14 DAY TRIAL // Only days ago, a rep for Whitney Houston was denying ongoing reports that concerned friends and family members were trying to convince the singer she needed to go back to rehab or her life would head on a downwards spiral from which she might never recover. Today, a Sony spokesperson confirms that the singer has been hospitalized in France and, consequently, UK dates have been pushed back, Billboard reports.
The hospitalization has nothing to do with an alleged relapse into drug use, though, so those worried about that can breathe a sigh of relief. Whitney has been diagnosed with an upper respiratory infection, therefore, she’s unable to go on with her international tour dates as announced. Fans who have bought tickets for the upcoming shows should hold on to them because they’re still valid.
“The opening dates of Whitney Houston’s first UK tour in 11 years have been postponed due to illness. The first three dates of the tour at Manchester Evening News Arena (April 8-9) and Glasgow SECC (April 11) have been rescheduled by promoter Marshall Arts. The Glasgow date has been moved to May 1 and the Manchester shows will take place at the end of the tour on June 16-17. The decision was made with ‘great disappointment’ according to a statement. It follows the April 6 announcement that Houston’s Paris show that evening was postponed,” Billboard writes.
Though major dates have been affected by Houston’s illness, fans should not listen to gossip or spend time worrying about the singer’s health, for she’ll be back to touring as soon as possible. “Doctors visited Whitney late last night in Paris and confirmed that she was suffering from an upper respiratory infection. Upon medical advice Whitney has been advised that she cannot perform to allow her time to recover,” the Sony spokesperson explains for the same publication.
In case fans who already have their tickets can’t make it to the rescheduled dates, they can go to the purchase point with the tickets and get a full refund. Until the world gets to see Whitney Houston perform live again, below is a video of a boy dubbed “the next SuBo,” in a direct reference to Susan Boyle. Lin Yu Chun performed Whitney’s “I Will Always Love You” on the Taiwanese talent competition Super Star Avenue and, useless to say, blew audiences away.