British pop star Lola Young recently canceled two additional performances after an unsettling collapse on stage at a music festival in Queens this past Saturday. This marks her second show cancellation in just three days.
On Sunday, Young, celebrated for her hit song ‘Messy,’ shared on Instagram that she would not be performing at the All Things Go festival in Columbia, Maryland, as previously scheduled.
The 24-year-old artist expressed her regret to ‘those who will be disappointed’ by the cancellations, stating, ‘I love this job and I never take my commitments and audience for granted.’ While she didn’t provide a precise reason for her absence, she did appeal to online critics, writing, ‘To all the people that love to be mean online, please give me a day off.’
This latest postponement follows her collapse during a performance at the All Things Go festival in Forest Hills, Queens, and an earlier cancellation of her set at the We Can Survive concert in Newark, New Jersey. A representative had previously attributed the Newark cancellation to ‘a sensitive matter.’
Disturbing videos circulating on social media show Young’s collapse on Saturday. During her performance of ‘Conceited,’ she appeared to communicate with a band member before falling backward. Onstage staff swiftly came to her aid, carrying her away from the spotlight.
Later that Saturday, Young updated her fans on Instagram, assuring them she was ‘doing okay now’ and expressing gratitude for their outpouring of support. She did not disclose the reason for her collapse.
As of Sunday, representatives for both Lola Young and the All Things Go festival had not yet responded to requests for comment regarding the incidents.
Following the sudden cancellation of her New Jersey show on Friday, Young’s manager, Nick Shymansky, released a statement via social media.
Shymansky’s statement highlighted Young’s candor about her mental health: ‘Lola is very open about her mental health, and there are very occasionally days where myself and my team have to take protective measures to keep her safe.’ He praised her dedication, adding, ‘She is an incredible person and always takes her fans, career, and performances seriously. I can only send huge apologies for the inconvenience caused.’
Before the onstage incident Saturday, Young had candidly addressed the audience, mentioning a ‘tricky couple of days.’
She shared her feelings, saying, ‘Sometimes life can really make you feel like you can’t continue. Today, I woke up and made the decision to come here.’
Young expressed her determination not to ‘wallow’ in sadness, noting, ‘Sometimes life can throw you lemons, and you have to make lemonade,’ punctuating her message with strong language.
Known for her raw, confessional songwriting style, Young frequently uses her music to explore personal struggles, including her journey toward sobriety.
In a recent interview, Young opened up about the complexities of her life, including a history of substance abuse and mental health challenges. She was diagnosed with schizoaffective disorder and ADHD during her teenage years.
Her manager, Nick Shymansky, who also managed the late British singer Amy Winehouse (who tragically passed away at 27 due to drug and alcohol abuse), voiced his belief in Young’s resilience. He stated that Young could ‘work with her mental health stuff, work with her demons — I believe she can grow, be huge.’
Shymansky concluded, ‘I want her to have it in 2025 in a way that Amy could never have it,’ implying a hope for a healthier, more sustainable career for Young.