Patti Smith Says She’s ‘Fine’ After Brazil Stage Collapse Reports

Punk rock legend Patti Smith has updated fans on her health following reports that she collapsed on stage in Brazil.

“This is letting everyone know that I am fine,” she wrote via Instagram on Thursday, January 30. “A grossly exaggerated account is being spread by the press and social media.”

Smith, 78, was beginning a headlining set with experimental music group Soundwalk Collective at the Teatro Cultura Artística in São Paulo, Brazil on Wednesday, January 29, when she collapsed on stage, according to TMZ.

The singer was reportedly reading a spoken-word statement about climate change when she experienced a health emergency and was soon ushered off stage.

According to local reports, Smith eventually returned to the stage in a wheelchair to tell fans she felt “very badly” and would not be cleared by her doctor to perform a full show. Instead, Smith sang two acapella tracks before ending the event early.

Smith later explained on Instagram that “post migraine dizziness” led to “a small incident” that had been blown out of proportion in the media.

“I was checked out by an excellent Doctor and was absolutely fine,” she wrote. “Please do not accept any other story. With all the strife in the world, this explainable incident does not merit so much attention. Thank you everyone for your concern. Trust me I am fine.”

Patti Smith, 78, depois de um tombo pra trás e ficar desacordada. Volta ao palco do Cultura Artística e encanta a todos pic.twitter.com/H4QAAajvM9

— Raul Juste Lores (@rauljustelores) January 30, 2025

Her collaborators Soundwalk Collective posted a statement signed by Smith via their Instagram Story to confirm that she would be back on stage for a second scheduled performance at the Cultura Artística Theater on Thursday.

“Patti has suffered from an intense migraine the past couple days and had some dizziness on stage but she still wanted to be there for all of us and you and perform today,” the statement read. “She is now being cared for by the best doctors in the most loving way and will be back on stage [on Thursday].”

Soundwalk Collective thanked those in attendance for their “beautiful energy and [their] supportive presence” in light of events.

“Patti says she is tremendously grateful for your patience and forgiveness and she sends her love to all who attended,” the group added.

The rock legend is set to be honored at the Music Of Patti Smith concert at Carnegie Hall in New York City on March 26 to benefit music education for underserved youth.

Former R.E.M. frontman Michael Stipe, Chrissie Hynde of The Pretenders, The National’s Matt Berninger and Sharon Van Etten are among more than 20 artists who will perform Smith’s influential music at this tribute show.​​

The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee will then appear at a free Poet’s Voice event at the Greenwich Library in Connecticut on April 12 where she will reflect on her work as a poet, singer, songwriter and fine artist over the past 50 years.

The four-time Grammy nominee’s groundbreaking 1975 album Horses was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame in 2021. She was previously given the prestigious Polar Music Prize in 2011 for her contributions to both poetry and rock music.

Last year, Smith thanked Taylor Swift for referencing her alongside acclaimed poet Dylan Thomas in The Tortured Poets Department’s title track.

“This is saying I was moved to be mentioned in the company of the great Welsh poet Dylan Thomas,” she wrote on Instagram. “Thank you, Taylor.”