Sarah McLachlan, Jewel support Jimmy Kimmel, cancel Lilith Fair documentary performances
Sarah McLachlan and Jewel are standing in solidarity with Jimmy Kimmel.
The singers canceled their planned performances at ABC News’ “Lilith Fair: Building a Mystery” documentary premiere in Los Angeles Sunday night to protest Disney’s decision to suspend “Jimmy Kimmel Live!”
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McLachlan, 57, introduced the film at the screening and told the audience that the artists are supporting “free speech” by not taking the stage.
“I know you’re expecting a performance tonight, and I’m so grateful to all of you for coming, and I apologize if this is disappointing, but we have collectively decided not to perform but instead to stand in solidarity in support of free speech,” McLachlan stated.
“Thank you for your understanding,” the “Angel” singer added, as the crowd erupted into loud applause.
Elsewhere in her speech, McLachlan admitted that she “grappled” with attending the premiere because of the current “insidious erosion of women’s rights, of trans and queer rights, the muzzling of free speech.”
“I think we’re all fearful for what comes next, and none of us know, but what I do know is that I have to keep pushing forward as an artist, as a woman to find a way through, and though I don’t begin to know what the answer is, I believe we all need to work towards a softening to let in the possibility of a better way, because I see music as a bridge to our shared humanity, to finding common ground,” the Lilith Fair co-founder continued.
“If Lilith taught me anything, it taught me there is a great strength in coming together to lift each other up instead of tearing each other down,” McLachlan added. “So I really hope this documentary inspires everyone to continue to try and create positive change in your communities, to keep lifting each other up, keep championing the causes you believe in with kindness and empathy because ultimately we’re all in this together.”
Before the “Lilith Fair” doc screening, ABC News Studios also canceled the red carpet. McLachlan, Jewel, Mýa and director Ally Pankiw were all slated to walk the carpet.
Disney has been facing intense backlash after Kimmel, 57, was taken off the air by ABC last week for his comments about Charlie Kirk’s assassination.
“We hit some new lows over the weekend with the MAGA gang trying to characterize this kid who killed Charlie Kirk as anything other than one of them, and doing everything they can to score political points from it,” Kimmel said during his monologue on last Monday night’s show.
Following pressure from FCC chair Brendan Carr and ABC affiliate Nexstar Media Group, the network announced “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” was being pulled “indefinitely.”
Fellow late-night colleagues Jimmy Fallon, Seth Meyers, David Letterman and Conan O’Brien have all defended Kimmel and slammed Disney’s decision.
In addition, over 400 Hollywood stars signed an open letter with the American Civil Liberties Union protesting Kimmel’s suspension, including Jennifer Aniston, Ariana Grande, Jane Fonda, Meryl Streep, Tom Hanks, Pedro Pascal, Robert De Niro, Christina Applegate, Kirsten Dunst, Natalie Portman and Jean Smart.
The letter calls on “all Americans to join us, along with the ACLU, in the fight to defend and preserve our constitutionally protected rights.”
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