scenes of the chart-topping performer struggling with chronic, debilitating pain and seeking medical treatment for it.
She announced at a Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) press conference that she plans to take a break from performing to focus on her health as she struggles to overcome chronic body pain.
“I’m going to take a rest, I don’t know how long,” the pop star said at the TIFF press conference last Friday.
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“I’m looking forward to reflecting and slowing down for a moment and healing, because that’s important,” Lady Gaga said.
On Tuesday, she took to Twitter to confirm that she suffers from fibromyalgia. “In our documentary the #chronicillness #chronicpain I deal w/ is #Fibromyalgia I wish to help raise awareness & connect people who have it,” she wrote.
Rock in Rio, which starts Friday, is to feature Maroon 5, Fergie, Aerosmith, Bon Jovi, Red Hot Chili Peppers and Guns N’ Roses.
—With files from the Associated Press