At a recent show, Donald Glover, the versatile artist who performs as Childish Gambino, opened up about the reasons behind last year’s world tour cancellation. He broke the news to a pumped-up crowd, revealing that he had suffered a stroke and that doctors found a hole in his heart.
During a concert at Tyler, the Creator’s Camp Flog Gnaw festival in Los Angeles, Glover recalled the painful moment he realized something was seriously wrong while performing in Louisiana back in 2024. He mentioned enduring “a really bad pain” in his head. It was after a visit to the hospital in Houston that he learned, “You had a stroke,” from the doctor.
Following his diagnosis, Glover underwent two surgeries to address the hole in his heart.
As of now, his team hasn’t provided an update on his health or future plans.
Reflecting on the gravity of his situation, the 42-year-old artist shared, “They say everybody has two lives and the second life starts when you realize you have one.” He expressed warmth towards his fans, saying, “The life I’ve lived with you guys has been such a blessing.”
Last October, Glover made the tough decision to cancel the New World Tour, which was meant to support his album “Bando Stone & the New World” along with its film adaptation, citing an undisclosed illness.
Glover remarked that confronting his recovery—it was substantial to him—needed to be taken seriously.
As Childish Gambino, he built a powerful musical presence, notably with his hit single “This is America”, which tackled significant issues such as gun violence and cultural appreciation. The song became a viral sensation, racking up 30 million views within just two days on YouTube and earning him accolades at the Grammy Awards.
Apart from music, Glover is a man of many talents—he started off writing for Tina Fey’s iconic show “30 Rock,” played the lovable Troy Barnes on NBC’s “Community,” and created the acclaimed series “Atlanta,” which sheds light on the intricacies of Black life in the U.S. He has also appeared in blockbuster movies like “Solo: A Star Wars Story” and lent his voice to Simba in the 2019 version of “The Lion King.”
During his emotional performance this past weekend, Glover shared sentiments that resonated with the audience. He added, “As my wife says, which I love, she’s like if this life is a flavor, soon as I’m done, give me another scoop. You should be living your life how you want because it can only get better. If we have to do this again, it can only get better.”
Samantha Chery contributed to this report.
