Kehlani cancels two concerts after hospitalisation for being 'unable to swallow and in so much pain'

Kehlani has cancelled two upcoming concerts after being hospitalised with a sudden illness that left the singer unable to swallow and in severe pain.

The 31-year-old Grammy-nominated artist shared the news on Instagram on August 26, explaining that she had felt completely normal during two days off before becoming seriously unwell overnight. She said she had been “unable to swallow & in so much pain” and had just left the hospital when she learned she was not cleared to perform.

“I just left the hospital & am not cleared to sing for the next two shows,” Kehlani wrote, apologising to fans in Camden, New Jersey, and Washington, DC. “My team is working on a solution.”

The singer had been scheduled to perform at the Freedom Mortgage Pavilion in Camden on August 26 and at Merriweather Post Pavilion in Columbia, Maryland, on August 27. Both shows have now been cancelled because of her illness.

Kehlani did not disclose a diagnosis or provide further details about what caused the sudden health issue. Her team is working on arrangements for the affected performances, while the singer indicated that she hopes to return to the stage soon.

“Breaks my heart to have to ever do this,” she wrote. “I do everything I’m supposed to to ensure my health stays up to par & it still isn’t guaranteed.”

The cancellations come as Kehlani is in the middle of the North American leg of her Kehlani World Tour. Despite the setback, she said the tour will resume in Richmond, Virginia, on August 29, where she is scheduled to perform at the Allianz Amphitheater at Riverfront.

The singer has recently spoken openly about the importance of maintaining her physical and mental health while dealing with the demands of touring. In an August 20 Billboard interview, Kehlani discussed the routine she relies on to stay balanced, including medication, exercise, yoga, walks, spending time in nature and prayer.

“You get in this cycle where you wake up at 6 p.m. because you were at the studio until 7 a.m.,” she explained, describing the difficult schedule that can come with working in the music industry. She said maintaining a wellness routine is necessary for her to keep up with the demands of her career.

Kehlani has also previously discussed undergoing sinus surgery after years of breathing difficulties caused by blocked nasal passages. It is not clear whether that procedure has any connection to her latest illness.

The singer's North American tour is scheduled to continue through September before wrapping up in San Francisco in early October. She is also scheduled for international dates later in the year.

For now, Kehlani has asked fans to look out for updates from her team regarding the cancelled Camden and D.C.-area shows, while she focuses on recovering and getting back on stage.