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Heartbroken Fans Suspect Chaka Khan Is Drunk Or High During Troubling Performance

Footage shows hundreds of fans disappointingly exiting the venue.

According to reports from several fans and hip-hop and R&B’s Rico Love, what was supposed to be a stellar performance from the Queen of Funk Chaka Khan ended in a fan walk-out for what they suspected to be drug or alcohol abuse from the legendary songstress.

Chaka took the stage at the 13th annual Jazz in the Gardens festival in Florida over the weekend alongside other soul, R&B, jazz performers like Anita Baker, Smokey Robinson and Fantasia. From the very first note, however, it was clear that things would go downhill from there. And that they did, as clips recorded by fans show the 64-year-old music icon struggling through lyrics from her classic hits such as “Ain’t Nobody” while fans made their way to the exit. Many of them took to Twitter to air their suspicions that she was either high or drunk.

Despite the troubling performance, Chaka refused to let such a notion go by unaddressed, however. In a reported statement to The Jasmine Brand, Chaka allegedly has been “battling the flu for a number of weeks.” Sure, doctors advised her to cancel her shows for some much-needed rest, she reportedly stated, but knowing Chaka, she decided to hold true to her stage promises for the fans despite the illness.

“Chaka values her fans and supporters and would never do anything to jeopardize their support and love,” her rep reportedly added. “Under doctor’s orders Chaka will be resting for the remainder of the week until her next performance engagement in Macon, Geogia, Saturday, March 24.”

Looks like the fans behind the tweets below should probably catch up on her memo.

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