Kehlani has canceled two upcoming concerts after being hospitalized with an illness that left her unable to swallow and in severe pain. The 31-year-old singer announced the cancellations on Instagram on Wednesday, August 26, saying she had been advised by doctors not to perform at her next two scheduled shows.
“After two off days feeling completely normal, I’ve been up all night unable to swallow & in so much pain,” Kehlani wrote. “I just left the hospital & am not cleared to sing for the next two shows. I’m so sorry.”
The cancellations affect scheduled performances in Camden, New Jersey, and Washington, D.C. Kehlani did not disclose what illness caused her symptoms or provide additional details about her hospitalization.
Kehlani Apologizes to Fans
Kehlani Cancels Concerts After Hospitalization for Being “Unable to Swallow” https://t.co/B4YtE87lrg
— E! News (@enews) August 26, 2026
Following the announcement that she was hospitalized, Kehlani expressed her disappointment over having to cancel the shows and said her team was working on a solution for affected fans.
“Camden & DC. My team is working on a solution,” she wrote. “Breaks my heart to have to ever do this. I do everything I’m supposed to to ensure my health stays up to par & it still isn’t guaranteed. We will pick back up in Virginia.”
The singer is currently on the North American leg of her Kehlani World Tour. Her next scheduled performance is set for Saturday, August 29, at the Allianz Amphitheater at Riverfront in Richmond, Virginia.
It remains unclear whether her recent illness will affect that performance. Her team has not announced any additional cancellations.
The Singer Recently Discussed Her Health
Kehlani shares she had to go back to the hospital and isn’t cleared to sing for the next two shows. Hope she recovers and heals quickly. She will pick her tour back up in Virginia. pic.twitter.com/LlIbmU6AkO
— Bodega Baddie (@SunnyBanks_) August 26, 2026
The latest health update comes shortly after Kehlani spoke about her physical and mental wellness in a Billboard cover story published August 20.
During the interview, the singer discussed the routines she follows to maintain her well-being while managing the demanding schedule that comes with her music career. She said exercise, yoga, walking, spending time in nature, prayer, and maintaining a consistent routine are important parts of her life.
“I take medicine,” Kehlani told Billboard. “I have to go to the gym; it’s not an option. I have to do yoga, take walks. I have to spend time in nature: sit in the park or go wiggle my toes in somebody’s grass. I have to build a relationship with God. I have to pray.”
Kehlani also explained how the music industry’s irregular hours can make maintaining healthy habits difficult.
“You get in this cycle where you wake up at 6 p.m. because you were at the studio until 7 a.m.,” she said. “You’ve missed a whole day of sunshine. There’s no meal. You go back to the studio at 8 p.m.”
She added that having a routine that supports her wellness is necessary for her to manage the demands of her career.
Kehlani World Tour Continues
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Kehlani’s North American tour began August 6 at the Armory in Minneapolis. The trek is scheduled to continue through October 3, when it is set to conclude at Shoreline Amphitheatre in San Francisco.
Before launching the tour, Kehlani also performed at the 2026 Roots Picnic in Philadelphia on May 31. She shared the stage with artists including Brandy, T.I., and Erykah Badu.
The Camden and Washington, D.C., cancellations are the first two shows she has announced she will miss during the current North American run.
Fans are now waiting for further information from Kehlani or her team regarding her recovery and whether she will be able to perform in Richmond on August 29.
A Busy Year for the Grammy Winner
BIG NIGHT AT THE GRAMMYS: @Kehlani just scored two Grammy wins at the 68th Annual Grammy Awards for her breakout R&B anthem “Folded.” 🌟
She took home both Best R&B Performance and Best R&B Song for the track, marking a major milestone in her career and solidifying “Folded” as… pic.twitter.com/sFKt6FJMUd
— Power 105.1 (@Power1051) February 1, 2026
The illness comes during a busy year for the singer, who released her fifth full-length studio album, “Kehlani,” in April. The project followed her 2024 album “Crash” and includes “Back and Forth,” a collaboration with Missy Elliott.
The singer also earned Grammy recognition in 2026, including a win for Best R&B Performance for “Folded.”
For now, Kehlani has not revealed further details about the illness that led to her being hospitalized. Her latest statement indicates that she is following medical advice and taking time away from performing before returning to the stage.
Featured image: @thekehlaniworldtour/Instagram
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