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Cornell University is speaking out after canceling a scheduled performance from Kehlani.
In a letter posted to the school’s website, university President Michael Kotlikoff shed some light on the decision to axe the R&B star from the school’s “Slope Day” year-end celebration over comments she made regarding the state of Israel.
“Unfortunately, although it was not the intention, the selection of Kehlani as this year’s headliner has injected division and discord into Slope Day,” Kotlikoff wrote.
“For that reason, I am rescinding Kehlani’s invitation,” he continued, adding that a new headliner would be announced in the coming days.
USA TODAY has reached out to reps for Kehlani for comment.
“Since Kehlani was announced, I have heard grave concerns from our community that many are angry, hurt, and confused that Slope Day would feature a performer who has espoused antisemitic, anti-Israel sentiments in performances, videos, and on social media,” Kotlikoff wrote.
Kehlani, who has enjoyed chart-topping success for nearly a decade, has for years been a vocal supporter of the Palestinian people. In a video for their song “Next 2 U” released in 2024, the singer appeared before a Palestinian flag and incorporated the words “long live the intifada,” a popular refrain at protests over the Israel-Hamas war.
The singer is also seen in the video wearing a shirt featuring pieces of a keffiyeh, a traditional headdress worn in some parts of the Middle East and viewed largely as a symbol of Palestinian resistance to Israeli military occupation.
Kehlani has also used their social media to indicate opposition to Israel’s blockade of the Gaza Strip and ongoing military campaign there, as well as to call out other musicians for being silent on the issue. The artist also once described Zionists, a term which can take on different meanings but which many view as supporters of a Jewish state, as “scum.”
The initial announcement of Kehlani’s slated performance drew quick backlash from some on Cornell’s campus, with several of the university’s Jewish student organizations calling them an “antisemite” and demanding a change in the lineup. Jewish students make up about 16% of the student body, according to Cornell Hillel.
“While any artist has the right in our country to express hateful views, Slope Day is about uniting our community, not dividing it,” Kotlikoff wrote in his letter. “I understand that my decision will be celebrated by some and criticized by others. I believe it is the right thing to do and the decision I must make to ensure community and safety at this high-profile event that reaches the entire campus.”
His decision arrives in the shadow of widespread protests across American universities last year over the war in Gaza and the ongoing support of Israel from the U.S. government.
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