However, COVID-19 doesn’t appear to be why she wasn’t present at the show.
“It’s been amazing and I can’t wait for you to hear it!”
Fans seem just as excited as she does, absolutely gushing all over social media.

Aside from the practical (or perhaps more cynical) reasons for re-recording music is to make money.
Successful songs being re-released will always be a reliable way for artists to put money in the bank.
Some artists like to do it for a bit of fun, subsequently testing their truly dedicated fans.

“I’m very excited about it.
I think artists deserve to own their work.
I just feel very passionately about that” (viaNPR).