McchlanTwo of the biggest names in 90s music abruptly canceled their performance in protest on Sunday night, at the premiere of Disney’s highly anticipated Lilith Fair documentary. SarahLa and Jewel cited the ‘muzzling of free speech’ following the suspension of Jimmy Kimmel over his comments about slain conservative activist Charlie Kir

The shock announcement came during what was supposed to be a celebratory event at The Ford in Los Angeles for Lilith Fair: Building a Mystery, produced by ABC News Studios and Hulu. Instead, the evening turned political and deeply personal. While Disney has remained tight-lipped about the late-night host’s removal, the fallout has reached far beyond the studio to Washington, and now the music world. The artists had been set to take the stage following the screening of the documentary celebrating the groundbreaking all-female music festival.

But in a stunning moment McLachlan emerged not to sing, but to speak. '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 but we have collectively decided not to perform but instead to stand in solidarity in support of free speech,' she said. The crowd, packed with industry insiders, celebrities and artists erupted in cheers. Earlier in her remarks McLachlan acknowledged the internal conflict she felt about attending the event at all in light of current events.
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But in a stunning moment McLachlan emerged not to sing, but to speak. ‘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 but we have collectively decided not to perform but instead to stand in solidarity in support of free speech,’ she said. The crowd, packed with industry insiders, celebrities and artists erupted in cheers. Earlier in her remarks McLachlan acknowledged the internal conflict she felt about attending the event at all in light of current events.

'It's a gift for all of us to see [this film], but also I've grappled with being here tonight and around what to say about the present situation that we are all faced with,' she said. 'The stark contraction to the many advances we've made - watching the insidious erosion of women's rights, of trans and queer rights, the muzzling of free speech. 'I think we're all fearful for what comes next, and none of us know, but what I do know is that I have to keep pushing forward as an artist, as a woman to find a way through… because I see music as a bridge to our shared humanity, to finding common ground.'
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‘It’s a gift for all of us to see [this film], but also I’ve grappled with being here tonight and around what to say about the present situation that we are all faced with,’ she said. ‘The stark contraction to the many advances we’ve made – watching the insidious erosion of women’s rights, of trans and queer rights, the muzzling of free speech. ‘I think we’re all fearful for what comes next, and none of us know, but what I do know is that I have to keep pushing forward as an artist, as a woman to find a way through… because I see music as a bridge to our shared humanity, to finding common ground.’

McLachlan, who co-founded Lilith Fair in the late 1990s as a female-driven response to the male-dominated festival circuit, drew on that legacy of unity and resistance. '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,' she said. 'So I really hope this documentary inspires everyone to continue to try and create positive change in your communities... keep championing the causes you believe in with kindness and empathy because ultimately we're all in this together.'
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McLachlan, who co-founded Lilith Fair in the late 1990s as a female-driven response to the male-dominated festival circuit, drew on that legacy of unity and resistance. ‘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,’ she said. ‘So I really hope this documentary inspires everyone to continue to try and create positive change in your communities… keep championing the causes you believe in with kindness and empathy because ultimately we’re all in this together.’

A source confirmed to The Hollywood Reporter that McLachlan and Jewel had been slated for a 'surprise' live performance at the premiere, but following Disney's indefinite suspension of Jimmy Kimmel, the two performers chose not to sing a note. 'We have collectively decided not to perform,' McLachlan declared plainly, without naming Disney but clearly referencing the corporation's current controversy.
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A source confirmed to The Hollywood Reporter that McLachlan and Jewel had been slated for a ‘surprise’ live performance at the premiere, but following Disney’s indefinite suspension of Jimmy Kimmel, the two performers chose not to sing a note. ‘We have collectively decided not to perform,’ McLachlan declared plainly, without naming Disney but clearly referencing the corporation’s current controversy.

The cancellation unfolding after ABC, which is owned by Disney, suspended Kimmel over remarks he made on air about the assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk. The decision came after Nexstar and Sinclair, two of America's largest local TV station owners, announced they would not carry Jimmy Kimmel Live ! in the wake of the controversy.