Summerstage Cancels Upcoming Kehlani Concert Following Cornell’s Decision
Nearly two weeks after Cornell University retracted their decision to have Kehlani headline an end-of-year concert, Summerstage has chosen to follow suit due to looming pressure from Mayor Eric Adams‘ office.
“We have been notified by the Mayor’s Office that they have concerns for security and safety issues regarding the June 26 Kehlani concert, produced and presented by Live Nation,” the statement issued on Monday (May 5) via Instagram read. “Those concerns are due to the controversy surrounding Cornell University’s decision to cancel Kehlani’s concert at the University, as well as security demands in Central Park and throughout the City for other Pride events during that same time period.”
Summerstage/Instagram
According to a letter sent to City Parks Foundation from the Adams administration and obtained by the New York Post, the cancellation stemmed from growing “security concerns about this event, given the controversy surrounding Kehlani’s scheduled performance at Cornell University (causing University officials to cancel the appearance), the security precautions needed for an event like this in Central Park, and the security demands throughout the City for other Pride events during this same period of time.”
Summerstage responded, “We strongly and emphatically believe in artistic expression of all kinds. However, the safety and security of our guests and artists is of the utmost importance and in light of these concerns, the concert has been cancelled […] While artists may choose to express their own opinions, their views may not necessarily be representative of the festival.”
Following Cornell’s decision to cancel, Kehlani denounced claims of being antisemitic.
“I’m not antisemitic or anti-Jew. I’m anti-genocide, anti-actions of the Israeli government, anti-extermination of entire people, anti-bombing of innocent children, men, women. That’s what I’m anti,” said the 30-year-old.
Her political stance became the center of controversy after having several pro-Palestinian elements in the music video for her single, “Next 2 U.”
