Stevie Wonder Just Addressed the ‘He’s Not Blind’ Rumor — And It’s Hilarious
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For years, a bizarre rumor has followed Stevie Wonder: that the iconic musician isn’t really blind. Despite being one of the most influential and beloved artists of our time, some skeptics have insisted there’s more to his vision story than he lets on. It’s a strange conspiracy that’s sparked endless jokes, stories, and speculation—especially online.
The origins of the rumor vary, but they often hinge on isolated anecdotes and fan theories. Some even cite his energy on stage or ability to interact with people in uncanny ways. But now, Wonder has decided to set the record straight in a way only he can—on stage and with style.
During a recent concert in Cardiff, Wales, the 75-year-old legend addressed the chatter directly. In true Stevie fashion, it wasn’t bitter or defensive—it was poetic, heartfelt, and surprisingly funny.
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Stevie Breaks His Silence On Stage
Midway through his performance on the UK leg of his Love, Light and Song tour, Stevie Wonder paused to speak directly to the audience. He acknowledged that he had been thinking about the right time to speak up, and that moment had finally come. The crowd fell silent as he prepared to address a topic that’s long lingered in the background.
“You know there have been rumors about me seeing and all that? But seriously, you know the truth,” he said, letting the audience lean in. Then he confirmed what medical records and history have already documented: he lost his vision shortly after birth due to a condition caused by premature birth and oxygen exposure.
But Wonder didn’t stop there. Rather than simply shutting down the rumor, he took it as an opportunity to share a deeper truth. He called his blindness a blessing, saying it allowed him to “see people in the spirit of them” instead of judging by appearances—a powerful message about perception, race, and humanity.
The Real Story Behind His Blindness
Though many fans assume Stevie Wonder was born blind, the truth is slightly more complex. He was born premature and placed in an incubator, which at the time used high levels of oxygen. That excess oxygen caused a condition called retinopathy of prematurity (ROP), which ultimately led to his blindness.
ROP is a serious eye disease that affects premature babies and can cause vision loss if not treated quickly. It occurs when abnormal blood vessels grow in the retina, damaging the eye and leading to permanent blindness. In Stevie’s case, the condition was irreversible and developed just weeks after he was born.
Despite this difficult start, Wonder’s loss of sight never stopped him from achieving greatness. In fact, it became a part of his identity—not as a limitation, but as a unique lens through which he experiences and expresses the world. His music has always reflected this: soulful, introspective, and full of vision in the deepest sense.
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Shaq’s Elevator Story—and the Laughs That Followed
One of the most famous—and funniest—stories that helped fuel the “Stevie Wonder isn’t blind” rumor came from NBA legend Shaquille O’Neal. In an interview, Shaq recalled living in the same building as Stevie in Los Angeles and running into him in an elevator. What happened next left him stunned.
As Shaq tells it, Stevie walked into the elevator, greeted him with “What’s up, Shaq,” pressed the correct button, and exited on the right floor—without any assistance. O’Neal was so shocked that he immediately called everyone he knew to retell the story. And naturally, no one believed him.
The story has since taken on a life of its own, repeated and embellished over the years as a piece of urban legend. But whether Stevie recognized Shaq by voice, memory, or something else entirely, it speaks more to his incredible spatial awareness than any secret eyesight. And if anything, it only adds to his mystique—and his humor.
