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Lady A's Charles Kelley says he has multiple myeloma, a rare blood cancer

Charles Kelley of the country group Lady A announced in an Instagram video on 29 September that he has multiple myeloma. He said he feels hopeful and wants to keep working.

6 outlets · 2L · 1C · 3R First reported Account updated

Updated (version 5). New coverage since the last version from BBC News, CBS News.

Image: Fox News
Image: BBC News
Image: Variety
Image: CBS News
Image: Daily Mail
Image: GB News

1 / 6

The story, neutrally told

Charles Kelley, co-lead vocalist and founding member of Lady A, announced on Instagram on Tuesday 29 September that he has been diagnosed with multiple myeloma, a rare blood cancer. The BBC, the Daily Mail and GB News say the video showed him with his wife, Cassie. Kelley said a couple of random rib fractures led his doctor to order several blood tests, and one of them found the cancer.

He said he is young and feels healthy, that treatments have advanced in the past five years, and that he feels hopeful. He said he expects the first six months of treatment not to be too invasive and that he wants to keep working, though he expects some tough days. He compared sharing the news to being open about his sobriety, saying that getting it off his chest is freeing and that he takes things one day at a time.

The Daily Mail and GB News add that a friend about two months ahead of him with the same cancer has been a source of support. Bandmates Hillary Scott and Dave Haywood posted messages of support, according to the BBC and GB News. Fox News and Variety recall that in 2022 the band postponed its Request Line Tour so Kelley could focus on sobriety.

Variety says the group plays Christmas shows from Dec. 10 through 21, and the BBC, Daily Mail and GB News say a new album is due; none says whether plans will change.

Every sentence links to the reporting it rests on.

Left2 outlets

Framing
Variety leads with Kelley's own words and career context; CBS carries a short broadcast item stressing hope about the outcome.
Emphasis
Kelley's confidence and the sobriety parallel; upcoming Christmas tour dates.
Leaves out or plays down
Variety leaves out the friend who is further along in treatment and bandmates' replies.
For example
“I’m Confident That We’re Going to Get Through It” — Variety
“saying he feels hopeful about the outcome” — CBS News

Centre1 outlet

Framing
BBC gives a straightforward report with band background and long quotes.
Emphasis
Kelley's quotes, band's Grammy record, bandmates' support.
Leaves out or plays down
Does not mention the friend or the 2022 tour postponement.
For example
“says he currently feels "great" and is "hopeful".” — BBC News

Right3 outlets

Framing
Fox, Daily Mail and GB News tell it as a personal, emotional story, with more detail on family and sobriety.
Emphasis
Family details, sobriety history, well-wishes, continued work.
Leaves out or plays down
Fox does not mention the new album or tour plans.
Charged language
“heartbreaking health diagnosis”“painful health scare”“emotional video”
For example
“reveals heartbreaking health diagnosis” — Daily Mail
“diagnosed with rare blood cancer after painful health scare” — Fox News
“announces rare blood cancer diagnosis in emotional video” — GB News