Latest news with #VictoriaCanal
Express Tribune
a day 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.
Time of India
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Victoria Canal Exposes Hollywood's Dark Side: Grooming & Abuse Claims Ignite Firestorm
/ Aug 18, 2025, 04:20PM IST Spanish-American singer Victoria Canal has made shocking claims against a 'very powerful' man, accusing him of grooming and abusing her. In an emotional Instagram post shared on her 27th birthday, the June Baby star revealed how trauma had haunted her for eight years, resurfacing after a recent assault unlocked buried memories. Born without part of her right arm, Canal described her alleged abuser as a decades-older family man with a respected public image, yet privately controlling, threatening, and exploitative. She claims he touched her, took non-consensual photos, and isolated her by warning that her career would be destroyed, even admitting later that his manipulation was premeditated.
Time of India
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Michael Franti's Soulshine at Sea 3 Cruise canceled following allegations against the singer
The Soulshine at Sea 3 music cruise, headlined by singer Michael Franti, has been canceled after several performers — including Dispatch, Maggie Rose, HIRIE, and Liz Vice — pulled out of the lineup, Rolling Stone reported. Festival promoter Sixthman announced on Sunday that the event, originally scheduled for November 4–8, 2025, would not move forward. 'In light of recent events, the Soulshine at Sea with Michael Franti event scheduled for November 4-8, 2025, is cancelled. We are actively working to announce a new event that will sail November 4-8, 2025. Additional details will be shared tomorrow, Monday, August 18,' Sixthman said in a statement. The promoter also assured booked guests that they would be offered full refunds or future Sixthman credits, with more details to follow. Who is Michael Franti? Michael Franti (born April 21, 1966) is a singer, songwriter, and activist best known as the frontman of Michael Franti & Spearhead. He began his career in the 1980s with experimental groups The Beatnigs and The Disposable Heroes of Hiphoprisy before forming Spearhead in the '90s. Some of the band's notable albums include Stay Human (2001) and All Rebel Rockers (2008). Allegations from Victoria Canal Earlier this month, singer-songwriter Victoria Canal alleged in an Instagram post that she had been sexually abused and groomed by an unnamed 'very powerful' man in the music industry when she was 19. 'This is something I've never spoken about publicly, and have been holding for 8 years now – it has plagued my body, spirit, and mind, in subliminal and overt ways, for my entire 20s,' Canal wrote on August 11. She claimed the man, much older than her, had 'plucked me out of the internet, and college, and invited me on my first professional opportunity.' While she chose not to identify him — citing fear of financial loss or legal action — online speculation pointed toward Michael Franti, who had invited her to collaborate in Nashville in 2018. Michael Franti Responds On Sunday, amid intensifying scrutiny, Michael Franti issued a statement acknowledging a 'relationship' with an unnamed artist outside of his marriage. '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 wrote. 'I vehemently dispute any version of the story that says otherwise.' "Get the latest updates on Times of India, including reviews of the movie Coolie and War 2 ."
Hindustan Times
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Hindustan Times
Singer Victoria Canal accuses ‘powerful' man of sexual abuse in Instagram post: 'When I was 19...'
Victoria Canal, one of modern pop's most promising young voices, was born with a congenital condition. However, despite it all, the Spanish-American artist has been outspoken about rejecting labels and refuses to let her disability define her. Victoria Canal recently made an Instagram post talking about the grooming and abuse she faced early in her career.(Instagram) The artist recently hit the headlines for speaking about her career and disclosures about grooming and abuse, which even led to the cancellation of the Soulshine at Sea festival. According to a Prime Timer report, Canal, who was born without the lower half of her right arm, in interviews compares it to something as ordinary as having 'an unlucky-shaped nose'. She has insisted that she does not want to be boxed as 'the one-armed singer' like Stevie Wonder, who is not solely defined by blindness. Her perspective has been vital to the music she creates. Canal learned to play piano without her right hand and developed unique chord voicings and creative techniques, which are central to her songwriting, the Prime Timer report added. Also Read: BTS' V shares adorable unseen childhood photos flaunting his glow-up in 25 years; fans call him 'timeless and iconic' Victoria Canal's career in music Born in Munich and raised across the globe, Canal grew up communicating online the most due to her family's nomadic lifestyle. Her breakthrough, too, came through Instagram, where short clips of her performance caught the attention of artists like Michael Franti and Emily King, who later invited her on tour. Canal has since shared stages with major acts, fronted Nike's Jordan FlyEase campaign, and in 2024, she won the prestigious Ivor Novello Award in the UK for songwriting. Her music, known for its vulnerability and honesty, explores themes of body image, identity, and resilience, the Prime Timer added. Abuse