LeAnn Rimes provided a candid update to her fans about her ongoing recovery, following the cancelation of several of her shows due to a debilitating illness.
The "Can't Fight the Moonlight" singer was diagnosed with COVID-19 and subsequently laryngitis while on tour, which caused damage to her throat and vocal cords.
"Lately, I've been moving a bit slower due to this lingering illness," LeAnn began in her Substack newsletter on Monday. "My energy is returning, even though my throat is still an inflamed, swollen fireball…and having a little more energy has meant that I've started to be able to move my body again."
"I've been taking a lot of gentle walks around our neighborhood and tuning into some great music," she continued. "So, I thought I'd share what's been keeping me company. Maybe you'll find something that you love, too!"
She then proceeded to list several of the songs she had been listening to recently, including "Dance No More" by Harry Styles and "Downfall" by Noah Kahan. She also spoke about the "heartbreak" in the song "Never Told You" by Medium Build, sharing that it was "next level".
A week prior, LeAnn revealed the details of her health battle, which coincided with heartbreak at home when a family member suffered a stroke. She did not clarify whether it was someone from her family or her husband Eddie Cibrian's family, but did confirm that it was a beloved parent.
"My throat, my esophagus, my heart…hell, I even have a blister on my heel," she wrote in a Substack piece. "Oh, and I'm on my period, too. When it rains, it pours."
Learn more about LeAnn's health journey below…
"I feel like life has stripped me down and stripped everything back for the moment," she continued.
"This whole illness has been incredibly humbling. One minute you're moving through your routines, checking boxes, handling what's next…and the next, your body simply says, 'No more.' No powering through…no performing…no pretending you're fine…just rawness."
The 43-year-old then spoke about the guilt she felt each time she had to cancel or postpone a show. "For over 30 years, one of the toughest decisions and hardest inner battles I've faced every time I get sick and have shows scheduled is deciding whether to cancel/reschedule or perform, when I know good and well that performing while still half sick is not in my best interest in the long run," she explained.
"My health has to come first, or I risk possible, real injury by singing on swollen and irritated tissue."
She added: "Every fiber of me wants to push through, show up and sing anyway. But at 43, I know that honoring my body instead of overriding it is the wiser choice…for my voice, my health and ultimately for all of you too." LeAnn has been open about her health issues in the past, including about her battle with psoriasis and perimenopause.
Look good!