In June, the pop star shared that he had been diagnosed with Ramsey Hunt Syndrome, a rare virus that affects nerves in the face and ear.
JUSTIN BIEBER’S FACE was partially paralyzed after being diagnosed with Ramsey Hunt Syndrome, a rare virus that affects nerves in the face and ear, in June 2022. The condition forced the pop star to cancel his tour, which was later quietly canceled in its entirety, but if he ever decides to go on tour again, it would be a shame not to include My World 2.0 single “U Smile” on the setlist.
Bieber updated his Instagram Story on Wednesday with an update on his recovery from the syndrome. “Wait for it…” he wrote on the video before smiling broadly at the camera.
He could only smile and blink on the left side of his face when he first revealed the diagnosis, the entire right side paralyzed to the point where he couldn’t even flare his nostril.
Dr. John Oghalai and Dr. Babak Azizzadeh, both paralysis specialists who did not treat Bieber, explained the diagnosis to Rolling Stone last year, saying that because Bieber’s symptoms were limited to one side, full recovery was “very promising [because]it means that not all of the nerve fibers have died,” said Oghalai.
“It could take weeks, months, or even a year to recover completely,” Azizzadeh said at the time. “People who are treated with high-dose steroid pills and antiviral medications tend to recover faster.” That should be done as soon as possible.”
Bieber acknowledged the strain on his body by postponing and canceling a number of tour dates in North America early in the Justice World tour.
“After getting off stage, exhaustion overtook me, and I realized that I needed to make my health the priority right now,” he said of his Rock in Rio performance.
“So, for the time being, I’m going to take a break from touring.” I’ll be fine, but I need time to rest and recover.”
The singer made a surprise appearance at Rolling Loud California to perform “Private Landing” with collaborator Don Toliver just days after quietly canceling the tour earlier this month. He had previously attended the opening of OBB Studios, where The Kid Laroi was performing, and had joined him for “Stay,” though he never walked onto the stage, instead singing his verse from the stairs on the side.
Bieber’s smile has returned, and perhaps so has the performance bug.
