Good news, Little Monsters, Lady Gaga has resumed her Joanne World Tour. The singer, who went public with her battle with fibromyalgia recently, was forced to cancel many dates due to health problems. This included her appearance at the Rock in Rio festival, but now she’s back on the road to wow the crowds.
Gaga hit the stage in Montreal on Friday, tweeting a photo on stage in a pink sweatsuit with the caption, “HERE WE GO MONTRÉAL !! I’m back and ready to rumble!! Xoxo, Joanne #JOANNEWorldTour.”
HERE WE GO MONTRÉAL !! I’m back and ready to rumble!! Xoxo, Joanne #JOANNEWorldTour pic.twitter.com/dVyemcy80j
— Lady Gaga (@ladygaga) November 3, 2017
While in Montreal, the 31-year-old singer was spotted wearing what is believed to be her engagement ring from fiancé Christian Carino on her middle finger – presumably because she needs to get it sized. Gaga has yet to publicly acknowledge the engagement rumors, so it could just be a nice ring. From Montreal, Gaga arrived (in style, as always) in Indianapolis, for a Sunday night show at Bankers Life Fieldhouse.
From the plane to the tour bus #joanneworldtour let’s blast this #TornadoWatch out of the water #Indiana xoxo, Joanne pic.twitter.com/DeJLyyvrwd
— Lady Gaga (@ladygaga) November 5, 2017
During Sunday night’s show, Gaga introduced a longtime fan, Emma. The young woman, who suffers from cerebral palsy, has worked with Gaga’s Born This Way Foundation and penned a moving essay where she shared her story, recalling a concert where she was able to share these words with the crowd, “Turn to the person next to you and tell them that you love them. We need kindness now – more than ever.” Gaga, talked about Emma and her dedicated friend, Danielle, who helped her get around to classes and such and told the audience, “Don’t pity someone [who struggles with their health]. Offer your kindness instead.”
Gaga also shared some personal insight on the inspiration for her latest album, her aunt Joanne, who passed away before Gaga was born, after suffering with lupus. The singer shared that writing the songs and recording the album was a way to work through her own personal pain – a pain she said she shared with her father over his sister’s loss. She told the crowd, “The thing that makes us all the same is our pain. It’s an equalizer.”
The Indy show got great reviews, and some lucky fans were treated to a new song during a backstage meet and greet. According to Indy Star’s David Lindquist, Gaga debuted a new song, called “Frankensteined.” The song is rumored to be part of a new release consisting of songs recorded for and later cut from Joanne. Fans were understandably delighted, and expressed their joy on Twitter.
I’m glad Gaga is feeling well enough to perform and I hope the rest of her tour goes off without anymore health-related hiccups. (I really wish I could win enough money to see her when she hits Atlanta later this month. Early Christmas present?)
Photos: Getty Images, WENN.com
Having struggled with life-threatening health issues for years, one of the most difficult and exhausting things has always been dealing with the emotions of other people. I just can’t deal with people making the pity face at me. Offer cheer. Offer a distraction. Make the person laugh. Do something nice for them. Drive them to a medical appointment. Offer to make any of the millions of phone calls they need to make when trying to deal with health issues. just don’t stand there making sad faces.
+1, lightpurple–and don’t be judgey..don’t assume if we look ok to you that you have any idea of what’s going on inside..it doesn’t always work that way.
Yes, you are correct of course. I’m mourning a friend who died this summer– I did all of those things, distracted, supported, was cheerful and loving because that’s what she wanted from her friends (and told them so). My point is that it’s really hard, when you love someone, to maintain that … facade, for lack of a better word. I have another mutual friend and we supported each other through it. Even so there are a thousand ways I wish I could have been better, had more wisdom, etc. We did our best, it wasn’t nearly enough and I hope she forgives us.
Yikes, that seems like a burden right there, doesn’t it?
But you let each of those friends choose how to handle it and you respected their wishes. That goes a long way.
+1. I went through a brain tumor scare (benign, but in a bad spot, so the surgery was risky and follow-up with radiation was necessary) and still have residual disability issues. A tiny bit of the tumor is still there, so I follow up with yearly MRI’s.
I approach much of my life with a stiff upper lip, perhaps to my detriment. Sometimes a sincere “How are you doing?” from a person, followed up by listening and reflecting back is a lifesaver.
I am so grateful for the people who have been there for me, as Gaga obviously is grateful.
Yes, kindness is a wonderful gift, and the beauty of kindness is it comes back to the giver.
Wishing you well
This is true. My brother has an invisible illness and he hates pity. We went to a family therapy session where we hashed out his normal and that was his big thing. Not to treat him like an invalid but to give what we always had regardless which is love and empathy.
We could all use more kindness in the world anyways.
When I found out about a health issue, I had no patience for people. Except this one really gruff girl in the center where I volunteer.
She came up to me and said:
“Dude I don’t know what to do but when you figure what will make you feel better, you tell me.”
Then she took a pause and whispered:
“I’m getting you a coffee and I’m putting a ton of booze in it so don’t tell anyone”. And she did.
At that moment I kinda loved her.
I kinda love her too!
Fibromyalgia is an asshole. I know because I have it, and it fucks up my entire life.
Good for her for going public with this. I don’t allow myself the hope that some celebrity will be able to trigger some much needed research on this horrible topic, but at least maybe one or two people read this and start showing some equally much needed empathy for people with invisible illnesses.
I struggle with health issues myself and don’t want pity from people. But I’d gladly take it over the horrible comments and nasty disgusted looks I get on a daily because of my condition.
I don’t listen to her music much (although I think she has an amazing voice), but her compassion and kindness have always stood out.
I think we should just be kind to one another period. You never know what someone is going through and a small gesture can make or break someone’s day.
Very true. Thank you 🙂
Agree, and have experienced this many times. If you feel cruddy, a simple kindness can mean so much. Unfortunately, harshness can be the last straw on certain days. Giving AND receiving kindness feels so much better!
Well said! Wow I’m agreeing w Gaga!
I’m having health problems right now. A fibroid and a polyp that are probably degenerating right now and I’ve been bleeding for almost 3 weeks now. Minor in the grand scheme of things, especially considering that there are people worse off than me, but all I want is a little kindness and support, especially since my husband and my mother are away and he won’t be back for another 2 weeks 🙁
Corey is the gay intern who posts about Gaga and Drag Race. You’re that girl we knew you were.