In an emotional post on Instagram, Solange Knowles told her fans she had to cancel her New Year's Eve performance at Afropunk in South Africa for medical reasons. She revealed that five months ago she was diagnosed with an autonomic disorder, and she has been quietly dealing with the symptoms. 'Sometimes I feel cool, and other times not so cool at all,' she wrote.
Solange wrote that she has been quietly dealing with her health issues while on tour, and thanked the festivals she worked with for keeping her news secret and supporting her throughout. She expressed her regret for not being able to attend the Afropunk show, but promised to return and perform another time.
According to the New York Daily News, more than one million Americans suffer from autonomic disorders. They affect the autonomic nervous system, which regulate internal organs and important functions like digestion and heart rate. It's unclear which type of autonomic disorder Solange suffers from, but these disorders are usually treated with medication. Symptoms can be wide-ranging and include fatigue, passing out, and gastrointestinal issues, according to the Mayo Clinic.
'Right now, my doctors are not clearing me for such an extended lengthy flight, and doing such a rigorous show right after,' Solange wrote on Instagram. 'As a part of the self care that I've tried to encourage this past year, it needs to start with myself, and I'm looking forward to doing a better job of this in 2018.'
Read her full statement below:
"Wrote, deleted and re wrote this like 5 times...Still not sure what exactly or how much I want to share...However it's so important to me for the people in South Africa, a place that has tremendous meaning to me and that has given me SO SO MUCH, to know why I won't be performing at Afro Punk this NYE.The past five months I have been quietly treating, and working through an Autonomic Disorder. It been a journey that hasn't been easy on me...Sometimes I feel cool, and other times not so cool at all. It's a complicated diagnoses , and I'm still learning so much myself, but right now, my doctors are not clearing me for such an extended lengthy flight, and doing a rigorous show right after.I can't put into words how saddened and sorry I am that I am unable to perform for you guys this NYE, there is simply no other place I wanted to be than there with my family to bring in 2018 with you.......but I give you my ABSOLUTE WORD I will come back with AfroPunk and deliver this performance.....as it is so extremely important to me to connect with the people who have so closely inspired me in so many ways.I can't thank Afro Punk enough for their support, and to all of the other festivals this past summer/fall who have known about my health, kept it confidential, and gone out of their way to make me feel supported while doing these shows. As a part of the self care that I've tried to encourage this past year, it needs to start with myself, and I'm looking forward to doing a better job of this 2018. This past year has been one of the most fulfilling of my life...Performing this record and experiencing the energy exchange with you guys has been astounding, and I'm so excited about continuing to do the work I feel so absolutely humbled and appreciative to be doing next year. It gives me life."
