Donald Glover Reveals Stroke & Heart Surgery Forced Childish Gambino's New World Tour Cancellation

Donald Glover, the acclaimed rapper, singer, and actor, recently shared the details of a serious health scare that led to the cancellation of his high-profile tour dates across North America and Europe. The star, also known by his music moniker Childish Gambino, opened up to fans at Tyler, the Creator's Camp Flog Gnaw festival on November 22nd, shedding light on the "ailment" that derailed his ambitious New World Tour plans in late 2024.

The Shocking Stroke Diagnosis

Speaking candidly to the crowd, the 42-year-old artist described the alarming start of his health ordeal.

"I had a really bad pain in my head in Louisiana and I did the show anyway," Glover explained in clips shared widely on social media. "I couldn’t really see well, so when we went to Houston, I went to the hospital and the doctor was like, ‘You had a stroke.’ ”

The news was a profound shock. Ever the comedian, Glover shared his initial, somewhat morbid, thought: "The first thing I thought was like, ‘Oh, here I am still copying Jamie Foxx,’" he quipped, referencing the Blame It singer’s own serious health battle in 2023. "That’s really like the second thing. The first thing was like, ‘I’m letting everybody down,’ ” he quickly clarified.

A Hole in the Heart and Double Surgery

The health problems didn't end there. Not long after receiving the stroke diagnosis, the Community actor broke his foot. This second incident prompted further medical investigation, which uncovered a far more serious, underlying issue.

“They found a hole in my heart … so I had this surgery, and then I had to have another surgery,” Glover continued onstage.

The experience has clearly given him a new perspective on life. “They say everybody has two lives, and the second life starts when you realize you have one. You should be living your life how you want. If we have to do this again, it can only get better,” he affirmed, inspiring his fans.

Tour Postponement and Ultimate Cancellation

The seriousness of his medical condition explains the sequence of events that frustrated fans experienced last year.

In September 2024, Glover initially postponed the remaining North American dates of his The New World Tour to focus on his "physical health for a few weeks." However, his ongoing and escalating health issues forced him to cancel those dates altogether the following month.

Shows scheduled for Australia and New Zealand soon faced the same fate, with Glover issuing a heartfelt statement to ticketholders last November.

"Unfortunately, my path to recovery is taking longer than expected," he wrote. "The upcoming concerts in Australia and New Zealand are canceled. One of the last things I’d ever want to do is disappoint my fans."

He closed the message by expressing gratitude: "I really appreciate the support you have shown and know that I will do what I can to give u an exceptional experience when the time is right. Thank you."