Gladys Knight, the 82-year-old Grammy-winning singer, announced Thursday that she will be scaling back her touring schedule to focus on family and a new phase of her life. The decision comes after a period where reports suggested the legendary performer appeared disoriented during some recent concerts.
Knight shared her announcement on Instagram, stating, "After much soul searching, I’ve decided that I will be easing into fewer performances." She expressed gratitude to her fans for their support throughout her career, calling it a "little girl's dream come true." The singer indicated her intention to dedicate more time to projects with her husband and manager, William McDowell, and to spend time with her grandchildren.
Recent performances have led to speculation about Knight's well-being. According to TMZ, during some shows, Knight appeared confused and often ceded lead vocals to backup singers. One concert video showed her turning her back to the audience during her hit "Midnight Train to Georgia" while ignoring a backup singer's attempt to guide her back on stage.
Last August, during the Queens Tour with Patti LaBelle, Chaka Khan, and Stephanie Mills, Knight's son, Shanga Hankerson, told People that the tour schedule was "detrimental" to her health. At the time, Knight refuted these claims to the magazine, asserting that she was "healthy and happy and visiting friends and family these last few months."
Knight, widely known as the "Empress of Soul," has had a career spanning decades, marked by numerous hit songs and critical acclaim. She is set to perform during the first weekend of the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival on April 25, 2025.