Amid Backlash to Kimmel Suspension, Sarah McLachlan Says Lilith Fair Doc Debut Performances Canceled “In Support of Free Speech”

Sarah McLachlan, Others Decline to Perform at “Lilith Fair” Premiere in Protest for Free Expression

At the premiere of the documentary Lilith Fair: Building a Mystery on Sunday, September 21, Sarah McLachlan announced that she and several artists who had been scheduled to perform would instead forgo their appearances to protest what they described as an erosion of free expression.

Speaking at the screening, McLachlan said the decision was motivated by growing concerns over restrictions she sees affecting women’s, trans and queer rights and what she called the increasing pressure on open discourse. Her brief statement at the event—reported on social platforms—framed the choice as a collective act of solidarity in defense of free speech. See the statement.

The documentary is streaming on Hulu, a Disney-owned service, and Disney is also the parent company of ABC. While the premiere invitation only promised “special surprise performances,” sources told The Hollywood Reporter that McLachlan and Jewel were expected to appear onstage alongside an additional surprise guest; both artists ultimately declined to perform. Read more at The Hollywood Reporter.

McLachlan reflected on lessons from launching Lilith Fair, saying the festival taught her the strength that comes from artists supporting one another rather than undermining each other. She urged viewers to keep working toward positive change in their communities with empathy and mutual respect, and described music as a bridge to shared humanity.

The walkout at The Ford in Los Angeles represents one of the first high-profile cultural reactions to Disney’s recent decision to temporarily suspend Jimmy Kimmel Live. That suspension followed Kimmel’s September 15 monologue, which addressed the killing of conservative activist Charlie Kirk and prompted backlash from station groups and political figures. In the wake of those comments, some station owners moved to pre-empt the program and Disney announced an indefinite suspension—sparking widespread debate about censorship, corporate response, and the limits of free expression. More background from NBC News.

The controversy has led to calls for boycotts across parts of Disney’s businesses, and celebrities have spoken out in support of Kimmel. Olivia Rodrigo, who appears in the Lilith documentary, posted on social media that she was “so upset over this blatant censorship and abuse of power” and affirmed her support for Kimmel and free speech.

McLachlan concluded by urging continued efforts to lift one another up. She said that while the path forward is uncertain, artists and audiences alike should seek ways to protect dialogue and foster community rather than allowing fear to deepen divisions.

Source