Made In America festival has canceled its 2023 event, originally set to take place on Benjamin Franklin Parkway in Philadelphia, PA on September 2nd and 3rd. Organizers of the event, which was co-founded by Jay-Z in 2012, pointed at “severe circumstances outside production control” as the reason behind the cancellation but did not go into further detail.
In a statement posted to the festival’s social media accounts on Tuesday, Made In America organizers explained, “Due to severe circumstances outside of production control, the 2023 Made In America festival will no longer be taking place. This decision has been difficult and has not been made lightly nor without immense deliberation.”
“Made In America has a legacy of delivering exceptional experiences for music fans and concert goers, and it is our commitment to always deliver a top-tier festival experience,” the note continued. “We look forward to returning to Benjamin Franklin Parkway and the great city of Philadelphia in 2025. All ticket holders will be refunded at original point of purchase.”
As Philadelphia mayor Jim Kenney said in a tweet about the cancellation, “I’m disappointed to hear that the 2023 [Made in America festival] will not be taking place. We’re grateful to the partners and festival goers who have contributed to this event’s incredible success over the years, and we look forward to bringing MIA back to the Parkway next year.”
Related: Lizzo Responds To Lawsuit Alleging That She Sexually Harassed, Weight-Shamed Former Dancers
Made in America 2023 was due to feature headlining performances by SZA and Lizzo. Other artists featured on the planned lineup for the now-scrapped event included Miguel, Tems, Metro Boomin, Ice Spice, Coi Leray, Latto, Lil Yachty, Doechii, and more, as well as a “very special joint set” by rappers Mase and Cam’ron, who currently serve as co-hosts of a YouTube sports talk show, It Is What It Is.
Lizzo has been in hot water of late after being named in a lawsuit filed by three of her former dancers. The lawsuit alleges that the hit-making rapper/singer engaged in sexual and racial harassment, weight-shaming, and other transgressions leading to the creation of a hostile workplace environment.
Lizzo denied the allegations in a subsequent post on social media in which she asserted, “These last few days have been gut wrenchingly difficult and overwhelmingly disappointing,” she wrote in a series of notes posted to her Instagram account. “My work ethic, morals and respectfulness have been questioned. My character has been criticized. Usually I choose not to respond to false allegations but these are as unbelievable as they sound and too outrageous not to be addressed.” She went on to refer to the allegations in the lawsuit as “sensationalized” and “as unbelievable as they sound.”
The planned headlining appearance at Made In America 2023 was due to be Lizzo’s first major appearance since the allegations were made public last week. Neither the festival nor Lizzo have indicated that the lawsuit was a factor in the festival’s cancellation.
This story is developing.
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