Justin Bieber is exhausted. The pop star, who's currently on his global Justice World Tour ― which includes two shows in Dubai next month — made a surprise announcement on Tuesday, saying he's taking a break.
Bieber, who was one of the headliners at the Rock in Rio music festival in Brazil on Sunday, posted a message on his Instagram Stories saying "the exhaustion overtook me and I realised that I need to make my health the priority right now."
The singer, 28, has been battling Ramsay Hunt Syndrome, which left half of his face paralysed. He shared news of his diagnosis in early June and his intention to postpone US dates for his Justice tour.
“Earlier this year, I went public about my battle with Ramsay Hunt Syndrome, where my face was partly paralysed,” he says in his post. “As the result of this illness, I was not able to complete the North America leg of the Justice Tour.
"After resting and consulting with my doctors, family and team, I went to Europe in an effort to continue the tour. I performed six live shows, but it really took a real toll on me," he continues. "So I'm going to take a break from touring for the time being. I'm going to be ok, but I need time to rest and get better."
Bieber has two shows scheduled for Dubai on October 8 and 9 at the Coca-Cola Arena. In the region, he was also set to perform in Sakhir, Bahrain on October 5 as well as in Tel Aviv, Israel on October 13.
The Justice World Tour has been rescheduled several times, owing to the Covid-19 pandemic and following the singer's health diagnosis.
Dubai promoters on Wednesday said they were still awaiting updates from Bieber's camp on whether or not the show would still go ahead.
Shawn Mendes hits 'breaking point'
Bieber's tour cancellation comes less than two months after fellow Canadian pop star Mendes postponed his world tour for three weeks to heal and take care of his mental health.
Mendes, whose two-year-long, 87-show Wonder: The World Tour began in March, made the sudden announcement in early July saying he's "hit a breaking point".
"I’ve been touring since I was 15 and to be honest it’s always been difficult to be on the road away from friends and family. After a few years off the road, I felt like I was ready to dive back in, but that decision was premature and unfortunately, the toll of the road and the pressure has caught up to me," he said.
"After speaking with my team and health professionals, I need to take some time to heal and take care of myself and my mental health, first and foremost. As soon as there are more updates I promise I will let you know.”
While fans hoped that the rest of Mendes's tour would pick up following the three-week break, the singer made an announcement at the end of July saying he was "not at all ready" to get back on the road.
"I started this tour excited to finally get back to playing live after a long break due to the pandemic, but the reality is I was not at all ready for how difficult touring would be after this time away," he said. "It has become more clear that I need to take the time I've never taken personally, to ground myself and come back stronger."
Mendes, 23, who first earned fame by posting covers of songs on Vine, released his first album Handwritten in 2015 and went straight to No 1 on the US Billboard 200. He has since released three chart-topping albums: Illuminate (2016), Shawn Mendes (2018) and Wonder (2020).
In My Blood, his lead single from his self-titled album chronicled his struggles with anxiety.
Russ cancels European tour after one show
Last month, American rapper Russ, who'd just performed in Jeddah, was on his way to Stuttgart in Germany to kick off the European leg of his The Journey is Everything world tour, when he decided to call a time out.
"I have to cancel the European tour. I could make up excuses so that I don’t lose money," he posted on Instagram, saying that mentally, he felt terrible.
"In the last 24 hours [...] happened that has led to some extremely lonely and empty realisations about things in my family life that have my head feeling like it’s gonna burst. I feel terrible about doing this to my European fans. If you no longer support me after this, I get it. If you don’t believe my reason, I get it. I’ve never had to do this and I feel very defeated but I can’t crash and burn and give y’all [...] performances on the way out."
Russ, who has 14 albums to his name, released his single Are You Entertained in July featuring singer Ed Sheeran.
He is set to resume his tour next month, which includes a date in Cairo on October 21.
30 concerts and events coming to Dubai, from The Script to Hardwell — in pictures
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The trio Hooverphonic, led by singer Geike Arnaert, will perform in Dubai in December. Getty Images -
Egyptian actress Yousra will appear in the stage production 'King Farouk' at Dubai Opera. AFP -
Le Trio Joubran, from left, Samir, Wissam and Adnan Joubran. Courtesy: Youness Hamiddine -
Ansel Elgort and Rachel Zegler in the 2021 film adaptation of the musical 'West Side Story'. The stage show will be performed in Dubai Opera in April. AP -
The Gipsy Kings shot to fame back in the 1980s with their eponymous album. Courtesy Dubai Opera -
Martin Garrix has been named 2022'S world's number one DJ by industry publication 'DJ Mag'. AFP -
Pakistani singer Rahat Fateh Ali Khan will perform his hits at the Coca-Cola Arena. Courtesy Coca-Cola Arena -
Iraqi singer Kadim Al Sahir will perform an intimate show at Dubai Opera. Khushnum Bhandari / The National -
Canadian DJ deadmau5 will play at the Coca-Cola Arena in December. Getty Images -
Singer Ne-Yo returns to Dubai in December. AFP -
Dutch DJ Armin van Buuren is one EDM's most celebrated artists. AFP -
Nigerian singer Wizkid is one of a new generation of African artists making inroads into the western charts. Getty Images -
Mohamed Ramadan will perform post-match concerts as part of the inaugural World Tennis League tournament. AFP -
Tiesto will bring his hits to the Coca-Cola Arena in Dubai. AFP -
Jackson Wang will perform on February 4 in Dubai as part of his Magic Man world tour. AP -
Irish comedienne Joanne McNally performs on April 29 at The Agenda. Photo: GME Events -
The Nutcracker ballet is an annual Christmas favourite. Photo: Andy Ross -
Hungarian pianist and composer Balazs Havasi will play at Dubai Opera in 2023. EPA -
The Australian singer Kylie Minogue will ring in the new year in Dubai. Reuters -
Tomorrowland's Terra Sollis features VIP rooms with sun decks, resort views and a private plunge pool. Photo: Terra Solis -
Peter Bence, the former Guinness World Record holder for fastest piano player, performs at Dubai Opera on November 11. Getty Images -
See French crooner Enrico Macias on November 12 at Coca-Cola Arena. Photo: Wikicommons -
Spanish opera star Placido Domingo will headline the lavish Dresden Opera Ball gala evening at Dubai Opera. Getty Images -
Croation classic group 2Cellos are coming to Dubai in November. Courtesy: MBC -
Watch British singer-songwriter Calum Scott live at Hard Rock Cafe in November. Getty Images -
Scottish singer-songwriter Lewis Capaldi is returning to the UAE for a concert at the Coca-Cola Arena on November 24. EPA -
Illusionist Rob Lake is performing 'The Magic of Rob Lake' at Dubai Opera from November 25 to 27. Photo: FilmMagic -
Music and street culture festival Sole DXB is back for 2022 in December. Photo: Sole DXB -
The Dubai Shopping Festival, starting in December, features concerts, family activities and plenty of shopping deals. Photo: Dubai Shopping Festival -
Pakistani singer Abida Parveen returns to Dubai at the Coca-Cola Arena on December 9. Photo: Catherine de Clippel
