After a decade away from the public eye, Richard Simmons will take Broadway by storm with an upcoming interactive musical. He announced his plans on social media weeks ago, noting that he is excited and looks forward to bringing his written ideas to life.
Richard will have the audience working out to dance numbers in an open space corner on stage, engaging theatergoers to move their bodies like he always did. This news follows the release of The Court Jester, a ten-minute film based on Richard featuring Pauly Shore as him.
Why did Richard Simmons initially retire?
Richard used to hold exercise classes at his fitness studio, Slimmons, in Beverly Hills. He was last spotted in February 2014, after which he disappeared from the public eye. Although there is no confirmed reason for his abrupt reclusion, he allegedly got a double knee replacement that prevented him from exercising as he always had.
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Worse still, there were rumors that Richard passed away after his concerning statement on Facebook; however, he resurfaced to debunk the claims while apologizing to his followers “for the confusion.” Richard’s spokesperson assured fans that he was “very healthy and happy,” explaining that the post which read, “I am dying. The truth is we all are dying” was intended to inspire.
Richard announced in March that he was diagnosed with skin cancer after noticing a “strange-looking bump under my right eye.” He did not disclose how long the condition lasted, but he noted that it took three tries to remove the basal cell carcinoma. He advised his fans to take their health seriously and prioritize regular check-ups.
The fitness guru’s excitement for his Broadway return has been undeniable. His recent posts feature throwbacks from his previous shows and some of his favorites, like 1983’s La Cage Aux Folles starring Gene Barry and George Hearn. He recalled getting recognized by the dancers while in the audience and sending each of them a white rose, which they appreciated, along with signed handmade thank you cards.