New York City Mayor Eric Adams has announced that Kehlani’s headlining performance hosted by SummerStage is canceled after the singer doubled down on her support for Palestine.
“Pride with Kehlani” was scheduled for June 26, but Adams has pulled the show after facing pressure from pro-Israel supporters.
“We write to advise you 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,” First Deputy Mayor Randy Mastro wrote in a letter to the City Parks Foundation.
A statement from SummerStage. pic.twitter.com/dtpw4N0kAR
— SummerStage (@SummerStage) May 5, 2025
SummerStage also issued a statement that echoed Mastro’s statement.
Last month, Cornell University canceled Kehlani’s headlining performance at its annual Slope Day festival, citing concerns over her pro-Palestinian activism and backlash from student groups like Cornellians for Israel.
Kehlani responded by claiming that her stance is “anti-genocide” and critical of the Israeli government’s actions, not antisemitic.
