Fans were left concerned after it was reported that beloved musician Lionel Richie was hospitalized and in the ICU. TMZ reports that Richie checked into the hospital after his concert at The Muny in Forest Park, St. Louis, on Saturday, August 29.
Lionel Richie’s Health Struggles
Sources told the outlet that Richie checked himself into a local hospital after his concert. “We’re told Lionel is being cautious, and doctors are looking into possible slight dehydration. Our sources say he’s hoping to be discharged Tuesday,” TMZ reports.
No further information on Richie’s health or his discharge from the hospital has been shared publicly, but videos from his performance showing him needing to sit down and drinking electrolytes have since been shared on social media.
Lionel Richie Signals for a Chair Mid-Concert
TMZ reports that witnesses told them “Lionel appeared to be struggling a bit toward the end of the show, asking his team to bring him a chair while performing his final song, ‘All Night Long,’ so he could sit down.” The moment has been shared on TikTok by a fan @lauraslifeadventure.
Around the one-minute mark of the video, you see Richie singing and briefly pausing to catch his breath while signaling to one of his crew to bring him a stool to sit on. He then sits to finish the rest of the performance. After watching the “American Idol” judge struggle through the song, fans have taken to social media to express their concern.
“You can tell he’s far from ok. I hope this isn’t his last performance,” a comment reads. “I didn’t even know he was in town! But to be honest I wouldn’t have gone, it was too hot. I hope is is ok,” another fan shared.
Lionel Richie Jokes About Dehydration
Another video taken from the night shows Richie drinking a red liquid onstage. He told the audience it was electrolytes. In the clip, which was shared by St. Louis American on X on September 1, the musician says, “I’m telling you, this stuff is nasty — but it works. That’s all you gotta remember — just drink your electrolytes, and you too can be like me.”
Richie also discussed his health struggles, saying, “Some things have been happening on this tour that kind of shook me up a little bit, because I couldn’t figure out what the hell was going on,” the St. Louis American reports. “I went back to the doctor, and he said, ‘You are suffering from dehydration.’”
Fans hope that’s all that is wrong, and social media has been flooded with well-wishes for Richie.
In Richie’s last post on Instagram, a tribute to the late Dolly Parton, fans pleaded for him to get better. “Now he’s in the ICU. Please get well soon Lionel, we need you,” a comment reads. “Praying for you! We cannot lose another legend,” a second person shared.
A third comment reads, “You better be okay Lionel!!!! We love you!!! The world can’t handle anymore heart break!! The world is praying for you.”
