British singer Leona Lewis has made the difficult decision to cancel a performance of her Las Vegas residency at the last minute, citing a debilitating sore throat that has left her unable to perform.
Last-Minute Cancellation for Christmas Show
The 40-year-old artist was scheduled to headline her festive 'A Starry Night Christmas' show at the Voltaire venue in Las Vegas, Nevada, on Saturday 20 December. However, in a heartfelt post shared to her Instagram on Friday, Lewis revealed she had no choice but to pull out to protect her voice and recover.
She explained to her fans that she had been battling the throat issue for several days and had attempted to 'push through' during her performance on Thursday night. This effort, unfortunately, exacerbated the condition, leaving her feeling worse and necessitating complete vocal rest.
Heartfelt Apology to Fans
In her social media message, the 'Bleeding Love' star expressed how 'heartbroken' and 'gutted' she was to disappoint ticket holders. 'This was not an easy decision,' she penned, thanking her supporters for their ongoing 'patience, kindness and understanding.'
Lewis directed those who had purchased tickets for the affected date to contact info@voltairelv.com to arrange either a refund or to reschedule for a later performance. Her post was swiftly met with an outpouring of support from fans in the comments, wishing her a speedy recovery and praising her recent shows.
From Hackney to Vegas: A Career Milestone
The cancellation comes during a significant residency for Lewis, which she has described as a 'culmination of my life's work in music.' In recent interviews, the singer, who won The X Factor in 2006, reflected on the personal journey that inspired the Vegas production.
She noted that the show draws inspiration from key life events over the past two decades, including her marriage to Dennis Jauch and the birth of their daughter. Lewis stated she feels both 'proud and privileged' to join the ranks of UK stars like Adele and Elton John who have headlined in Las Vegas.
'It's a big deal for someone born in Hackney to get to perform in Vegas,' she told The Sun, emphasising what it means for her family and community. She also credited Adele's residency for inspiring her own show's intimate, storytelling moments.
Lewis maintains a strong relationship with her former mentor, Simon Cowell, who she said was 'so supportive' of her Vegas venture. 'He has always had my back from day one on the show and he still does now,' she affirmed, describing him as a great source of ongoing support.
The singer concluded her Instagram announcement by promising fans, 'I'll see you back under the stars very soon,' as she focuses on recuperation.
