Rod Stewart is finally addressing the backlash he endured after he was spotted enjoying a World Cup match shortly after disappointing his fans.
The British icon was forced to cancel his June 12 shows due to health issues, leaving concertgoers in distress.
However, Stewart is now explaining what prompted his decision, saying he attended the event not for his satisfaction but for his family’s sake.
The “Maggie May” singer, for the first time since the scandal, spoke out about the criticism he endured, saying he wishes he hadn’t attended the game.
“I really shouldn’t have gone to the Haiti game,” Stewart told Talk Sport. “I had to cancel a show the night before because I just had no voice left.”
Although his shaky health was the reason behind terminating the show, the iconic singer noted he went to the soccer game mainly because of his two sons, Liam and Alastair.
“The truth is…I wasn’t going to let my two sons down. I promised them since they were born that we’re going to go to a World Cup, and this is the first one that’s come about.”
Nevertheless, Stewart has every intention of taking accountability for his error, admitting that “it wasn’t a good look.”
The Singer Followed Doctor’s Advice To Axe His Show
Hours before Stewart was set to take the stage at the North Island Credit Union Amphitheater, with a throng of fans queuing outside the venue, his team released a statement.
“On the advice of his doctors and following a diagnosis of an acute upper respiratory infection that has resulted in laryngitis, he is unable to take the stage this evening,” it read, per The Blast.
The London native also spoke out, explaining that while he got treatment for his condition and felt better, his voice just couldn’t come through.
Offering his apologies, Stewart noted he was “very disappointed.” He also canceled his show at the Red Rocks Park and Amphitheater in Colorado, which was scheduled for June 15.
Rod Stewart Bashed For Traveling To Boston After Canceling Performance
As concertgoers still grappled with the disappointment, Stewart, on the other hand, flew to Boston to catch the Scotland vs Haiti match.
The 81-year-old took to Instagram to detail the adventure, sharing a video of himself and his two sons in a private jet. He gushed about having attended seven World Cups, while this was his children’s first.
Stewart was also photographed at the match, vibrantly celebrating when Scotland won. Unfortunately, his post only further angered fans, who slammed it as tone-deaf.
“Hey Rod, lost a little respect for you canceling your concert the night before, disappointing a stadium full of people,” one fan commented.
Another user wrote, “For someone who was sick enough to cancel his show last minute in San Diego yesterday, you sure seem hyped up enough to party with the boys in Boston today.”
The 81-Year-Old Almost Fainted While On Stage
After the series of canceled shows, Stewart made his comeback on stage at the Utah First Credit Union Amphitheater on Saturday, June 20.
Unfortunately, the concert wasn’t without a hitch as the singer’s health issue reared its ugly head. As The Blast reported, Stewart was seen evidently struggling while performing, causing him to stop and signal backstage for aid.
Immediately, a staff member rushed on stage with an oxygen tank out of which Stewart took a few puffs before turning to the crowd to say, “I nearly f-cking fainted.”
Concertgoers urged the legendary singer to take a break and attend to himself, but Stewart soldiered on, telling them nothing must disrupt the show. He, however, asked to sit on the stairs for the rest of the performance.
Was Rod Stewart’s Health Fail A ‘South Park’ Prophecy?
Stewart’s struggle on stage quickly went viral, and eagle-eyed fans pointed out that it seemed to be a case of life imitating art.
It turns out that an old episode of the beloved sitcom, “South Park,” predicted that the “Have You Ever Seen The Rain” singer would have a health episode while performing.
According to The Blast, in the 1999 episode titled “Are You There God? It’s me, Jesus.” Stewart was booked to perform on New Year’s Eve in Las Vegas.
He appeared on stage in a wheelchair while struggling with bowel issues. Almost like the real-life Utah incident, the animated Stewart messed himself up, causing a nurse to rush on stage.
“I can’t believe they did this with Rod Stewart nearly 30 years ago on South Park,” a shocked fan declared.
