By Page Six | Created at 2026-09-17 14:09:17 | Updated at 2026-09-17 14:56:20
49 minutes ago
“Barely Breathing” singer Duncan Sheik is in “critical but stable condition” and “currently receiving medical care,” according to his family.
“Out of respect for Duncan and our family, we will not be sharing any further medical details at this time,” the statement shared on Sheik’s Instagram page on Wednesday read.
The family added, “We kindly ask for privacy during this incredibly difficult time and will provide updates when appropriate.”
“Thank you for the continued love and support,” the message concluded.
Page Six has reached out to Sheik’s rep for comment.
Sheik, 56, is best known for his 1996 debut song “Barely Breathing,” which earned him a Grammy nomination for Best Male Pop Vocal Performance in 1998.
The song peaked at No. 16 on the Billboard Hot 100 and was featured on shows like “Girls” and “Glee.”
“It kind of took on a life of its own,” Sheik said in a 2015 interview with Broadcast Music, Inc. (BMI).
Sheik also said the song becoming “a big radio hit” was “life-changing” for him.
Since “Barely Breathing” came out, Sheik has released nine studio albums, his latest one being 2022’s “Claptrap.”
Sheik also wrote the music for the 2006 musical “Spring Awakening” with Steven Stater, which won him the 2007 Tony Awards for Best Original Score and Best Orchestrations.
He told BMI about his love for the original “Spring Awakening” cast, which included future “Glee” stars Lea Michele and Jonathan Groff.
“We got along really great. It was a lot of fun and I will always cherish those memories – the good, the bad and the ugly of developing that first version of ‘Spring Awakening,'” he said.
In 2016, Sheik wrote the music and lyrics for the Broadway adaptation of “American Psycho,” which originated as a 1991 novel written by Bret Easton Ellis, and then was turned into a 2000 film starring Christian Bale.
During his BMI interview, Sheik detailed his everyday routine.
“I wake up, I have some coffee, I try and get my blood flowing in some way, so I either take a bike ride or go on a run,” he explained. “I’m a practicing Buddhist, so I also chant every morning and evening.”
He added, “And then depending on what’s going on, I will wander into this second bedroom I have in my apartment where I have what I call Studio B, and I’ll get to work on whatever it is I need to work on.”
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