Latest news with #Franti
NDTV
8 hours ago
- Entertainment
- NDTV
US Singer Admits To Cheating On His Wife While On Tour: "I Broke Her Heart"
Michael Franti, the lead singer of Spearhead, recently revealed a personal struggle with infidelity in an Instagram message to his over 262,000 followers. The 59-year-old singer confessed to having an affair seven years ago while on tour with another artist, which his wife discovered, leading to significant turmoil in their family life. In the post, Mr Franti expressed deep remorse for breaking his marital vows and betraying his wife's trust, acknowledging the immense emotional distress he caused. "7 years ago, I had a romantic relationship outside my marriage. It was with an artist who was touring with me. I broke my wedding vows, I broke my wife's trust, I broke her heart, and for that am deeply sorry for the pain my actions have caused her," he wrote. "Over the course of the tour, we spent a lot of time together and soon began to feel strong emotions for one another. Eventually, I made the most regrettable mistake of allowing the relationship to become romantic. My wife found out about it, and to save my marriage, we ended the relationship. The artist stayed on tour with us, and we maintained a professional relationship. After the tour ended, she continued to perform at several shows," the singer-musician added. See the post here: View this post on Instagram A post shared by Michael Franti (@michaelfranti) Notably, his decision to come forward publicly is said to be influenced by Victoria Canal's allegations. Singer-songwriter Victoria Canal recently revealed that she had a year-long abusive relationship with an older, "very powerful" man in the music industry. She shared the allegations in an Instagram post last Monday. Without naming the individual, Ms Canal claimed she was "groomed and manipulated." View this post on Instagram A post shared by vc (@victoriacanal) In his statement, Mr Franti acknowledged the artist's recent posts about their relationship but dismissed the abuse. He wrote, "I'm aware of the recent posts this artist made about our relationship, and while I support her need to express herself publicly, the relationship was completely consensual, based on mutual feelings and attraction. I vehemently dispute any version of the story that says otherwise. I will, however, take full accountability for not better recognising the power imbalance as she was younger than me, and was the headliner on tour." As a result of the allegations, the Soulshine at Sea music cruise, scheduled for November 4-8, 2025, was cancelled. Several artists, including Dispatch, Maggie Rose, Hirie, and Liz Vice, withdrew from the event, prompting festival promoter Sixthman to announce the cancellation. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Soulshine At Sea (@soulshineatsea) Michael Franti is married to Sara Agah Franti, a former emergency room nurse. She is also a philanthropist, founding 'Do It For Love', a non-profit wish-granting organisation based in the San Francisco Bay Area. Additionally, she serves as CEO of Soulshine Bali, a sound and wellness resort in Indonesia that she co-owns with Mr Franti. The couple tied the knot in 2015 and has two children together, born in 2018 and May 2025.
New York Post
8 hours ago
- Entertainment
- New York Post
Spearhead frontman Michael Franti responds to Victoria Canal sexual abuse claims as major acts drop out of Soulshine cruise
Michael Franti is sharing his side of the story after Spanish-American singer Victoria Canal accused someone in the music industry of sexual abuse. Last week, Canal, 27, released a statement on Instagram claiming that an unnamed 'very powerful' man abused and groomed her eight years ago at the start of her career. 12 Michael Franti performs in Charlotte, North Carolina on May 10. Getty Images 12 Victoria Canal at the the Los Angeles Chapter LA County Fair on May 3. Getty Images for The Recording Academy Following Canal's post, Soulshine At Sea, a four-day concert cruise that was set to take place in November and be headlined by Franti, 59, was canceled. Dispatch, Maggie Rose, Hirie, and Liz Vice all also announced they were no longer performing on the cruise. In addition, Tank And The Bangas announced they were dropping out of their upcoming tour with Michael Franti & Spearhead. Canal commented a heart emoji and a praying emoji on the post. On Sunday, Franti released his own lengthy statement in response to Canal's claims. The musician, who has been married to his wife Sara since 2015, admitted that he had an affair but disputed abuse claims. 12 Michael Franti attends Global Green USA's 5th Annual Pre Oscar Party in 2008. Jason Merritt/ '7 years ago I had a romantic relationship outside my marriage,' Franti wrote. 'It was with an artist who was touring with me. I broke my wedding vows, I broke my wife's trust, I broke her heart, and for that I am deeply sorry for the pain my actions have caused her.' Franti explained that he and Canal developed 'strong emotions for one another' during the tour and he eventually 'made the most regrettable mistake of allowing the relationship to become romantic.' 12 Michael Franti's statement on Instagram. Instagram/michaelfranti 12 Michael Franti speaks out about the sexual abuse claims. Instagram/michaelfranti 'My wife found out about it and to save my marriage, we ended the relationship,' he shared. 'The artist stayed on tour with us and we maintained a professional relationship. After the tour ended, she continued to perform at several shows.' 'During the last 7 years my wife and I have done an incredible amount of work for me to repair the damage that I did,' Franti continued. 