Stevie Wonder has addressed longstanding rumours doubting his blindness.
Despite losing his sight shortly after he was born, the 75-year-old music superstar has continuously faced speculation about his vision. Wonder's ability to navigate the world has led some to question his ability to see, and during a recent performance in Cardiff, Wales, the singer-songwriter made light of the theory.
"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. You know there have been rumours about me seeing and all that? But seriously, you know the truth," he told the crowd during the show.
"Truth is, shortly after my birth, I became blind."
Wonder, who was performing in Wales with his Love, Light and Song UK Tour, went on to tell the crowd how being visually impaired has made his life more special.
"Now, that was a blessing," he continued. "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?"
A series of famous faces have added fuel to the fire when it comes to the tongue-in-cheek rumours surrounding Wonder's vision.
In 2019, former NBA star Shaquille O'Neal famously claimed Wonder had immediately recognised him when they shared an elevator in Los Angeles.
Comedian Anthony Anderson told Stephen Colbert in 2016 that he had realised Wonder's blindness was "just an act" after he challenged him to a game of basketball.
