Gladys Knight took to the stage at a music festival this weekend and reminded fans why she’s known as the “Empress of Soul.”
The 82-year-old music legend performed Friday, Sept. 4, at the Riverfront Jazz Festival in Dallas.
Videos shared on social media showed Knight singing and dancing, as she worked the stage in a fashionable red suit.
“She still has that voice!” one person commented on a video posted to YouTube by “The Dirty Bag Podcast.”
“Go ahead Ms. Gladys,” another added.
“That red suit is everything Ms. Gladys,” someone else wrote in the comment section.
“Alright Ms. Gladys. Glad you’re feeling good and looking marvelous. YESSSSS…” another person added.
Related: Gladys Knight to Cut Back on Performances After Troubling Videos
According to the festival’s website, Knight served as Friday’s opening-night headliner.
Other artists appearing during the three-day festival included Spyro Gyra, Samara Joy, Bilal, Brian McKnight, and American Idol season 23 winner Jamal Roberts.
Knight’s performance came just days after she announced plans to cut back on touring following viral videos that raised concerns about her well-being.
As Urban Hollywood 411 previously reported, footage from a July concert in Rochester, New York, appeared to show her becoming disoriented while performing her signature hit, “Midnight Train to Georgia.”
In one clip, the singer paused and looked confused before reaching out to hug one of her backup singers. The backup artists continued performing as the moment unfolded.
The videos resurfaced in late August and sparked an outpouring of concern from fans. Some praised Knight’s backup singers for helping her through the performance, while others said the footage was difficult to watch.
After the clips made national headlines, a statement posted to Knight’s verified Instagram account said she planned to cut back on touring.
“After much soul searching, I’ve decided that I will be easing into fewer performances while focusing on transitioning into the next stage of my career and life moving forward,” the statement read.
Knight said she looked forward to spending time with her husband and manager, William McDowell, as well as with her grandchildren.
The Atlanta native rose to fame as lead singer of Gladys Knight & the Pips, climbing the charts with such classic hits as “Midnight Train to Georgia,” “Neither One of Us,” and “If I Were Your Woman.”
Knight’s son Shanga Hankerson raised concerns about her health in 2025. He spoke with The Shade Room and alleged McDowell was pressuring the Grammy-winning singer to remain on the road. Knight’s reps called Hankerson’s claims unfounded.
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