Kehlani's free SummerStage concert canceled amid pro-Palestine backlash
Another high-profile concert headlined by Kehlani has been canceled amid ongoing backlash over her pro-Palestine views.
The five-time Grammy-nominated singer's Central Park show on June 26 was called off by SummerStage organizers, who cited safety and security issues raised by city officials. The event was one of many LGBTQ+ Pride events scheduled around New York City.
'We have been notified by the Mayor's Office that they have concerns for security and safety issues regarding the June 26 Kehlani concert … as well as security demands in Central Park and throughout the city for other Pride events during that same time period,' SummerStage announced on social media Monday.
Organizers at the nonprofit City Parks Foundation cited concerns 'due to the controversy surrounding Cornell University's decision to cancel Kehlani's concert' late last month. The upstate New York school pulled the plug on the R&B singer performing at its annual spring celebration after complaints that she'd expressed antisemitic sentiments.
'SummerStage is proud to be a platform for artists from around the world to perform and make arts accessible for all New Yorkers in their neighborhood parks,' the statement continued. 'While artists may choose to express their own opinions, their views may not necessarily be representative of the festival. SummerStage events are intended to bring together all sectors of the New York City community and we look forward to welcoming more guests throughout the summer.'
According to Rolling Stone, NYC First Deputy Mayor Randy Mastro wrote a letter to the organization threatening to revoke its license and refer the matter to the police to determine if there was a 'risk to public safety' posed by the event.
'If the foundation does not promptly take steps to ensure public safety, the city reserves all rights and remedies to the foundation's license,' Mastro reportedly wrote.
Kehlani previously pushed back at Cornell University branding her views as 'antisemitic, anti-Israel sentiments.' On April 26, the 30-year-old took to social media and stressed 'for the millionth time' that she's not 'anti-Jew' but is 'anti-genocide.'
'I am anti the actions of the Israeli government,' she said in a video. 'I am anti an extermination of an entire people, I am anti the bombing of innocent children, men, women — that's what I'm anti.'
Known as a fearless pro-Palestinian supporter, the singer wore a jacket adorned with kaffiyehs as dancers waved Palestinian flags in her 2024 music video for 'Next 2 U.' The video also included the phrase 'Long Live the Intifada' in its introduction.
While the word 'intifada' translates into rebellion or uprising, the Anti-Defamation League has called it a slogan for 'indiscriminate violence against Israel.' Others consider it a cry for liberation and freedom.
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