Dionne Warwick has cancelled a planned performance at Carnegie Hall because of severe pain in her leg and foot. The 85-year-old singer had been due to appear on Sunday 11 October at Deborah Silver & Fabulous Friends: Voices for ALS, a charity benefit held at Zankel Hall in New York City. The singer explained her decision in a statement after the event. Zankel Hall is one of the performance spaces inside the Carnegie Hall building.
Warwick explained her absence in a statement to Page Six. She apologised to the audience and organisers for missing the concert and said her leg and foot “would not allow me to stand nor walk” at the time of the event. She said she had no choice but to cancel and is now concentrating on rest and recovery, and asked fans for their understanding and grace while she heals. Her message was brief but direct about the reason for her absence. She did not give further details about her treatment.
The benefit, organised by singer Deborah Silver, was designed to raise awareness and support for people affected by ALS, the progressive neurological disease. Warwick’s name was one of the main draws on the bill. Her withdrawal came at short notice, and her statement made clear the decision was based on her physical condition rather than any change of plan. Its title, Deborah Silver & Fabulous Friends, pointed to an evening built around Silver and her guests.
The cancellation follows a health scare last year. In September 2025, Warwick had emergency surgery on her leg. At the time, she reassured fans that she was doing okay and asked them not to worry. It has not been said whether the latest pain is linked to that operation, and she did not give further medical details in her statement. Fans have since shared messages of concern on social media.
Warwick is a five-time Grammy winner and one of the best-known voices in American popular music. Fans responded to the news with messages of support and wishes for a quick recovery. She has not announced any changes to other upcoming appearances, and further updates are expected to come from her team once she has had time to rest. Organisers have not commented publicly on her withdrawal. Warwick did not say when she expects to return to the stage.
