Fletcher Reveals Lyme Disease Diagnosis, Says She Has to Postpone Tour

Singer Fletcher has disclosed her Lyme disease diagnosis and announced the postponement of her upcoming tour due to her health condition.

In a social media post on Wednesday, the 29-year-old artist shared her recent diagnosis of Lyme disease after suffering from persistent health issues over the past few years. Alongside a picture of herself in a hospital room connected to medical equipment, Fletcher began her message with, "Dear Fletch fam ????," and went on to discuss her medical situation.

"Hello Fletch fam, I'm reaching out to provide an update because, as you may have noticed, I've been relatively quiet on social media lately, and I feel it's important to share the reasons behind it," she started. "I have recently received a diagnosis of Lyme Disease. Over the past couple of years, I've been progressively unwell, but I kept pushing through despite sensing there was an underlying issue. For the last few months, I've been undergoing treatments, following my doctor's guidance, and educating myself about this invisible illness. Lyme Disease has taken a considerable toll on my physical health, and it has also raised concerns about my voice. This has been emotionally challenging, as singing is my greatest passion, and my voice is my primary means of expression."

According to the CDC, Lyme disease is a vector-borne illness transmitted through the bites of infected blacklegged ticks. Typical symptoms include fever, headache, fatigue, and a distinctive skin rash called erythema migrans. If not treated promptly, the infection can spread to joints, the heart, and the nervous system.

As a result of her diagnosis, Fletcher, whose real name is Cari Elise Fletcher, regretfully announced the postponement of her tours in the U.K., Australia, and New Zealand until next year. She also had to cancel her appearances in Mexico City. She expressed her apologies to the affected fans, acknowledging that they had to learn about these changes from the venues rather than from her directly.

In her message, she continued, "You all know how much I love performing and connecting with you on the road, and it truly breaks my heart to disappoint you. I deliberated on whether to share this publicly, but I've always welcomed you into my world, both during the good times and the challenging moments, and I didn't want to stop now. Unfortunately, my current physical condition doesn't allow me to tour and sing every night, and I want to deliver a performance that lives up to your expectations. I'm aware of how fortunate I am to have the opportunity to take time off to rest and care for my voice and body."

Fletcher concluded her message on an optimistic note, expressing gratitude to her fans for their unwavering love and support. "I am extremely grateful, and I can't wait to return to the stage next year, stronger than ever, to give you the best performance I can. For now, thank you for understanding and for your endless love and support. I love you all deeply. Please take care of yourselves, and I'll be back with you soon. With all my love, Cari."

Fletcher joins a list of celebrities, including Justin Bieber and Bella Hadid, who have publicly shared their experiences with Lyme disease.