The Weeknd Cancels Jimmy Kimmel Over Trump Appearance
The Weeknd and rapper Belly, who co-wrote much of Beauty Behind The Madness, were set to perform their collaboration “Might Not” on Jimmy Kimmel Live! tonight. But, as the AP reports, the two musicians decided to cancel at the last minute because they didn’t want to share a stage with Donald Trump, who was scheduled to appear as a guest on the same episode.
“I feel like the way I was raised was to be able to see through all the titles in this world — from religion to race,” Belly said in a statement. “I just didn’t want to feel like I was a part of a celebration for somebody who has beliefs that the majority of us don’t agree with.” He added: “For me, being Muslim and being somebody that appreciates my access here in America, I love the fact that I’m able to be here. To play my part in this business is a privilege and a beautiful thing. The fact that I could lose that ability through the actions of someone such as Donald Trump isn’t right to me. At all.”
Greg Porter filled in for the Weeknd and Belly as the episode’s musical guest.