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Lauv has officially stepped away from his role on Khalid’s “It’s Always Summer Somewhere” tour, citing the need to prioritize his mental well-being.
In a heartfelt message posted to Instagram this past Tuesday (June 2), the singer-songwriter, born Ari Staprans Leff, shared the difficult news with his supporters. “I have genuinely tried to summon the strength to return to the stage and share this music with all of you,” he wrote.
“However, I have to be completely honest with myself and my audience: I am navigating a very challenging period, and I must take some time away to focus on my mental health,” he continued. “I am deeply sorry to my fans, to Khalid, and to everyone impacted by this decision. You all mean the world to me.”
Lauv noted that his mental health struggles have never been hidden from his fans, as they have been a central, recurring theme woven throughout his discography. “I am going to do everything in my power to recover, rediscover my creative spark, and return to doing what I love most. Thank you for your unwavering patience and for the immense love you’ve shown me over the years.”
The tour, headlined by Khalid, launched in mid-May with Lauv serving as a special guest. The pair, who recently collaborated on the single “Tied Up,” managed to complete roughly half of the scheduled North American dates before the decision was made for Lauv to withdraw.
Khalid shared a supportive response shortly after the announcement, posting a photo of the two artists on Instagram. “I want to take a moment to express my gratitude to @lauvsongs for joining me on this journey and for giving everything he could while battling his own internal struggles,” Khalid wrote. “I wish you an abundance of love, clarity, and peace as you navigate these difficult times.”
“Watching you perform and pour your heart into your craft every night has been a true privilege,” Khalid added. “I know that once you are healed, you will continue to achieve incredible things. Your stories have touched so many lives, and we are all standing with you.”
The “It’s Always Summer Somewhere” tour is set to proceed, with a scheduled performance in Nashville on Wednesday (June 3), followed by additional stops across major U.S. cities before heading to Mexico and eventually hitting Europe and Oceania.
