• iconNews
  • videos
  • entertainment
  • Home
  • News
    • UK News
    • US News
    • Australia
    • Ireland
    • World News
    • Weird News
    • Viral News
    • Sport
    • Technology
    • Science
    • True Crime
    • Travel
  • Entertainment
    • Celebrity
    • TV & Film
    • Netflix
    • Music
    • Gaming
    • TikTok
  • LAD Originals
    • Say Maaate to a Mate
    • Daily Ladness
    • Lad Files
    • UOKM8?
    • FreeToBe
    • Extinct
    • Citizen Reef
  • Advertise
  • Terms
  • Privacy & Cookies
  • LADbible Group
  • UNILAD
  • SPORTbible
  • GAMINGbible
  • Tyla
  • UNILAD Tech
  • FOODbible
  • License Our Content
  • About Us & Contact
  • Jobs
  • Latest
  • Topics A-Z
  • Authors
Facebook
Instagram
X
Threads
Snapchat
TikTok
YouTube

LAD Entertainment

YouTube

LAD Stories

Submit Your Content
Stevie Wonder finally shares ‘truth’ behind rumour that he can actually see

Home> Entertainment> Celebrity

Published 14:13 15 Jul 2025 GMT+1

Stevie Wonder finally shares ‘truth’ behind rumour that he can actually see

Some people seem to think that the music legend is hiding a pair of fully functioning eyes under his dark glasses

Olivia Burke

Olivia Burke

After years of speculation surrounding his sight, Stevie Wonder decided to set the record straight about what he can see while on stage in Wales.

The music legend, 75, revealed 'the truth' about his lack of vision while wowing crowds in Cardiff last week during his Love, Light and Song tour.

His vocal talent is something which has never been up for debate, however, the same can't be said for the 'Do I Do' singer's inability to see like many of us.

There are a few reasons for this - the first being that Wonder still moves and grooves on stage, seemingly without fear, despite being unable to perceive where he's going.

Advert

On top of that, Shaquille O'Neal famously revealed that the Michigan-born hitmaker 'recognised' him in an elevator once, while he also memorably 'caught' a microphone stand which Paul McCartney knocked over as they performed together.

Wonder is also extremely talented when it comes to instruments and can play piano, keyboard, harmonica, drums, organ and synthesisers - and some people just simply can't understand how he's managed all that without his sight.

But it just goes to show that you really can do anything you set your mind to, as the musician has managed to master various skills thanks to his sheer determination.

Still, for some reason, there's a few people who seriously believe that he's been pulling our legs about being blind for all of this time.

Wonder, 75, told the crowd in Cardiff the 'truth' about his vision (Dia Dipasupil/Getty Images)
Wonder, 75, told the crowd in Cardiff the 'truth' about his vision (Dia Dipasupil/Getty Images)

Advert

Wonder has taken these rumours on the chin throughout his career, but last Wednesday (9 July), he decided to address the gossip while entertaining the crowd at Blackweir Fields in Cardiff.

He confirmed he most definitely is blind, before going on to describe his disability as a 'blessing'.

In footage from the gig shared on social media, the music star said: "I must say to all of you, something that I was thinking, ‘When did I want to let the world know this?’

"But I'm going to say it right now. You know there have been rumours about me seeing and all that? But seriously, you know the truth.

"The truth is, shortly after my birth, I became blind. Now, that was a blessing because it’s allowed me to see the world in the vision of truth, of sight.

Advert

"See people in the spirit of them, not how they look. Not what colour they are. But, what colour is their spirit?"

A wonderful way to put it, Mr Wonder.

He shared a similar sentiment while performing at BST Hyde Park on Saturday (12 July) in London, movingly telling the audience: "Every single person who is blind should be able to see in their own way.

"And if you don’t believe me, you don’t agree, meet in the dark and let’s see what happens."

The music star became blind when he was just a few weeks old (Daniel Knighton/Getty Images)
The music star became blind when he was just a few weeks old (Daniel Knighton/Getty Images)

Advert

Hilariously, he also gestured towards his white tunic which was embroidered with the faces of John Lennon and Marvin Gaye, before jokingly pointing to them and getting their names the wrong way around.

Making light of the supposed mix-up, Wonder then said: "Sorry y’all, I’m blind you know."

The Grammy winner has been blind since he was an infant, although he was not born that way.

Wonder actually lost his vision when he was around six weeks old, as he suffered from a condition which is known as retinopathy of prematurity (ROP).

According to the National Eye Institute, this is an eye disease which affects babies who are born prematurely and it causes abnormal blood vessels grow in the retina, which is the light-sensitive layer of tissue in the back of your eye.

Advert

Some tots who suffer ROP only experience it mildly and go on to make a full recovery, however, it can cause vision loss or even blindness if it's not treated quickly.

When Wonder was born earlier than expected back in May 1950, he was placed into an incubator - but as it contained too much oxygen, this unfortunately contributed to his development of ROP.

While chatting with Barack Obama and Wesley Morris on The Wonder of Stevie podcast last year, Wonder revealed that his mother took this news particularly hard at the time.

"I was born," he said. "Shortly after that, I’m blind. My mother went through the different things, and so my experience with that was deep," before then explaining that she would cry 'every night' about his lack of sight.

Recalling how he reassured his mother, Wonder went on: "[I said], 'Mama, you shouldn’t cry, you’re making my head hurt'. And I said, ‘Maybe God has something for me that’s bigger than all this'.

"History proved that true."

Featured Image Credit: David Paul Morris/Bloomberg via Getty Images

Topics: Celebrity, Music, UK News, Viral, Health

Olivia Burke
Olivia Burke

Olivia is a journalist at LADbible Group with more than five years of experience and has worked for a number of top publishers, including News UK. She also enjoys writing food reviews (as well as the eating part). She is a stereotypical reality TV addict, but still finds time for a serious documentary.

X

@livburke_

Advert

Advert

Advert

Choose your content:

16 hours ago
17 hours ago
18 hours ago
  • Kristina Bumphrey/Variety via Getty ImagesKristina Bumphrey/Variety via Getty Images
    16 hours ago

    Benedict Cumberbatch explained moment filming with Olivia Colman became 'toxic'

    The Roses is now available to watch in cinemas

    Entertainment
  • Richard Pelham/Getty ImagesRichard Pelham/Getty Images
    17 hours ago

    Gordon Ramsay gives important warning after he is forced to undergo cancer surgery

    Gordon Ramsay underwent surgery to remove a basal cell carcinoma

    Entertainment
  • YouTube/Zack D. FilmsYouTube/Zack D. Films
    17 hours ago

    Simulation shows terrifying true reality of why you’re asked to use the brace position in aeroplane crashes

    YouTuber Zack D. Films has shared a simulation of the best position to be in if a plane is crashing

    Entertainment
  • Daniele Venturelli/WireImageDaniele Venturelli/WireImage
    18 hours ago

    New Adam Sandler and George Clooney film gets insane reaction at Venice film festival

    The pair star in new Noah Baumbach flick Jay Kelly

    Entertainment
  • Sad truth behind why George Michael wrote iconic festive song Last Christmas
  • Awkward moment DJ finds out he’d been performing with ‘fake’ Justin Bieber as he shares what really happened
  • Truth behind Quality Street tins ‘shrinking’ since the 1980s will actually surprise a lot of people
  • Disturbing truth behind Virgin Mary statue that 'weeps tears of blood' has finally been revealed