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Justin Bieber is arguably one of the biggest pop stars in the world, the star is worth an estimated $285 million and has impressively sold over 150 million records to date, cementing his position as one of the most successful recording artists in history.
The Drew House founder shocked fans around the world in an Instagram video uploaded onto the social media platform on June 10, 2022. In the video captioned “I love you guys and keep me in your prayers” he revealed that he was canceling upcoming shows of his Justice World Tour as a result of suffering from Ramsay Hunt Syndrome, a rare viral condition that caused paralysis in his face. Here’s how Justin Bieber is dealing with his shocking Ramsay Hunt Syndrome diagnosis…
Justin Bieber shared the news of his diagnosis with his fans in an Instagram video posted on June 10, 2022. “As you can probably see from my face, I have this syndrome called Ramsay Hunt Syndrome, and it is a virus that attacks the nerve in my ear, my facial nerves, and has caused my face to have paralysis” Bieber explained.
“As you can see, this eye is not blinking, I can’t smile on this side of my face, this nostril will not move, so there’s full paralysis on this side of my face” he continued, demonstrating how his facial muscles on the right side of his face were not moving.
Bieber then explained that the next few shows of the Justice World Tour would be canceled, “I’m just physically not capable of doing them, this is pretty serious. – my body’s telling me that I (have to) slow down, I’ll be using this time to rest and relax so that I can get back to 100%”. Bieber’s Justice World Tour was originally planned for the summer 2020, but then got postponed to 2022 due to the pandemic.
Bieber ended on a hopeful note, saying: “I’m going to get better, and I’m doing all these facial exercises to get my face back to normal. It will go back to normal, it’s just time”
What Is Ramsay Hunt Syndrome And What Treatment Is Available For It?
Ramsay Hunt Syndrome is a rare neurological disorder that paralyzes the facial nerve and can abruptly take away a person’s ability to blink, smile or raise an eyebrow on one side of their face. Ramsay Hunt Syndrome is caused by the same virus that causes chickenpox in kids and shingles in adults. It can live in the body for years and be reactivated depending on varying causes.
The virus affects only 5 in 100,000 people in the United States every year, being so rare that it is often mistaken for Bell’s Palsy which is a facial paralysis without an identified cause. The condition can affect people of any age, but it’s more common in adults over the age of 60. According to the National Library of Medicine, factors that increase the risk of the disorder include stress, chemotherapy, infection, malnutrition, and being immunocompromised.
In addition to facial paralysis, the disorder can also cause symptoms of severe pain in the ear, hearing loss, nausea, rapid involuntary eye movements, ringing in the ears, vertigo and a blister-like rash in the ear or mouth. According to The Mayo Clinic, the symptoms of Ramsay Hunt Syndrome are temporary for most people, but in some cases, it can become permanent.
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The outcome for recovery from Ramsay Hunt Syndrome vary, some make a full recovery, while others are left with a permanent palsy. The paralysis is usually at it’s worst at the onset and frequently improves over the next 3 – 6 months with treatment and watchful waiting. Chances for recovery are higher with early diagnoses, with many experts saying that seeking treatment immediately (ideally within the first 72 hours) is very important.
How Has Justin Bieber Been Recovering From His Diagnosis Of Ramsay Hunt Syndrome?
Justin Bieber posted an update for fans just over a month following his Instagram video announcing his diagnosis, revealing that he is resuming with the Justice World Tour, with the first show back being scheduled on July 31 at the Lucca Festival in Italy.
“Each day has gotten better and through all the discomfort, I have found comfort in the one who designed me and knows me” Bieber wrote to Instagram, “I know this storm will pass, but in the meantime, Jesus is with me.”
Hailey Bieber gave an update on her husband’s condition during an appearance on Good Morning America. “He’s doing really well, he’s getting better every single day” Hailey began, reassuring fans “He’s feeling a lot better, and obviously it was just a very scary and random situation to happen, but he’s going to be okay.”
Hailey also expressed her appreciation to the fans who have sent their best wishes, saying, saying “Every single person that has sent well-wishes, advice, recommendations. It’s actually been really amazing, I’m just grateful that he’s fine”.
It seemed that the couple were finding comfort in each other during this difficult time, Hailey also experienced multiple health scares in 2022, experiencing a mini-stroke and revealing that she had an ovarian cyst the size of an apple.
Although Justin Bieber returned to touring in August, after playing a few shows, he came to the decision to cancel the remaining Justice World Tour dates, revealing to fans that the comeback shows had taken a significant toll on his health and well-being.
In an announcement posted on his social media on September 7, 2022, Bieber said: “Earlier this year, I went public about my battle with Ramsay-Hunt Syndrome, I was not able to complete the North American leg of the Justice Tour. After resting and consulting with my doctors, family and team, I went to Europe in an effort to continue with the tour”.
Bieber continued, “I performed six live shows, but it took a toll on me – after getting off-stage, exhaustion overtook me and I realized I need to make my health the priority now, so I’m going to take a break from touring for the time being.”
Bieber has since postponed all dates including every show date up to and including March 25, 2023.
