Made In America Festival Cancelled Amid Lizzo Scandal
Jay-Z‘s annual Made In America Festival has been canceled for the first time ever as the show’s headliner, Lizzo, navigates controversy.
Organizers cited “severe circumstances outside of production control,” according to Variety.
Lizzo and Sza, the festival headliners, were to be joined by Ice Spice, Lil Yachty, Miguel, Latto, Coi Leray, Doechii, Metro Boomin, along with a joint set from hip-hop legends Mase and Cam’ron. The show was scheduled to take place Sept. 2 and 3 at Philadelphia’s Benjamin Franklin Parkway.
The festival debuted in 2014 and reportedly has had a $180 million economic impact on Philadelphia.
“This decision has been difficult and has not been made lightly nor without immense deliberation,” organizers wrote in a statement.
Ticket holders will be refunded and the festival has already announced plans to return in 2024. But with Lizzo listed as the headliner during her onslaught of legal woes, fans are speculating if her current controversy is what led to the 2023 festival being canceled.
The festival posted the cancellation message on social media Tuesday (Aug. 8), with many fans blaming Lizzo and the two-day show’s lineup for the halt.
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“NO SURPRISE WHEN YOUR HEADLINER IS LITERALLY BEING SUED. AND Y’ALL LESSEN THE GENRE OF MUSIC AND THE NUMBER OF ARTIST,” ONE FAN WROTE.
“The circumstances were that trash a** lineup Lizzo headliner is insanity,” added someone else.
One user claimed fans only wanted Lizzo removed and not the entire lineup. The Grammy award-winning singer has been under fire amid accusations from former dancers and team members who claim Lizzo practices a hostile work environment.
Some dancers claimed to have been weight shamed, sexually harassed, and mistreated, among other slights. Lizzo has denied the accusations.
The concert could of went on without lizzo an I believe she is a mean girl most people who are lg at a young age could of been bullied an now she has made it an under cover on who she really is so she still a sad person inside 😔