Over the years, there have been persistent conspiracy theories suggesting that the iconic musician Stevie Wonder is not actually blind.
While this notion might seem outlandish given that his blindness is a well-known part of his identity, several public figures, including Shaquille O’Neal and Stevie Wonder himself, have contributed to the discussion, prompting further examination of the matter. Discover the reasons behind why some people believe that Stevie Wonder may not be blind.
Recommended
Stevie Wonder Wasn’t Actually Born Blind
Stevie Wonder was born prematurely, arriving six weeks before his due date. Because of his premature birth, he required an incubator to allow his organs more time to develop properly. However, a regrettable outcome of this treatment was that he was exposed to excessive oxygen, which led to the development of retinopathy of prematurity (ROP), an eye disorder characterized by abnormal blood vessels across the retina.
In simpler terms, Stevie Wonder was not blind from birth. However, the harm inflicted during his stay in the incubator led to permanent blindness.
Nonetheless, this setback didn’t hinder his determination. In a 2004 conversation with Oprah, he revealed that he had assured his mother, “Don’t be concerned about my blindness, because I’m content.” At just 10 years old, he independently learned to play the piano, harmonica, and drums. His lifelong involvement in music might offer an explanation for the intriguing incident during a live performance in 2010.
People Have Questioned Stevie Wonder’s Blindness Over The Years
In 2010, Stevie Wonder and the iconic Paul McCartney shared the stage at the White House. While performing “Hey Jude” live, McCartney unintentionally knocked over a microphone stand. Cameras captured the moment when Wonder spontaneously caught the piece of equipment and promptly restored it to its proper place.
Certainly, the incident sparked widespread internet speculation, leading to the birth of a conspiracy theory. What’s interesting is that it wasn’t limited to eccentric individuals; even some prominent public figures offered their views on the matter.
ESPN sportswriter Bomani Jones recorded a video expressing his astonishment at Stevie Wonder’s participation in Dancing with The Stars. He questioned whether competitive ballroom dancing was a usual activity for blind individuals, although it’s worth noting that Stevie Wonder was a guest performer on the show, and his son Mandla Morris was the contestant on Dancing with the Stars: Juniors. Jones defended his right to ask such questions, stating, “I don’t think there’s anything wrong with me for having questions about these sorts of things.”
In 2019, Shaquille O’Neal shared an intriguing story during an episode of Inside the NBA. He recalled the time he unexpectedly encountered Stevie Wonder at an elevator in their Los Angeles apartment building. O’Neal claimed that Wonder noticed him and greeted him with, “What’s up Shaq? How you doin’ big dawg?”
Several other celebrities, such as actor Anthony Anderson and singer Lionel Richie, have expressed their doubts and shared their interactions with Stevie Wonder. On an episode of the Kelly Clarkson Show, Lionel Richie, known for “Dancing on the Ceiling,” recounted an incident where he believed Wonder drove a car in reverse. Richie stated, “I’ve been spending my whole life with him thinking he can see. I know he can see.”
In 2016, Anthony Anderson told Stephen Colbert that he had engaged in a charity free-throw competition with Stevie Wonder, and Wonder emerged as the victor. Anderson asserted, “Stevie can see,” suggesting that his blindness might be an act.
Stevie Wonder has playfully gone along with this theory. There’s a story about him describing an outfit, as mentioned by P. Diddy. When asked by TMZ whether the story was true, Wonder simply smiled and responded, “It could be.”
Can Stevie Wonder Actually See?
Despite various testimonies from seemingly credible individuals, it’s highly improbable that Stevie Wonder has been deceitful about his blindness. In a 1989 acceptance speech when he was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, Wonder took off his glasses at the podium, revealing eyes that showed significant damage.
There is no conclusive evidence that Stevie Wonder is completely blind, which might contribute to some people’s doubts. It’s well-documented that the human body can compensate for the loss of one sense by enhancing others, such as hearing, smell, and touch. It’s possible that Wonder is exceptionally perceptive in ways that sighted individuals may not fully understand. Nonetheless, we remain unconvinced by the theory that he’s been engaged in an elaborate deception.
ncG1vNJzZmiZppq7trHGoWWcp51kv6bCyJ6urGeZqHq0wMSvoJ5lp6S7pbHRZpmloZ6ZfA%3D%3D