allegations and industry fallout Earlier this month, Canal revealed in an Instagram post that early in her career, she was groomed and abused by a 'very powerful, decades-older man' who offered her first professional break. In the post, she described how she was manipulated into silence by the abuser, who made her believe that no one else wanted her. Canal revealed that she was told speaking about the abuse would end her career before it even began, a report in Music Ally stated. Victoria said the experience, which lasted a little over a year, has had a lasting effect on her intimate life and that sharing her truth was part of her healing journey. Although she did not name her alleged abuser, speculation online claimed that she was speaking about musician Michael Franti. However, the claims have not been verified, the Music Ally report added. The repercussions, the outlet added, were rather swift, with fellow band Dispatch announcing they were withdrawing from Soulshine at Sea, a music cruise organized by Franti's team. They cited "deeply disturbing public allegations involving another artist on the lineup.' Also Read: Universal Music CEO breaks silence on Drake's lawsuit over Kendrick Lamar's Not Like Us: 'Makes no sense' For Canal, speaking openly about abuse, like her previous disclosures about body image and mental health, is part of reclaiming her power. She said, 'Whatever you look like, whatever you are feeling, you are accepted, you are enough. You are more than enough." FAQs What happened to Victoria Canal's arm? She was born without the lower half of her right arm, a congenital condition she refuses to let define her identity. Who is Victoria Canal? She is a Spanish-American singer-songwriter, born in Munich and raised internationally, known for her emotive songwriting and advocacy. What recent allegations has she shared? In 2024, she revealed she had been groomed and abused early in her career by a much older, powerful man. Who has Victoria Canal accused? Victoria Canal has not named her alleged abuser. Online speculation has circulated, but no claims are confirmed.
New York Post
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- New York Post
Singer Victoria Canal accuses ‘powerful, decades-older man' of sexual abuse, grooming in lengthy instagram post
Spanish-American singer Victoria Canal has accused a 'very powerful' man in the music industry of sexually abusing and grooming her eight years ago. Canal shared the shocking allegations in a lengthy Instagram post. 5 Victoria Canal attends the 'Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning' premiere in NYC on May 18, 2025. WireImage 'This is something I've never spoken about publicly, and have been holding for 8 years now – it has plagued my body, spirit, and mind, in subliminal and overt ways, for my entire 20s,' Canal began on Aug. 11. 'It was only earlier this year, when I was assaulted by a stranger in a rehearsal space, that something in my subconscious awoke (including many buried memories) and helped me start to understand the effects of what happened to me,' the 'June Baby' singer continued. 5 Victoria Canal has accused a 'very powerful' man in the music industry of sexually abusing and grooming her eight years ago. Victoria Canal / Instagram 'Today, on my 27th birthday, I am choosing my own freedom by sharing this with you all,' Canal added. 'I am letting it out, to be able to let it go. This decision feels so right in my body.' Canal, who was born without the lower half of her right arm, alleged that a 'very powerful' and 'decades-older man' took advantage of her when she was just 19. Although she would not mention her alleged abuser by name out of fear of retaliation, 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. 5 Victoria Canal shared the shocking allegations in a lengthy Instagram post. Victoria Canal / Instagram After taking Canal under his wing, the alleged perpetrator purportedly began to touch and take pictures of the pop star without her consent. 'These behaviors progressed over a year, slowly keeping me more isolated in a highly unfamiliar and contained environment,' Canal alleged further. '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.' Following 'a little over a year' of the alleged sexual abuse and grooming, Canal's purported abuser 'verbally admitted' that getting her 'in this position had been his plan all along.' 5 Victoria Canal at the Los Angeles County Fair on May 3, 2025. Getty Images for The Recording Academy Although Canal admitted that her world 'ruptured,' and it has been a 'long and evolving journey in reclaiming my emotional and spiritual health,' she shared that therapy, psychedelic treatment, talking with other men and women, and making art have helped her recover. Canal, who has been professionally linked to Coldplay's Chris Martin in recent years, also clarified that her alleged abuser was 'not among the mentors who have championed me since I got signed to a major label in 2022.' 5 Victoria Canal performs at the Neighborhood Theatre in Charlotte, North Carolina, on May 19, 2025. Getty Images 'These men have actually been a healing force in my life in being able to understand that not all people in positions of power abuse it,' the 'California Sober' singer wrote. 'These mentors have, among others, shown me that healthy mentorship does exist, there are men that wholly want to help, and I am so eternally grateful for that lesson.' 'Please don't entangle those people with this person,' Canal added. The Post has reached out to Canal's rep for comment.
