Lizzo on Battling With Strep Throat: ‘Still Hurts to Speak, But It Really Hurts to Cancel’

Lizzo took to social media to let her fans know she’s in the middle of a nasty case of strep throat. 

“Hello Hartford, it is me,” she said in a croaky voice while dressed in a hoodie and silk sleeping cap. “As you know, I canceled my Montreal show ’cause I was experiencing extreme flu-like symptoms. I tested for COVID and it’s negative. However, I did test positive for strep throat. Though I’m feeling stronger, my body, my throat is still extremely raw and swollen. My lymph nodes are swollen, and the doctors say that it would not be wise to sing while my throat is like this.”

“In the past, I have pushed myself because I always want to bring you guys an incredible show. And I want to bring you guys the best of me,” she added. “And I’m realizing as I mature that this is not the best of me. I need to heal so that I can be the artist that you guys deserve and maintain my body. Still hurts to swallow, it still hurts to speak, but it really hurts to cancel.”

Lizzo also mentioned that all tickets for her show at Hartford, Conn.’s XL Center will be rescheduled. She added, “I’m sorry Hartford…I’ll be back stronger and better, I hope you can be there too.”

Before her strep, she got to enjoy being at the MET Gala 2023 to honour Karl Lagerfeld. She also got the chance to duet on the flute with her idol James Galway.

– Riya Sohini