12 Michael Franti performing in Charlotte in May 2025. Getty Images The singer then stated: 'I'm aware of the recent posts this artist made about our relationship, and while I support her need to express herself publicly, the relationship was completely consensual, based on mutual feelings and attraction.' Franti said that he 'vehemently disputes' Canal's claims but promised to 'take full accountability for not better recognizing the power imbalance as she was younger than me, and I was the headliner on tour.' 'For those reasons alone, I never should have allowed the relationship to become romantic,' he added. 12 Victoria Canal performs in Charlotte, North Carolina on May 19. Getty Images Later in his statement, Franti said, 'I have and continue to apologize to my wife Sara and my family for the pain that I have caused you. I am also apologizing to the artist for the pain that you are going through.' Canal responded to Franti's statement on her Instagram Stories Monday, writing that it was 'definitely challenging to read given the truth of my experience.' 12 Michael Franti performs in Charlotte, North Carolina. Getty Images 'But it's not capacity to go to war on this,' she continued. 'I am used to gaslighting from this person. People are gonna believe what they believe — I'm the one that has to live with effects of what really happened in my body, and I am the one responsible for my own healing.' 12 Victoria Canal attends the 'Mission: Impossible: The Final Reckoning' premiere in NYC in May 2025. Getty Images for Paramount Pictures 12 Victoria Canal's statement on Instagram. Instagram/victoriacanal 'I had no agenda for sharing my story – I simply want to let go, and to let young women entering the world of music know to keep their eyes open and protect themselves,' Canal added. The Post has reached out to Franti and Canal's reps for comment. In her original Aug. 11 post, Canal — who was born without the lower half of her right arm — told her followers that she was 'choosing my own freedom' by coming forward with her alleged story. 12 Victoria Canal in an Instagram photo. She wouldn't mention her alleged abuser by name out of fear of retaliation, but the pop star described him as someone who appears to be a 'loving, charismatic and principled' family man with a 'very active career.' 'However, behind closed doors, this person has a history of incredibly damaging behavior across the board, and has a team of enablers around him who have fiercely protected his image, perpetuating this behavior for decades,' the 'Cake' singer wrote. 12 Victoria Canal. Instagram/victoriacanal Canal accused the alleged perpetrator of touching and take pictures of her without her consent. She also said she was subjected to the alleged sexual abuse and grooming for 'a little over a year.' The 'Favor' singer added that therapy, psychedelic treatment, talking with other men and women, and making art have helped her recover from the alleged abuse she experienced.
Hindustan Times
10 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Hindustan Times
Who is Michael Franti's wife and what is his net worth? 'I broke my wife's trust, I broke her heart'
Michael Franti has spoken out following the cancellation of the Soulshine at Sea music cruise due to accusations of grooming and sex abuse levelled against him. Michael Franti and Sara Agah Franti(Sara Agah Franti/Instagram) The 59-year-old singer-songwriter admitted to having an affair, but he refuted Spanish singer-songwriter Victoria Canal's charges. Franti admitted to cheating on his wife in a post on Instagram on August 17. '7 years ago I had a romantic relationship outside my marriage. It was with an artist who was touring with me. I broke my wedding vows, I broke my wife's trust, I broke her heart, and for that I am deeply sorry for the pain my actions have caused her,' Franti stated. Michael Franti's full statement here: Who is Michael Franti's wife? All about Sara Agah Franti Sara Agah Franti, a former ER nurse, is the wife of Michael Franti. She is also the founder of Do It For Love, a San Francisco Bay Area-based non-profit organization that grants wishes, according to her LinkedIn page. In addition, she is the CEO of Soulshine Bali, a wellness and sound resort that she and Franti co-own. Also Read: When Terence Stamp opened up about his unique bond with Princess Diana: Cup of tea, long chats and 'sadness in her' On Sara's 40th birthday in 2024, the SoulRocker vocalist shared a heart-warming post on Instagram. 'When I first met her, she was an emergency room nurse, which gave her the skills to triage situations quickly, incredible organizational abilities and most of all deep empathy and compassion for all.' Before they started dating, Franti said he and Sara were involved in a long-distance friendship. He also praised his wife's development as an entrepreneur, pointing out that she started out as a jewelry designer before starting a non-profit and becoming the owner of Soulshine Bali. In order to mend the harm he had caused to his marriage to Sara, Franti said he had worked with his spouse. With naming Victoria Canal, he said, 'While I support her need to express herself publicly, the relationship was completely consensual, based on mutual feelings and attraction.' What is Michael Franti net worth? Michael Franti's net worth is estimated to be $2 million, as per Celebrity Net Worth. Franti was born on April 21, 1966, in Oakland, California, and has been involved in the entertainment business since 1986. He has been affiliated with labels like Alternative Tentacles, Island, Capitol, Boo Boo Wax, Six Degres, and ANTI-. His genres include hip hop, reggae, funk, jazz, folk, and more. Franti still performs with Spearhead, which he established in 1994.
