Lionel Richie undergoes testing for cardiac-related issues after sudden hospitalization: Report
ST LOUIS, MISSOURI: Lionel Richie remains hospitalized in the intensive care unit as doctors reportedly investigate potential heart problems as he undergoes testing for cardiac-related issues.
He is also expected to be released from the hospital on Wednesday, according to TMZ. Richie was checked into a hospital after his St Louis performance as a precaution and has previously postponed shows in June after falling ill during the first concert of his tour.
Lionel Richie faces further health concerns after tour scare
Richie previously spoke about experiencing unexplained symptoms during his tour, saying that some things had happened that “kind of shook me up a little bit” because he could not figure out what was going on. He later went back to the doctor and was told he was suffering from dehydration.
The latest hospitalization follows a health scare in June, when Richie fell ill onstage and abruptly ended his concert at the Grand Casino Arena in St Paul, Minnesota. The Grammy winner was nearly an hour into the show when fans noticed a change while he was performing 'Dancing on the Ceiling.'
Videos shared online showed Richie being forced to sit down several times while singing the song. At one point, he told the audience, “When you’re feeling dizzy, sit yourself down.” He later transitioned to the piano and performed 'Three Times a Lady' while seated before stepping away from the stage.
Fans waited nearly 40 additional minutes before receiving an official announcement that the concert had been canceled. His band performed for attendees for 15 minutes after he left the stage, before saxophonist Dino Soldo announced that the singer was not feeling well and would not be able to continue.
A St Paul Fire Department public information officer confirmed that an individual was transported from Grand Casino Arena late on June 24, 2026, to a local hospital by Saint Paul Fire-EMS. No additional details about the nature of Richie’s health scare were released at the time.
Lionel Richie postponed shows before returning to the stage
Following the June incident, Richie canceled shows in Chicago and Columbus, Ohio, with Live Nation Chicago revealing that he would not perform in either city as scheduled.
The announcement said Richie had postponed his next two shows under doctors’ advisement to rest and return to full health. The statement also said Richie and his 'Sing a Song All Night Long' tour co-headliner, Earth, Wind & Fire, would perform in Pittsburgh on Tuesday.
Richie was described as “heartbroken” over postponing the shows and eager to return to performing for his fans, with rescheduled dates to be announced. He later thanked fans for their support after his health scare.
In a carousel of concert images posted on Instagram, he smiled and danced onstage while writing, “Thank you for every message, every kind word, and for all your love. I’m doing well, and I’m grateful for all of you.”
He also praised shows in Pittsburgh and Detroit, describing them as an “absolute joy” and saying the energy, dancing and faces in the crowd created real memories. He ended the message by looking ahead to Toronto.
Richie is co-headlining his 26-city North American tour with Earth, Wind & Fire. The dates follow their previous 2023 and 2024 runs of 'Sing A Song All Night Long.' He also had August shows in Malta and the UK, followed by a St Louis date, before rounding off the year with a December show in Sao Paulo, Brazil.
