Sarah McLachlan cancels Lilith Fair doc performance 'in support of free speech' after Jimmy Kimmel suspension
'We have collectively decided not to perform but instead to stand in solidarity,' the Vancouver singer said during her introduction to the documentary
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Sarah McLachlan cancelled a planned performance at Sunday night’s Los Angeles premiere of the ABC News documentary Lilith Fair: Building a Mystery.
The singer told the crowd in attendance that her decision was made “in support of free speech.”
According to the Hollywood Reporter, Vancouver’s McLachlan, who just released her 10th studio album, Better Broken, and Jewel were set to perform.
“We have collectively decided not to perform but instead to stand in solidarity,” said McLachlan during her introduction to the film, which focuses on the game-changing music festival that featured female solo acts and bands.
Lilith Fair: Building a Mystery premiered at TIFF earlier this month and is now available on CBC Gem, Hulu and Disney+.
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“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,” said McLachlan. “Thank you for your understanding.”
Earlier in her speech, McLachlan addressed the “insidious erosion of women’s rights, of trans and queer rights, the muzzling of free speech.”
McLachlan went on to explain how she hoped the documentary about the festival she co-founded back in the 1990s offers inspiration to others in these trying times.
“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,” said McLachlan. “So I really hope this documentary inspires everyone to continue to try to 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.”
The singer didn’t specifically mention late-night talk show host Jimmy Kimmel or right-wing activist Charlie Kirk, but the move comes as a growing number of artists and fans are objecting to Kimmel being taken off the air last week by ABC after being pressured by U.S. Federal Communications Commission Chair Brendan Carr and ABC affiliate groups unhappy with Kimmel’s comments. Kimmel’s “suspension,” didn’t last long as Monday ABC announced Monday afternoon that Jimmy Kimmel Live! will return to the airwaves Tuesday night.
“Last Wednesday, we made the decision to suspend production on the show to avoid further inflaming a tense situation at an emotional moment for our country. It is a decision we made because we felt some of the comments were ill-timed and thus insensitive, “ Disney said in a statement. “We have spent the last days having thoughtful conversations with Jimmy, and after those conversations, we reached the decision to return the show on Tuesday.”
Several Canadian comedians and actors took to social media to voice their concerns over Kimmel’s suspension.
Regina native actor Tatiana Maslany posted a photo to her Instagram stories calling for fans to cancel their Disney+, Hulu and ESPN subscriptions in protest of ABC’s decision.
Toronto comedian/actor Mae Martin reposted a video from actor Ilana Glazer talking about their fear of what’s happening in the face of Kimmel’s suspension.
Toronto media personality George Stroumboulopoulos posted a photo on his Instagram story of himself with Kimmel, while Quebec comedian Debra DiGiovanni shared a video on her Instagram stories of a call from fellow comedian Laurie Kilmartin to protest out front of the Disney studio gates in Burbank.
According to a report by The Associated Press, Hollywood and Broadway stars are urging Americans to “fight to defend and preserve our constitutionally protected rights” after Kimmel’s suspension.
More than 430 movie, TV and stage stars, comedians, directors and writers on Sept. 22 added their names to an open letter from the American Civil Liberties Union that argues it is “a dark moment for freedom of speech in our nation.”
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