“I use the word “suffer” not for pity, or attention.”
Lady Gaga has confirmed that she will be postponing the European leg of her Joanne tour due to illness.
The singer shared an emotional update to fans on her Twitter and Instagram accounts, saying that her”chronic pain” has changed her life, and is currently keeping her from her fans.
Gaga recently admitted that she was suffering from fibromyalgia, an illness which can cause intense physical pain, fatigue, and cognitive dysfunction.
She issued a statement this morning saying that she would have to postpone the tour “… to be with my doctors right now so I can be strong and perform for you all for the next 60 years or more.”
Gaga included an image of herself with rosary beads wrapped around her hands.
The post reads:
“I have always been honest about my physical and mental health struggles. Searching for years to get to the bottom of them. It is complicated and difficult to explain, and we are trying to figure it out.
As I get stronger and when I feel ready, I will tell my story in more depth, and plan to take this on strongly so I can not only raise awareness, but expand research for others who suffer as I do, so I can help make a difference.”
Gaga went on to address those who had been suggesting that she was being dramatic by speaking out about her illness.
“I use the word “suffer” not for pity, or attention, and have been disappointed to see people online suggest that I’m being dramatic, making this up, or playing the victim to get out of touring. If you knew me, you would know this couldn’t be further from the truth.
I’m a fighter. I use the word suffer not only because trauma and chronic pain have changed my life, but because they are keeping me from living a normal life. They are also keeping me from what I love the most in the world: performing for my fans.”
She concluded her post by saying that she was looking forward to performing and touring again and that she loved her fans “so much.”
On Twitter, Gaga also included a press release stating that the European leg of her Joanne tour was to be postponed until “early 2018.”
The release stated that the star’s “trauma” and “severe physical pain” was restricting her ability to perform.
It also said that Gaga was sending her love to all of her fans and that she thanked them for understanding.
Lady Gaga’s Netflix documentary, Gaga: Five Foot Two, will be streaming from this Friday.
It features the singer’s battle with fibromyalgia and aims to raise awareness for the condition.
