Rod Stewart‘s health scare on Sunday while on stage in Utah might have been caused by the “South Park” karma.
The animated sitcom, which has been running since 1997, is known for forecasting events in pop culture in an almost prophetic manner.
Hence, when the British music icon struggled for air while performing, fans remembered they had seen a similar moment play out on their screens decades ago.
Stewart made headlines over the weekend when footage showed him performing on stage at Salt Lake City, Utah, when he began struggling.
As The Blast reported, the 81-year-old stopped singing mid-show to beckon to a staff member backstage, who brought an oxygen tank to aid his struggling breath. After taking a few puffs of air, Stewart revealed to concertgoers that he “nearly f-cking fainted.”
Nevertheless, the icon continued performing, assuring them that the “show must go on,” but not without seeking permission to take a less hectic position.
The performer proceeded to sit on the steps, continuing the concert to the encouraging cheers of the audience.
‘South Park’ Saw The Future Of Rod Stewart’s Poor Health
After videos of the incident went viral, fans quickly brought up a 1999 episode of “South Park” that mirrored what went down.
In the episode titled “Are You There God? It’s me, Jesus,” Stewart was invited by Jesus to perform in Las Vegas on New Year’s Eve to usher in a new millennium.
The show depicted the “Have You Ever the Rain?” singer as wheelchair-bound with bowel issues who heavily depended on his nurse. While performing on stage in the episode, Stewart soils himself, and his nurse rushes to attend to him.
“It’s like South Park had access to ‘project looking glass’ this whole time,” one fan wrote on X of the uncanny imitation of art.
“I can’t believe they did this with Rod Stewart nearly 30 years ago on South Park,” another comment read.
“The scary thing is Rod would’ve been in his 50s when this episode was made,” a third fan observed.
The Singer Seen At The World Cup After Canceled Show
Stewart’s health failure in Utah came a week after he faced intense backlash from his fanbase after canceling a sold-out show in California.
On June 12, hours before a throng of fans camped outside to see the London native at the North Island Credit Union Amphitheater, Stewart’s team revealed he would be a no-show due to doctors’ orders.
“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,” the statement read.
The “Maggie May” singer also issued an apology of his own. However, just a day after the cancellation, Stewart was seen at the Scotland vs Haiti World Cup match with his two sons, Liam and Alastair.
He posted a video on Instagram of the trip to Boston from his private jet, announcing that he had been to seven World Cups.
Fans Tell Stewart ‘Screw You’ After World Cup
It didn’t take long for aggrieved fans to camp in the comments section of the post, blasting Stewart for blatantly disregarding his supporters.
A lot expressed criticism that the knighted entertainer was careless about fans’ feelings, with some speculating he wasn’t sick enough to miss a show.
“My childhood girlfriends and I flew from Arizona and Houston to see the show at Red Rocks. You should have done this earlier. Screw you,” one fan slammed, per The Blast.
Another comment read, “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.”
However, a rep for the singer explained that the cancellation was out of their control as they had put Stewart on steroids the night before, but it kicked in “too late for the show.”
Rod Stewart Canceled Previous Shows Due To His Health
The California incident isn’t the first time the British singer has complied with his doctors’ advice at the last minute.
As The Blast reported, last month, Stewart axed not one but two shows in Las Vegas after he was due to perform at the Colosseum at Caesars Palace on May 29 and 30.
A statement confirmed the artist was recovering from a sinus infection, causing him to be on vocal rest until June.
The subsequent cancellations are reminiscent of when Stewart terminated six concerts in June 2025, postponing two while shelving the others completely.
