Keith Urban has been forced to cancel a concert after coming down with a nasty case of laryngitis, just as his split from Nicole Kidman continues to make headlines.
The 57-year-old country star was set to perform in Greenville, South Carolina, on Thursday night, but doctors told him to pull the plug. “Keith Urban has been advised by his longtime laryngologist Dr. Gaelyn Garrett, from the Vanderbilt Voice Center, to cancel his performance in Greenville, SC tonight at Bon Secours Wellness Arena due to laryngitis, which began earlier this week,” the venue said in a statement.
Laryngitis, which can cause a hoarse voice and sore throat, is usually minor but can completely knock out a singer’s ability to perform. Urban’s doctor has reportedly ordered him to go on complete vocal rest, but remains optimistic he’ll be ready for his next show in Nashville.
Urban apologised to fans in a heartfelt message. “Hey Greenville, I’m so SO sorry to have to cancel the show… I know all the logistics it takes to get to a concert these days and I’ve never taken any of that, or any of YOU for granted. I’m looking forward to getting back there when we can!!!!!” he said.
The Greenville show would have featured special guests Chase Matthew, Alana Springsteen, and Karley Scott Collins. For now, the focus is on Urban’s recovery so he can hit the stage again in Tennessee.
But while his voice may be resting, the rumors around his personal life are anything but quiet. Just two weeks ago, Urban and Kidman shocked fans by announcing their separation after nearly twenty years of marriage. Kidman, 58, filed for divorce on 30 September, citing irreconcilable differences.
The news sent fans into overdrive after reports surfaced of Urban’s alleged affair with a younger woman. “Their split is turning dramatic,” a source told People. “Nicole’s hurt and feels betrayed. She wanted to save their marriage and believed that she could, but it seems he’s already moved on.”
At the centre of the speculation is Maggie Baugh, Urban’s 25-year-old guitarist who has been performing alongside him on tour. Fuel was added to the fire when fans noticed an Instagram clip of Urban singing “The Fighter”—a song famously written for Kidman—while changing the lyrics to include Baugh’s name. The video was posted just days before news of the split broke, and Urban has since dropped the track from his setlist.
Baugh, who is currently performing her own shows as part of her solo tour, will not appear at Urban’s upcoming Nashville concert. Neither she nor Urban has publicly addressed the rumours.
Urban and Kidman married in June 2006 and share two daughters, Sunday Rose, 17, and Faith Margaret, 14. The couple had long been seen as one of Hollywood’s most enduring love stories, making their sudden split and the affair rumours even more shocking.
For now, fans are hoping Urban recovers quickly and makes his Nashville show—though it’s clear the music isn’t the only thing he’s trying to get back in tune.
