Bieber shares message on social media
Justin Bieber has shared that he has Ramsay Hunt syndrome, a rare disease that causes facial paralysis. The pop star shared the news on Friday (June 10th), explaining that his Vancouver and Washington, DC shows that were canceled earlier in the week were not COVID-related.
“So for those who are frustrated by my cancellations of the next shows, I’m just physically, obviously not capable of doing them. This is pretty serious. As you can see. I wish this wasn’t the cause, but obviously my body is telling me I have to slow down,” he says in an Instagram video.
“I’m gonna get better and I’m doing all of these face exercises to get my face back to normal. It will go back to normal. It’s just time, and we don’t know how much time that’s gonna be, but it’s gonna be okay. And I have hope, and I trust God, and I trust that this is all for a reason. I’m not sure what that is right now, but in the meantime, I’m gonna rest and I love you guys.”
According to rarediseases.org, Ramsay Hunt syndrome (RHS) is a rare neurological disorder characterized by paralysis of the facial nerve, or facial palsy, and a rash affecting the ear or mouth. Ear abnormalities such as tinnitus and hearing loss may also be present. RHS is caused by the same virus that causes chickenpox in children and shingles in adults. In cases of Ramsay Hunt syndrome, previously inactive (dormant) varicella-zoster virus is reactivated and spreads to affect the facial nerve.
As of this writing, it’s unclear if Bieber is postponing the remaining tour dates that are set to include two shows at New York’s Madison Square Garden next week.
Having sold in excess of 1.3 million tickets so far and selling out 31 dates within minutes, the tour travels to more than 30 countries and playing more than 125 shows from May 2022 through March 2023.
