Kehlani Takes 'Free Palestine' Activism To The 2025 AMAs: 'It Shouldn't Be A Hard Thing'

Yahoo

a day ago

Kehlani did not hold back at the 2025 AMAs, proudly displaying her support for Palestine with a bold statement on the red carpet.
The singer's bold appearance came shortly after she was removed as the headliner for a university concert over accusations of antisemitism tied to her activism.
Kehlani has been using her platform to speak out about the violence in Gaza, and her latest stance is no different.
Kehlani did not just show up to the 2025 American Music Awards to perform; she showed up with a message. In a pre-show interview, the artist said speaking out about the violence in Gaza should not be considered bold; it should be basic humanity. In her words:
"It shouldn't be a hard thing. It shouldn't be something that I'm even looked at so massively for, it shouldn't be something I'm credited for. It should be second nature if people are blowing up and being murdered at mass rates, it should be as easy as breathing to just say, 'Hey, this shouldn't be happening. Maybe we should stop.'"
Kehlani also called on fellow artists to recognize their influence. In her own words, "I definitely think We have more power than we think, and everything's stronger in numbers, and I think that that's something that hopefully people will understand at some point."
She wrapped her statement with a direct declaration, "All I can say is Free Palestine." While her comments gained support from some, others responded harshly. Under the clip posted by Variety on X, critics labeled her "a Nazi" and "a moron," accusing her of ignorance.
In a lighter moment, a separate clip captured Kehlani shifting her focus from her Palestine advocacy to discuss her new music and the "Grown and Sexy" era she is stepping into.
The singer explained her daring outfit choice, saying, "I'm entering my grown and sexy era." She added that her look was a preview of what is to be expected from her upcoming music. "I just wanted to fit the vibe of the music that's coming," she noted.
Kehlani did not reveal too much, but promised that details on the new project would be announced soon. What did she reveal? The visuals will feature her stellar dance moves in "little dresses and high heels."
She also spoke to ET about being nominated this year, something she has not experienced in a while. "It's really cool, I haven't been nominated in a very long time," she shared. "It was really good motivation for the season I'm in, and I'm honoured to be in the category with the people that I'm nominated with."
Kehlani's return to the award show spotlight came after a rocky period marked by backlash over her pro-Palestinian views, a stance that cost her a headlining gig. The Blast reported that she was originally slated to perform at Cornell University's Slope Day Concert in April, but the school's president pulled the plug.
In response, Kehlani took to social media to clarify her position. After pointing out she was with people from both side, she stated, "I am being asked and called to clarify and make a statement yet again for the millionth time that I am not anti-Semitic nor anti-Jew."
She explained, "I am anti the extermination of an entire people. I am anti the bombing of innocent children, men, and women. That's what I am anti." The mother-of-one explained that repeated demands to clarify her views had become a way to silence her and damage her career.
"So here's the clarification that you needed. I hope this is everything you needed. Straight from my mouth, not a written statement with a white background from my notes. This is straight from me. You can see my face saying it," she noted emphatically.
The dancer addressed the growing pattern of cancellations she has faced for speaking out in the caption of her video, addressing the cancellation of her show at Cornell.
"ITS BEEN OVER A YEAR. From day one it's been clear. I know you've seen Cornell University canceled my show, and now there are attempts at other cancellations on top of the cancellations I've already experienced over the past year," she wrote in the caption.
Kehlani urged those criticizing her to be honest about their motives, writing, "If you want to cancel me from opportunity, stand on it being because of your zionism. Don't make it anti-Jew. This a played out game."
She wrapped her message with a clear stance on what drives her activism, "All this because we want people to stop dying. I hope this helps. I'm over written statements and notes app. Let's be real."
Before dealing with professional blowback from her pro-Palestinian stance, she also navigated a personal battle behind the scenes. Last year, The Blast reported that Kehlani filed for a temporary restraining order against her ex, Javaughn Young-White, accusing him of physical, verbal, and emotional abuse.
In court documents, she described years of mistreatment, which she claimed began even while she was pregnant. She detailed instances of explosive behavior, writing:
"When he is agitated, he cannot stop moving and throws his arms in the air while yelling and screaming at me, often throwing items and calling me horrible names."
Kehlani also raised alarms about how their daughter was being cared for during visits. She claimed their little girl would come home "filthy and reeking of marijuana."
Despite the setbacks, Kehlani is making it clear that she will not back down from speaking out!