WATCH: Stevie Wonder breaks silence to set the record straight on blindness rumours

IOL News

17-07-2025

The 75-year-old R&B artist, widely celebrated for his trailblazing contributions to music, recently addressed the long-standing speculation during an emotional moment on stage in Cardiff, Wales.
Legendary musician and cultural icon Stevie Wonder has finally spoken out, putting to rest the persistent rumours that have followed him throughout his extraordinary life and career - namely, that he is not blind.
'Truth is, shortly after my birth, I became blind,' he affirmed. 'Now, that was a blessing because it's allowed me to see the world in the vision of truth, of sight. See people in the spirit of them, not how they look. Not what colour they are, but what colour is their spirit?'
Then, with clarity and conviction, he laid the speculation to rest.
'I must say to all of you, something that I was thinking, 'When did I want to let the world know this?' But I wanted to say it right now,' Wonder told the crowd, in a moment captured on video and shared widely on social media. 'You know, there have been rumours about me seeing and all that? But seriously, you know the truth.'
Performing as part of his Love, Light and Song UK tour, Wonder took a pause mid-show to confront the myth head-on, offering a heartfelt message to his fans and critics alike.
It was a moment that not only reaffirmed his truth but also underscored the deep spiritual perspective Wonder has carried with him through decades of creative genius.
His words spoke not only to the reality of his blindness but also to the unique lens through which he has always experienced - and expressed - the world.
Rumours about Wonder's vision have swirled for years, often resurfacing in tabloids and online forums.
From humorous anecdotes to outlandish conspiracy theories, these rumours have painted a distorted picture - one that often undermines both his humanity and his immense talent.
Some have claimed he can catch falling microphones too swiftly, or face the right direction on stage too naturally.
These speculations, often rooted in ableist assumptions, ignore the vast range of ways in which blind individuals adapt and navigate the world, and the fact that Wonder has lived with his condition for over seven decades.
To understand Wonder's journey is to understand the resilience and vision that have shaped his legendary career.
Born Stevland Hardaway Judkins in Saginaw, Michigan, he arrived six weeks premature, a factor that led to the development of retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) - a condition that causes abnormal blood vessels to grow in the retina, eventually detaching it and leading to blindness.
Though he lost his sight soon after birth, Wonder never allowed the condition to define or limit him. His mother, Lula Mae Hardaway, was instrumental in nurturing his spirit, even in the face of her own pain and fears. In the 2024 'The Wonder of Stevie" audiobook series, the musician recalled a powerful moment from his childhood.
'My mother went through different things, and so my experience with that was deep,' he shared. 'She would cry every night. And I remember telling her, 'Mama, you shouldn't cry, you're making my head hurt.''
It was then, even as a child, that Wonder expressed a remarkable sense of purpose. 'Maybe God has something for me that's bigger than all this,' he told her. 'History proved that true.'
To speak of Wonder's artistry is to speak of a force that transcends physical limitations. His catalogue of music - spanning classic hits like 'Superstition', 'Isn't She Lovely', 'Higher Ground' and 'Signed, Sealed, Delivered' - reveals a profound depth of emotion, soul and insight.
He has not only shaped the sound of R&B and soul but has also been a tireless advocate for civil rights, social justice and humanitarian causes.