The Weeknd cancels Jimmy Kimmel appearance in Donald Trump protest
'I just didn't want to feel like I was a part of a celebration for somebody who has beliefs that majority of us don't agree with,' said his collaborator
The Weeknd was slated to record a performance on Jimmy Kimmel Live! on Wednesday but cancelled as he didn’t want to share a stage with Donald Trump, who is a guest on this week’s show.
Rapper Belly, who co-wrote much of Beauty Behind the Madness, was due to perform with The Weeknd, and explained their absence in a statement.
"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 majority of us don't agree with.
“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."
People who will flee America if Donald Trump wins
Show all 8It’s not like The Weeknd needs the promotion from the show - last weekend he took home eight Billboard Awards, the second biggest haul for any male artist in history after Usher.
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