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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 

Christopher Hooton
Thursday 26 May 2016 07:58 BST
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The Weeknd took home eight awards on Sunday.
The Weeknd took home eight awards on Sunday. (David Becker/Getty)

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."

It’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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