The event, titled “PRIDE WITH KEHLANI,” was initially slated to take place as part of the city’s Pride Month celebrations, but was called off by the City Parks Foundation, a nonprofit organization that operates the park’s summer series.
The cancellation follows a letter sent by the administration of Mayor Eric Adams to the foundation, warning about potential security risks tied to Kehlani’s involvement. The letter, dated May 5, raised concerns about the performer’s controversial past, including an incident at Cornell University where a scheduled concert was canceled following backlash from students.
In the letter, First Deputy Mayor Randy Mastro outlined specific security concerns, stating, “We write to advise you that we have security concerns about this event, given the controversy surrounding Kehlani’s scheduled performance at Cornell University (which led to the cancellation of her appearance), the security precautions needed for an event like this in Central Park, and the security demands throughout the City for other Pride events during this same period of time.” The letter also warned that the city would consider revoking permits for other shows in the summer series unless the event was canceled.
-Instagram.
Kehlani has faced criticism for some of her public statements and actions, including her music video that references the “Intifada,” a term linked to violent Palestinian uprisings. Additionally, Kehlani has been criticized for sharing a map that omits the state of Israel and for not condemning the actions of Hamas following the October 7, 2023, attacks.
Following the cancellation, the City Parks Foundation released a statement emphasizing the importance of artistic freedom but noted that the safety and security of both guests and performers was their primary concern. Councilwoman Julie Menin (D-Manhattan) expressed support for the decision, citing the need to avoid promoting speech that could be viewed as hateful.
The concert was set to be part of a series funded by taxpayer money, which led to further scrutiny over the use of public funds for events tied to controversy. Both the foundation and the Parks Department have stated that Live Nation was responsible for selecting the artist and organizing the event.
While the Adams administration has supported the cancellation, they emphasized their commitment to a broad and inclusive range of summer events and performances.