Justin Bieber's world tour promoting his sixth studio album, Justice, got off to a rocky start after a COVID-19 outbreak within his touring team caused him to postpone shows back in February.
Four months later, the two-time Grammy Award winner postponed several performances again due to an undisclosed illness.
“I’ve done everything to get better, but my sickness is getting worse," he regretfully told fans on social media.
"My heart breaks that I will have to postpone these next few shoes (doctors orders). To all my people I love you so much and I’m gonna rest and get better!”
On June 10, Bieber opened up about the diagnosis that forced him to take a break.
He explained in an Instagram video that he had been diagnosed with Ramsay Hunt syndrome–a rare neurological disorder caused by a virus that left his face paralyzed.
"IMPORTANT PLEASE WATCH," he urged in the video's caption.
" I love you guys and keep me in your prayers."
“As you can see, this eye is not blinking," he demonstrated, adding, "I can’t smile on this side of my face."
"This nostril will not move. So there’s full paralysis on the side of my face.”
“Obviously, my body’s telling me I gotta slow down."
He assured fans "it will go back to normal. 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.”
Fans, friends, and colleagues showered the pop singer with much love, and they hoped for his speedy recovery.
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According to the Rare Diseases Database, Ramsay Hunt Syndrome is caused by the varicella-zoster virus–the same virus that causes chickenpox and shingles.
Individuals affected by Ramsay Hunt Syndrome "usually experience paralysis (palsy) of the facial nerve and a rash affecting the ear."
The virus can remain dormant among those who have had chickenpox as a child.
Especially for those who are over the age of 60, reactivation of the varicella-zoster virus can result in shingles–which can develop into Ramsay Hunt Syndrome.
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