Gladys Knight Speaks Out On Abusive Husband Claims
After Gladys Knight’s son Shanga Hankerson accused her husband William McDowell of abusing her while she has been on tour, the Grammy winner reacted to his concerns.
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Gladys Knight is shutting down what she’s heard through the grapevine.Ā
After the “Midnight Train to Georgia” singer’s son Shanga Hankerson accused her husband William McDowell of mentally and financially abusing her, she assured fans that she’s OK.
“I’m sorry that my health and performances have been misrepresented,” Knight told People in a statement published Aug. 15. “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?”Ā
The 81-year-old has been touring with Patti LaBelle, Chaka Khan and Stephanie Mills since May, with 11 shows scheduled between September and December.Ā
“I’m healthy and happy and visiting friends and family these last few months,” she added. “I’m excited to get back on the road with my sisters and on stage with The Queens Tour. See you soon.”
E! News has reached out to reps for McDowell for comment and has not yet heard back.
Knight’s comments come days after Hankersonāwhom the singer shares with ex-husband Barry Hankersonātold The Shade Room that McDowell had been making his mother continue touring despite alleging that her cognitive health is declining.
“I don’t want my mom out on tour on a tour bus, wondering where she’s at,” Hankerson told the outlet in an interview published Aug. 13. “I don’t want that for her. That’s my mom, I truly love her and don’t care about her ever working a second longer while she’s alive. The direction that she’s going in is pushing her to her departure, and I don’t want to see that.”
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The 49-year-old accused McDowell of “manipulating people” into believing that the Grammy winner isn’t struggling. However, he said that his mother has been showing concerning behavior while on stage.
“The band played about two or three extra bars, and she zoned out,” he said. “The background singers started singing, and that brought her back. They’re having to rewind the teleprompters because my mom is forgetting to look at them.”
Hankerson emphasized, “I’m extremely concerned about how she is being handled right now.”
Knight’s rep shared in a statement to E! News that they were “greatly saddened” by “Shanga’s unfounded allegations, especially as he has had no substantial contact with her.”
“She has not been on tour since June 1st and can’t wait to begin touring again in September,” the messaged continued. “At this time our lawyers have no choice but to explore any and all legal remedies due to Shanga’s defamatory comments.”
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