Losing your voice is no laughing matter, as Trevor Noah has quickly found out. The Daily Show host was forced to postpone a number of scheduled stand-up shows after being put on vocal rest.
“I thought that my vocal cords were healed but according to the doctor, flying 36 hours and hosting a giant concert in South Africa didn’t help me,” Noah shared in a note on Twitter. “So now if I want to get better I have to take it seriously so that I can perform at 100% on my new tour next year. I hate cancelling shows but I also hate the idea of losing my voice forever so I’m postponing all this year’s stand-up shows and working hard on rehabbing the voice.”
The comic hosted the Global Citizen Festival: Mandela 100 last weekend in his native South Africa, which took a toll on his voice and caused Noah to scale back his professional commitments. Despite not being able to speak, he remained at the Daily Show desk for Tuesday’s show, using hand gestures and facial expressions to deliver punchlines while correspondents Michael Kosta and Roy Wood Jr. took over speaking duties.
TONIGHT: Trevor left his heart in South Africa… and his voice! pic.twitter.com/a91xFnhvJ4
— The Daily Show (@TheDailyShow) December 5, 2018
Noah was set to perform six shows through the end of 2018, including gigs in Louisville and San Diego. Tickets for those performances will be honored at a make-up date to be announced.
While he may be sidelined for the time being until his voice is healed, Trevor Noah is gearing up for a big year to come. He is set to embark on the 28-date Loud and Clear Tour throughout 2019, his first arena tour, while continuing his busy schedule hosting The Daily Show.
Read his full statement below.
— Trevor Noah (@Trevornoah) December 5, 2018