From People
Gladys Knight is assuring fans she’s “healthy and happy” after her son publicly accused the music legend’s husband of mental and financial abuse — and lodged a complaint with authorities in North Carolina over her care.
Knight, 81, has been on The Queens Tour since May with fellow legends Chaka Khan, Patti LaBelle and Stephanie Mills, and currently has 11 shows scheduled from September through December.
The “Midnight Train to Georgia” singer’s son Shanga Hankerson expressed concern for his mother in an interview with PEOPLE, claiming that her busy touring schedule was “detrimental” to her health, and came largely at the behest of her husband, William McDowell.
In a statement shared with PEOPLE, Knight painted a different picture, saying she has enjoyed her time on the road and is doing well.
"I'm sorry that my health and performances have been misrepresented. I want my fans and those concerned to rest assured I am doing very well for someone who has been on stage for three quarters of a century, hard to believe, right?” she said. “I'm healthy and happy and visiting friends and family these last few months. I'm excited to get back on the road with my sisters and on stage with The Queens Tour. See you soon.”
Hankerson, meanwhile, tells PEOPLE that while his mother has not expressed to him a desire to stop performing, he believes she’s “on cruise control,” and has in recent years struggled with her memory, citing an instance this past New Year’s in which Knight allegedly did not know who he was for 45 minutes. He previously told The Shade Room about another instance last year in which Knight allegedly wandered away from the hotel they were staying at and ended up across town.
