Lionel Richie has reportedly been admitted to an intensive care unit in St. Louis after appearing to struggle during a weekend performance.
The 77-year-old music legend checked himself into a local hospital following his Saturday night concert at The Muny in Forest Park, according to TMZ.
Doctors are reportedly treating Richie for possible dehydration, with the singer entering the hospital as a precaution. He is expected to remain there for testing until at least Tuesday, September 1.
Fans who attended the concert said Richie appeared to be having a difficult time toward the end of the show.
According to concertgoers, the “Hello” singer asked members of his team to bring him a chair during his final song so he could finish the performance while sitting down.
The hospitalization comes just months after another frightening health scare onstage.
Richie was hospitalized after falling ill during a June 24 concert at the Grand Casino Arena in St. Paul, Minnesota, on the opening night of his Sing A Song All Night Long tour.
During that performance, witnesses said Richie began “swaying uncontrollably” while singing “Dancing on the Ceiling.”
The veteran performer eventually sat down and told the audience he was feeling dizzy. Videos posted online showed him repeatedly taking a seat before remaining seated while performing “Three Times a Lady.”
Richie tried to make light of the scary moment while speaking to the crowd.
“What I have learned about my years of being in the business. When you are feeling dizzy, sit your a– down,” he joked.
He added that it was the first time he had ever performed “Dancing on the Ceiling” while sitting down.
“That’s a bad sign, y’all,” Richie told the audience.
The concert was eventually paused for an intermission. His band remained onstage for roughly 15 minutes before leaving.
Despite the scare, Richie quickly returned to performing.
He was back onstage just days later at PPG Paints Arena in Pittsburgh on June 30, where he acknowledged that fans had been worried about him.
“I had you worried there for a minute, huh?” Richie told the audience.
He later reassured fans in a July 5 social media post, saying he was doing well and thanking everyone for their messages and support.
But Richie’s latest hospitalization is once again raising concerns about whether the legendary entertainer may be pushing himself too hard.
An insider previously claimed that Richie’s family, friends and bandmates have become increasingly worried about his health and demanding schedule.
“Family, friends, and even his bandmates are definitely concerned about Lionel’s health, but nobody is about to tell him to slow down,” the source said.
The insider described Richie as someone who is constantly working and already thinking about his next performance.
“The Lionel we see on tour and on American Idol is the same Lionel we have known for decades — he’s always moving, always working, and always looking ahead to the next show,” the source said.
For now, however, Richie’s return to the stage could depend on what doctors discover during his latest round of testing.