7NEWS
12 hours ago
- Entertainment
- 7NEWS
Spearhead frontman Michael Franti admits to cheating on his wife while on tour seven years ago
Michael Franti has revealed he cheated on his wife seven years ago with a younger woman whom he invited to join him on a headline tour. The US musician and frontman of the band Michael Franti and Spearhead released a statement to his more than 262,000 Instagram fans that detailed a secret romantic relationship that only ended once his wife found out. Franti said the relationship was with an artist who toured with him seven years ago and was 'the most regrettable mistake'. 'I broke my wedding vows, I broke my wife's trust, I broke her heart and for that I am deeply sorry for the pain my actions have caused her,' he said. 'My wife found out about it and to save my marriage, we ended the relationship.' The statement came after singer-songwriter Victoria Canal exposed a year-long relationship she had with an older and 'very powerful' man in the music industry, who she claimed was abusive. Canal made the allegation in an Instagram post last Monday, and while she did not name the man involved, she also alleged she was groomed and manipulated. Loading Instagram Post Canal did not name Franti, but she has credited him with discovering her on Instagram in 2018, when she was 19, and inviting her on his headline tour. 'This is something I've never spoken about publicly, and have been holding for eight years now — it has plagued my body, spirit, and mind, in subliminal and overt ways, for my entire 20s,' Canal said. She described the man as 'loving, charismatic, and principled' in public, but controlling and abusive in private, alleging that he touched and photographed her without consent and gradually cut her off from others. 'At the time, this person made me believe that if I ever told anyone what he was doing, my career would be over before it started.' Franti said in his statement that he was 'aware of the recent posts this artist made about our relationship'. 'While I support her need to express herself publicly, the relationship was completely consensual, based on mutual feelings and attraction,' he said. 'I vehemently dispute any version of the story that says otherwise.' The 59-year-old went on to apologise to his wife Sara, with whom he has since had two kids, welcoming a baby girl in May. 'During the last seven years, my wife and I have done an incredible amount of work for me to repair the damage that I did,' he said. 'I have and continue to apologise to my wife Sara and my family for the pain that I have caused you. 'I am also apologising to the artist for the pain that you are going through.' Franti is currently touring America with his band.
Express Tribune
12 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Express Tribune
Who is Michael Franti and why is Victoria Canal accusing him of abuse?
Michael Franti has built his reputation as a barefoot activist, festival favourites and the upbeat frontman of Spearhead. His concerts are often described as communal celebrations, with fans drawn to his blend of reggae, hip-hop and soul, alongside messages of peace and positivity. But now his name is tied to a scandal that has shaken his career, his fans and the music industry. The controversy erupted after singer-songwriter Victoria Canal shared a lengthy Instagram post on 11 August. She wrote of being groomed and abused in a year-long relationship with a much older, powerful figure in the music business. Without naming Franti, she described being manipulated, isolated and photographed without consent. She revealed that she had carried the weight of the experience for years, saying it affected her health, spirit and creative life throughout her twenties. Though Canal avoided naming him directly, online users quickly connected her post to Franti, pointing to her past comments crediting him with discovering her on Instagram when she was 19. The speculation spread rapidly across social media, leading to a wave of discussion and comparisons to other powerful figures accused of abuse. As the story gained traction, artists due to perform on Franti's Soulshine at Sea cruise, including ALO, Dispatch, Maggie Rose, Liz Vice and Tank and the Bangas, began pulling out. With so many withdrawals, promoter Sixthman announced on 17 August that the sold-out November cruise from Miami to Cozumel was cancelled. Ticket holders were promised refunds or credits, while a replacement event is being planned. Franti responded with a public statement. He admitted to a romantic relationship outside his marriage but insisted it was consensual. He acknowledged the power imbalance, conceding he should never have allowed the relationship to become romantic. However, he denied any claims of grooming or abuse. 'I vehemently dispute any version of the story that says otherwise,' he wrote. Victoria Canal has since reposted supportive messages from fellow musicians, thanking those who stood with her. The fallout continues online, where fans and critics are deeply divided. Some express disappointment, while others defend Franti's long-standing reputation for promoting compassion and unity. Whether his music can withstand the weight of the allegations remains uncertain, but for now, the cancellation of his cruise has marked a dramatic turning point in his career.
