SummerStage has canceled Kehlani‘s upcoming Central Park Pride concert over pressure from Mayor Eric Adams’ office, which claimed the event posed “security concerns” due to the singer’s pro-Palestine stance that led to Cornell University canceling a show of hers as well last week.
In a letter addressed to City Parks Foundation executive director Heather Lubov, New York’s First Deputy Mayor Randy Mastro wrote that “we have 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.”
Mastro also suggested in his letter that Kehlani’s show could’ve jeopardized the Parks Foundation’s other SummerStage events as well, writing that “if the Foundation does not promptly take steps to ensure public safety, the City reserves all rights and remedies with respect to the Foundation’s license.”
Lubov wrote back to Mastro on Monday, confirming that the event was canceled. In a statement Monday afternoon, SummerStage referenced the concern from the mayor’s office and said that “we strongly and emphatically believe in artistic expression of all kinds,” but further added that “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.”
“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 Parks Foundation said. “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.”
Kehlani has been vocal in her support for Palestine in the past, most notably in a music video for her 2024 song “Next 2 U.” That video featured Kehlani dancing and singing in front of a Palestinian flag and concluded with a message about “honoring the names of thousands of deceased children” who died in Gaza. The video opened with the message “long live the intifada,” which groups like the American Jewish Committee have called antisemitic.
As Billboard reported, after the Cornell show was canceled, Kehlani posted a video on Instagram saying, “For the millionth time, that I am not antisemitic nor anti-Jew.”
“I am anti-genocide, I am anti- the actions of the Israeli government, I am anti- an extermination of an entire people,” Kehlani said. She took to Instagram following the Central Park show cancellation on Monday, writing that “I just found that one out on Instagram, by the way.”
“I’m so deeply grounded in my purpose, my mission, my art, my contribution,” Kehlani wrote. “Back to this album. See you this weekend LA.”
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