Frankie Valli speaks.
Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons singer, 90, went viral on social media last week, sparking concern among fans about some of his recent performances.
In a statement he shared exclusively with PEOPLE on Monday, Sept. 30, Valli said, “I know there’s been a lot of stuff on the Internet about me lately, so I wanted to clear it up. I’m blessed to be 90 years old and I will continue to be. doing what I love and as long as I’m able and the crowd wants to see me, I’ll be out there performing as always a great show because our fans are still coming out in force and the show is still good.”
Valli added: “How are we going to do a show?! The Four Seasons sound has always been about layering vocals and instruments. We’re using our 60 years of experience so we sound like records. I sing, I have singers singing, great arrangements… .everything. I’m laughing at the comments wondering if someone was forcing me to go on stage.”
The statement concluded: “I plan to perform as long as I can, delivering that great Four Seasons sound. Like that line in Jersey BoysI’m like that bunny on TV, who just goes and goes and goes. Chasing music.”
Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons 1963. Michael Ochs/Getty Archives
The buzz started when videos from recent shows started circulating on TikTok. In one video, Valli appears behind the choreography during his hit “December 1963 (Oh What a Night)”. “He must rest!” one viewer commented on the post, while another concerned commenter called the situation “very sad.”
Elsewhere, in a clip of a separate performance of “Bye, Bye, Baby (Baby, Goodbye),” Valli appears to miss some of the words, prompting speculation of a lip sync. One fan commented: “He looks exhausted.” Another added: “I really want someone to check it out.”
Valli, who celebrated his 90th birthday in May, has an active performance schedule. A tour is currently planned until April 2025, and in recent years he has also played residencies in Las Vegas.
Amid the buzz on social media, rocker Lenny Kravitz, 60, shared a selfie with Valli on Sunday, September 29, writing: “Just ran into the legendary Frankie Valli at the airport. Nothing but respect for you sir. Endless hits and more always on tour in 90 years young love!”
Lenny Kravitz Shares Airport Selfie With ‘Legendary’ Frankie Valli: ‘Nothing But Respect To You Sir’
The TikTok controversy comes four months after Valli’s restraining order against his son Francesco, 36, was made permanent for three years.
After a hearing in Los Angeles on April 29, a judge signed an order of protection against Francesco for Frankie and his son Emilio, who are to have no contact with either Valli or Emilio and must stay at least 100 meters away from their homes and workplaces.
Emilio, 29, previously said in documents obtained by PEOPLE that he and Frankie feared for their safety after Francesco tried to force his way onto his famous father’s property in April. The filing states that while waiting for police to arrive after the attempted burglary, Francesco “made repeated physical threats to hurt or kill” both Frankie and Emilia, something the family said was “part of a pattern over the past several months.”
Valli is married to former CBS marketing director Jackie Jacobs, 61. The couple married in Las Vegas in June 2023.
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Source: HIS Education