Neil Diamond surprises fans with rare performance 7 years after announcing retirement
Neil Diamond made a surprise appearance at Saturday's performance of 'A Beautiful Noise: The Neil Diamond Musical' at the Pantages Theatre in Los Angeles, seven years after he announced his Parkinson's diagnosis and retirement from touring.
In an Instagram video, the musical's lead, 'American Idol' winner Nick Fradiani, introduced Diamond, 84, who delivered an impromptu performance of his hit 'Sweet Caroline' from the audience.
11 Neil Diamond visits 'A Beautiful Noise' at the Hollywood Pantages on July 12.
Chelsea Lauren/Shutterstock for Pantages
11 Neil Diamond in the audience at 'A Beautiful Noise.'
Chelsea Lauren/Shutterstock for Pantages
The music icon, dressed in a baseball cap and long-sleeved shirt, was surrounded by fans who joined him and the band in singing the classic 1969 song.
At the end of the performance, Diamond thanked the crowd who erupted into cheers and roars for him.
11 Neil Diamond sings 'Sweet Caroline.'
Chelsea Lauren/Shutterstock for Pantages
11 Neil Diamond gives an impromptu performance at the musical based on his life.
Chelsea Lauren/Shutterstock for Pantages
'A moment we'll never forget. #abeautifulnoise,' the musical's Instagram page captioned the video of Diamond.
In the comments section, fans praised the Grammy Award winner for his electric performance.
'A moment in Neil's life, such warmth in ours, thank you Neil,' one fan wrote.
11 Neil Diamond at the July 12 performance of 'A Beautiful Noise.'
Chelsea Lauren/Shutterstock for Pantages
11 Neil Diamond with the touring cast of 'A Beautiful Noise.'
Chelsea Lauren/Shutterstock for Pantages
'What a treat for this wonderful cast and show! Neil looks great! God bless him,' another fan said.
A third person wrote, 'Magic. Neil is a true Hero.'
'I was lucky enough to be in the room. Great show, wonderful surprise, still have goosebumps. Thank you!!' someone else said.
11 Neil Diamond with his wife Katie at 'A Beautiful Noise.'
Chelsea Lauren/Shutterstock for Pantages
11 Neil Diamond visits the musical based on his life.
Chelsea Lauren/Shutterstock for Pantages
Fradiani, 39, also posted footage from Diamond's visit to the show with pictures of them posing backstage.
'I built up this day in my head for over 2 years. The day where Neil Diamond himself would see this show,' the singer wrote. 'It sounds cliché, but I don't have the exact words to describe how it felt portraying a music icon as he sat and watched from an audience.'
'But mostly I felt honored and fulfilled,' Fradiani continued. 'He's a great man, a great musician, and he's changed so many of our lives. I was able to tell him how much he's changed mine.'
'A Beautiful Noise,' which is currently on tour at the Pantages Theatre through July 27, opened on Broadway at the Broadhurst Theater in Dec. 2022 and had its curtain call in June 2024.
The musical is based on Diamond's life and music. Will Swensen originated the lead role, while Fradiani took over for the tour.
Diamond has mostly been out of the spotlight since revealing in 2018 that he has Parkinson's.
11 Neil Diamond performs at the Songwriters Hall of Fame 49th Annual Induction and Awards Dinner in NYC in 2018.
Getty Images for Songwriters Hall Of Fame
11 Neil Diamond in 1974.
Getty Images
'This is me; this is what I have to accept. And I'm willing to do it,' he said during an interview on 'CBS Sunday Morning' in March 2023.
'And, OK, so this is the hand that God's given me, and I have to make the best of it, and so I am,' he added. 'I am.'
11 Neil Diamond posing for a photo at the Toronto International Film Festival in 2024.
Getty Images for IMDb
The 'Song Sung Blue,' who attended the Broadway play's opening night in 2022 and performed a rendition of 'Sweet Caroline,' also admitted that he was 'embarrassed' seeing his life onstage.
'Being found out is the scariest thing you can hope for because we all have a facade,' he shared in the CBS interview. 'And the truth be known to all of 'em. I'm not some big star — I'm just me.'
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
'West Side Story' Star Ariana DeBose Sends Message After Poet Andrea Gibson Dies at 49
'West Side Story' Star Ariana DeBose Sends Message After Poet Andrea Gibson Dies at 49 originally appeared on Parade. It was announced earlier on Monday morning that poet and activist Andrea Gibson passed away after a four-year battle with terminal ovarian cancer. The death was announced to the public through a collaborative post on Instagram by Gibson's account with their wife, Megan Falley, and their friend, Stef Willen. "Andrea Gibson died in their home surrounded by their wife, Meg, four ex-girlfriends, their mother and father, dozens of friends and their three beloved dogs," an excerpt read. "Andrea would want you to know that they got their wish. In the end, their heart was covered in stretch marks." Tributes were written in the comment section and throughout social media from friends, fans, poets and queer artists. Many said that Gibson's words had changed their lives and helped them learn to love themselves. Plus, people who were battling cancer and other terminal illnesses said Gibson made them less afraid of death by reminding them that we never really leave the ones we love. One of the queer artists who paid tribute to the late poet includes Oscar winner and actress Ariana DeBose. DeBose, known for her role as Anita in West Side Story and a member of the original ensemble cast of the Broadway musical Hamilton, reposted the announcement from Out Magazine's official Instagram to her story and wrote the caption "Rest in power beautiful human." Gibson was best known for their groundbreaking spoken-word poetry, performances and activism. Many of the themes that were explored were gender identity, social justice, mental health and love. They were 49 years old when they passed. 'West Side Story' Star Ariana DeBose Sends Message After Poet Andrea Gibson Dies at 49 first appeared on Parade on Jul 15, 2025 This story was originally reported by Parade on Jul 15, 2025, where it first appeared.
