Olivia Rodrigo made headlines this weekend after reportedly pulling out of Disney’s “Lilith Truthful” documentary premiere on the final minute. The transfer, sources say, was tied to her determination to face in solidarity with embattled late-night host Jimmy Kimmel. The 22-year-old “Vampire” singer had been rumored to ship a shock efficiency on the star-studded Los Angeles premiere, however based on insiders, Rodrigo bowed out in protest. The no-show got here simply days after Olivia Rodrigo publicly addressed the controversy surrounding Jimmy Kimmel’s suspension.
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Olivia Rodrigo’s Final-Minute Pullout Provides Gas To Kimmel Firestorm
Invites to the premiere teased “particular shock performances,” with “Lilith Truthful” founder Sarah McLachlan and fellow alum Jewel slated to take the stage. However when the lights dimmed, these units by no means materialized. From the stage, McLachlan appeared to acknowledge the cancellations, whereas additionally reflecting on the broader cultural second.
“It’s a present for all of us to see [this film], but in addition I’ve grappled with being right here tonight and round what to say concerning the current scenario that we’re all confronted with,” McLachlan stated, per the Day by day Mail. “The stark contraction to the various advances we’ve made, watching the insidious erosion of girls’s rights, of trans and queer rights, the muzzling of free speech.”
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McLachlan urged attendees to see music as a bridge. “Although I don’t start to know what the reply is,” she added. “I imagine all of us must work in direction of a softening, to let in the opportunity of a greater means.”
Although absent in particular person, Rodrigo nonetheless seems briefly within the closing moments of the “Lilith Truthful” documentary. In her phase, she credit the groundbreaking all-female pageant with shaping her as an artist. “The ‘Lilith Truthful’ artists have been my north stars,” Rodrigo stated.
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Olivia Rodrigo Joins Celeb Backlash In opposition to Kimmel Suspension
Her cancellation comes days after she threw her assist behind Jimmy Kimmel, blasting ABC’s determination to droop the late-night host. The previous Disney+ star reposted a SAG-AFTRA assertion on her Instagram Tales and added her personal sharp phrases, “So upset over this blatant censorship and abuse of energy. I stand with Jimmy Kimmel and I stand for freedom of speech.”
Her remarks shortly aligned her with a rising record of celebrities, unions, and trade leaders denouncing the suspension. SAG-AFTRA’s authentic message careworn that democracy “thrives when various factors of view are expressed” and cautioned in opposition to silencing voices in leisure.
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Rodrigo doubled down by amplifying David Letterman’s fiery take, wherein the retired host in contrast the transfer to an act of authoritarianism. “You’ll be able to’t go round firing someone since you’re fearful or making an attempt to suck as much as an authoritarian, a prison, administration within the Oval Workplace. That’s simply not how this works,” Letterman stated throughout a reside interview with The Atlantic.
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Jimmy Kimmel’s Emotional Return Monologue
When “Jimmy Kimmel Stay!” returned after a week-long suspension, the host wasted no time addressing the elephant within the room. Kimmel opened with a uncooked, 20-minute monologue that drew each a standing ovation from his studio viewers and renewed outrage on-line. Combating again emotion, he admitted his earlier remarks about Charlie Kirk’s dying might have come throughout as “ill-timed or unclear,” however firmly rejected claims he had mocked the tragedy.
“I need you to know it was by no means my intention to make mild of the homicide of a younger man,” Kimmel stated, his voice breaking. Whereas acknowledging the sensitivity of the difficulty, he doubled down on his proper to talk freely, at the same time as he conceded that Disney and ABC have been now underneath political fireplace for retaining him on the air.
“Sadly, and I feel unjustly, this places them in danger,” he continued. “The president of america made it very clear he needs to see me and the tons of of people that work right here fired from their jobs.”
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Trump Threatens Authorized Motion In opposition to ABC Over Kimmel’s Return
President Donald Trump wasted no time lashing out at each ABC and Jimmy Kimmel following the host’s controversial return to late night time. Taking to Reality Social on Tuesday night time, Trump blasted the community’s determination to reinstate Kimmel, accusing ABC of bowing to partisan strain and hinting at a possible lawsuit.
“I can’t imagine ABC Pretend Information gave Jimmy Kimmel his job again,” Trump fumed, claiming the White Home had beforehand been informed the present was canceled. “One thing occurred between then and now as a result of his viewers is GONE, and his ‘expertise’ was by no means there.”
Trump Compares Kimmel’s Return To Marketing campaign Finance Violation
The president went additional, suggesting that ABC’s backing of Kimmel amounted to “a significant unlawful marketing campaign contribution” to Democrats. Trump even implied the matter could possibly be profitable for him legally, writing, “Final time I went after them, they gave me $16 million. This one sounds much more profitable. A real bunch of losers! Let Jimmy Kimmel rot in his dangerous scores.”
Kimmel’s return now stands on the middle of a bigger nationwide debate, testing the bounds of free speech, company duty, and the position of comedy in political discourse.
