Cornell University Nixes Kehlani Performance Citing Singer’s Stance on War in Gaza

Kehlani will no longer perform at Cornell University because of her stanbce on the war in Gaza.

The 30-year-old singer-songwriter was scheduled to perform at the university's annual Slope Day concert event as the headliner on May 7. But because Kehlani, who uses she/her and they/them pronouns, has been an outspoken critic of Israel's war on Gaza, her performance has been canceled.

In an email announcing the cancellation, per The New York Times, Cornell University president Michael I. Kotlikoff wrote that the decision to have Kehlani perform "injected division and discord."

"In the days since Kehlani was announced, I have heard grave concerns from our community that many are angry, hurt and confused that Slope Day would feature a performer who has espoused antisemitic, anti-Israel sentiments in performances, videos and on social media," he added.

Kotlikoff explained that he's aware the decision will be "celebrated by some and criticized by others," but he ultimately believes it is "the right thing to do."

Across social media, Kehlani has spoken out against Israel. Israeli forces have killed at least 51,305 people and wounded 117,096 since the war began, per Al Jazeera. In her music video for "Next 2 U," released last year, Kehlani prominently featured Palestinian flags and wore kaffiyehs. The video opened with the phrase "Long Live the Intifada." She also signed the Artists Against Apartheid open letter calling for a ceasefire in October 2023. In one social media post, Kehlani said "It's fuck Israel, it's fuck Zionism, and it's also fuck a lot of y'all too."

Kehlani has not responded to the cancellation of her performance.