Gladys Knight Responds To Son’s Elder Abuse Claims: 'I'm Healthy & Happy'

Gladys Knight is speaking out after her son, Shanga Hankerson, accused her husband, William McDowell, of mentally and financially abusing her.

On Friday (August 15), Knight, 81, shut down abuse allegations and assured fans she's in good health amid her ongoing tour.

"I'm sorry that my health and performances have been misrepresented," Knight said, per PEOPLE. "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?"

Knight's statement comes after she kicked off The Queens Tour in May, performing alongside fellow music icons Patti LaBelle, Chaka Khan, and Stephanie Mills.

"I'm healthy and happy and visiting friends and family these last few months. I'm excited to get back on the road with my sisters and on stage with The Queens Tour. See you soon," she said.

During a recent interview with The Shade Room, Hankerson alleged that McDowell was forcing his mother to continue touring despite concerns about her cognitive health.

"I don't want my mom out on tour on a tour bus, wondering where she's at," Hankerson said. "That's my mom, I truly love her and don't care about her ever working a second longer while she's alive."

Hankerson also claimed Knight had shown signs of confusion during performances.

“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.”

"I'm extremely concerned about how she is being handled right now," Hankerson added.

McDowell hasn't spoken out about Hankerson's allegations.

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