Why fans should think twice before complaining about Justin Bieber

March 1, 2023

Fans of Justin Bieber have reportedly reacted with outrage to the news that he has cancelled his “Justice” world tour, an announcement which coincided with the start of Facial Palsy Awareness Week (1-7 March 2023).

According to the Daily Mail, one fan was quoted as saying:

‘So he can go out partying with his wife and go travelling to Japan but can’t be bothered to finish his tour? But also start a new album?’

Ramsay Hunt syndrome, a rare form of shingles affecting the facial nerve, is a debilitating illness with fatigue one of the more common symptoms still felt months after first diagnosed. Although Bieber appears to have made a recovery from the more obvious symptoms of facial paralysis, people shouldn’t assume he has recovered enough for the extreme demands of touring.

According to a piece in The Guardian in 2020, touring is incredibly hard on an artist’s body, and mentally difficult too. A night out partying, a holiday and even recording an album, are very different to activities where you can choose your own pace depending on how your body feels. Bieber’s illness has possibly evolved to become one of the invisible illnesses similar to chronic fatigue syndrome and empathy is called for, rather than criticism.

Facial Palsy UK’s 2018 Ramsay Hunt syndrome survey[1] found that 62% of those diagnosed with Ramsay Hunt syndrome were still suffering with fatigue more than six months after diagnosis and it is the third most common long-term symptom for those who had had the condition more than 12 months ago. In addition to the fatigue, many people also have ongoing issues with tinnitus, vertigo and facial pain. Bieber may appear to be one of the lucky ones who was diagnosed quickly and recovered from the more visible facial paralysis, but this does not mean he is having an easy time of it. Our survey found that of those who were working at the time they were diagnosed with Ramsay Hunt syndrome, nearly a third took between three and twelve months to return to work, and many jobs do not carry the same physical demands as a World Tour with long hours.

Bieber obviously does not want to let his fans down or put on a mediocre show. For this he should be applauded not vilified. This inspiring pop star has done more to raise the profile of Ramsay Hunt syndrome than any other celebrity. He didn’t hide away when his face was paralysed, he was a voice for many people who have suffered due to lack of awareness about this rare condition. Ramsay Hunt syndrome is the most misdiagnosed cause of facial paralysis with only half (52%) of people surveyed receiving the recommended antiviral drugs[2] in the critical 72-hour window which give the best chance of recovery. There are many celebrities diagnosed with the more common Bell’s palsy every year, you won’t find many photographs of them online while their face is paralysed, because many choose not to speak out and raise awareness. That is their personal choice and we respect and support that, but we are truly grateful to Justin Bieber for being so open and honest with his fans when newly diagnosed. We don’t know his specific reasons for cancelling his tour, let’s respect his privacy now and his right to decide what is best for his own health.

[1] Facial Palsy UK Ramsay Hunt syndrome survey results 2018

[2] Treatment and Prognosis of Facial Palsy on Ramsay Hunt Syndrome: Results Based on a Review of the Literature