USA Today
3 hours ago
- USA Today
Bikini bombshell Elizabeth Hurley shares her 'secret' for the perfect swimsuit selfie
Elizabeth Hurley is sharing some of her model magic with the world. The actress-model, who's become known for her glamorous bikini-clad portraits on social media, opened up about her process for taking the skin-baring photos in a July 13 Instagram post. True to form, the post featured a picture-perfect shot of Hurley, 60, posing in a light brown bikini as a golden beam of sunlight illuminated her figure. "The secret to flattering bikini pics? BAN overhead sunlight 🤣," Hurley wrote. "When shooting bikinis, sunrise or sunset are your best friends 😉," she continued. "We shot this at 7am… By 8am, I was lounging around in one of my equally flattering @elizabethhurleybeach kaftans, feeling glamorous AND shielded from the lethal sun ♥️." A post shared by Elizabeth Hurley (@elizabethhurley1) Elizabeth Hurley and Billy Ray Cyrus: Couple teases romance with affectionate Easter post Hurley, known for her roles in the Austin Powers franchise, "Bedazzled" and "The Royals," is no stranger to the modeling world. In 1995, the actress became a spokesmodel for cosmetics titan Estée Lauder, which led to a decades-long relationship with the New York City label. "I was far from an ingénue, having had my first modeling job at 29," Hurley reflected during a 2008 luncheon, per The Daily Front Row. She added that Evelyn Lauder, then-senior corporate vice president of Estée Lauder, was "like my second mom." Elizabeth Hurley 'felt comfortable' filming sex scene directed by son Damian Hurley Hurley has also appeared in several advertising and fashion campaigns for brands such as Jordache, Got Milk?, Monsoon, and Lancel. Additionally, she's landed the cover of British Vogue three times. In an October 2020 interview with People magazine, Hurley reflected on her "out-of-the-blue" introduction to the modeling industry with her Estée Lauder gig. "I acted for years before I got my first modeling job," she told the outlet. "I was an actress, not really a model." But the modeling gene runs in the family. Hurley's son, Damian Hurley, whom she shares with late businessman Steve Bing, has modeled for makeup brand Pat McGrath Labs and was previously signed to top agency IMG Models. Contributing: Carly Mallenbaum, USA TODAY
Refinery29
5 hours ago
- Refinery29
7 Fruity Nail Ideas (With A K-Beauty Twist) To Brighten Your Day
If you're feeling a bit gloomy in the depths of Australian winter, why not look for inspiration from overseas to brighten your day? In Seoul, summer is in full swing, and there's a trend sweeping the city that could help boost your mood. Just ahead of my next nail appointment, I've been looking to my fellow subway commuters and their freshly painted tips for some inspiration, which is how I noticed that fruit motifs are everywhere. Think crisp watermelon slices, sparkly strawberries, and 3D peaches that almost look good enough to eat. Whether you're into whimsical designs or crave a more minimal take on the trend, there's a juicy fruit nail set for everyone. Peruse the seven examples below and get ready for your most delicious manicure yet. Apple Peel Nails View this post on Instagram A post shared by 🌼Melody Made🌼 (@ For a twist on the classic red mani, we love this crimson gradient with slices of golden yellow. The understated effect mimics the texture of an apple peel, without being too fruit-forward. Fruit Salad View this post on Instagram A post shared by 네일옐루 홍대네일 연남동네일 (@nail_yellu) With its candy-coated colours, cartoonishly rotund shapes, and glossy, syrupy glaze, this three-dimensional take on fruity nails feels perfect, especially when paired with crisp white linen. Sparkly Strawberries View this post on Instagram A post shared by 서대문, 충정로 더 네일 (@the____nail) If you want to highlight your favourite fruit, may we suggest this dazzling strawberry set? Painted over a neutral base and topped with metallic green stars, these are as sweet as it gets. Mix & Match Fruit View this post on Instagram A post shared by 미미네일 | 까치산네일 화곡동네일 강서구네일 신월동네일 (@_.miminail) If 3D glitter strawberries aren't your jam (pun intended), try a slightly less flashy — but no less fun — take with a daintier 3D fruit for a party on your nails. If you want to level up, mix and match your tips to include some solid colours and softer gradients among your fruit accent nails. Fruit Marbling View this post on Instagram A post shared by 네일유메온 | 빛가람동네일 | 나주네일 (@nail_yume.on) Figs, grapes, peaches, and plums: There's so much beauty right on the surface of these fruits, which is captured brilliantly in these artistic designs. Through a masterful combination of marbling techniques and meticulous speckling, these subtle nuances make for a truly unique mani moment. Grape Expectations View this post on Instagram A post shared by 네일누하🌱 서촌네일 경복궁네일 광화문네일 (@ Another fruity option that may appeal to mani minimalists is this reflective, wine-colored set, which shines in more ways than one. Speckled Watermelons View this post on Instagram A post shared by 일산네일 리턴핑크 일산교육지사 뉘앙스네일 키치네일 y2k네일 : 굽죠잉 대표원장 송혜림 (@goobjoying) Watermelons offer a refreshing break from traditional winter muted manicures. In a sea of standard watermelon slices and rind-striped designs, this abstract rendering offers a refreshing alternative.
