Lionel Richie hospitalized in ICU after struggling to finish St. Louis concert

By Alejandra García • August 31, 2026

Lionel Richie has been hospitalized in the intensive care unit after performing in St. Louis, Missouri, Saturday.

The singer, 77, checked himself into a local hospital to get testing done, TMZ reported Monday. Doctors are reportedly looking into the cause of his illness as being slight dehydration.

The “American Idol” judge appeared to be struggling to finish the concert, asking for a chair while performing his final song, “All Night Long,” so that he could sit down, witnesses told the outlet.

Page Six has reached out to Richie’s rep for comment.

Lionel Richie (pictured here in June 2025) has been hospitalized in the intensive care unit after his concert Saturday. Redferns
The singer (pictured here in June 2025) checked himself into the hospital, and doctors are looking into the possible cause of his illness as dehydration, TMZ reported. Redferns

However, this isn’t the first time the singer has struggled to perform this year. Back in June, Richie was rushed to the hospital after he fell ill onstage and abruptly ended his concert early.

During the opening night of Richie’s 26-city North American tour at the Grand Casino Arena in St. Paul, Minnesota, the four-time Grammy winner was visibly in distress.

Per videos shared online at the time, Richie — who is co-headlining with Earth, Wind & Fire — was forced to sit down several times while singing “Dancing on the Ceiling.”

The “All Night Long” singer (pictured here in September 2025) was visibly struggling to finish performing at his concert Saturday in St. Louis, Missouri, according to eyewitnesses. Lloyd Bishop/NBC via Getty Images
During his final song, the “American Idol” judge asked for a chair so he could sit down. He’s pictured here last month. Getty Images

“When you’re feeling dizzy, sit your ass down,” Richie told the crowd.

Though he continued to push through his performance, he took an intermission and left his band onstage to perform to the crowd for about 15 minutes.

Nearly an hour later, saxophonist Dino Soldo addressed the audience, telling them the show would be canceled because Richie was “not feeling well.”

Richie then canceled two concert shows in Chicago and Columbus, Ohio.

Fans are concerned about Richie as he also fell ill while performing in June. He’s pictured here in August 2024. Getty Images for The Recording Academy
He abruptly ended his concert in St. Paul, Minnesota, and told the audience he was feeling dizzy at the time. He’s pictured here performing last month. Getty Images

“Under advisement by doctors to rest and return to full health, Lionel Richie has postponed his next two shows,” Live Nation announced in a social media post.

He later assured fans he was fine, though, and thanked them for their support.

“Thank you for every message, every kind word, and for all your love,” he wrote in an Instagram post last month. “I’m doing well, and I’m grateful for all of you.”


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