The people in charge of the Made in America Festival have decided to cancel the year’s event. They said they had to do this because of very difficult situations that were not in their control. One of the main performers, Lizzo, is also in trouble as three dancers who used to dance with her are taking her to court.
The organizers have claimed the situation to be “severe circumstances outside of production control.” The festival organizers have expressed that this choice was hard to make and was thought about very carefully.
SZA and Lizzo were supposed to be the main headline performers on September 2 and 3 at Benjamin Franklin Parkway in Philadelphia. The lineup also included many other artists like Miguel, Ice Spice, Lil Yachty, Coco Jones, and Paris Texas.
Lawsuit filed against Lizzo
Even though the cancellation notice does not talk about Lizzo, it is curious because it comes around the same time as a lawsuit that was filed a week ago. The lawsuit claims that Lizzo is being accused of assault, sexual harassment, discrimination, and making a work environment that is not friendly. Arianna Davis, Crystal Williams, and Noelle Rodriguez are saying that they were criticized for their bodies. They had a very tough audition for their jobs and were restricted by an unfair “soft hold” agreement, all because they were accused of drinking on the clock.
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The legal case includes Lizzo as one of the people being accused, along with her company Big Grrrl Big Touring Inc., and Shirlene Quigley, who is in charge of Lizzo’s dance team.
The next day, Sophia Nahli Allison, a documentary filmmaker nominated for an Oscar, revealed that she experienced a lack of respect from Lizzo. This led her to quit a documentary project about Lizzo, who is a four-time Grammy-winning singer and also the host of the TV show “Watch Out for the Big Grrrls.”
Made In America Festival’s official statement
Made in America Festival organizer, Jay-Z founded the festival in 2012. Below is the organizer’s full statement.
Because of uncontrollable and serious issues that are out of the production’s control, the 2023 Made in America Festival has been canceled. The decicancer decision been challenging and was made after successful consideration. The Made in America Festival has a history of providing outstanding moments for fans of music and attendees of concerts. The organizers are dedicated to consistently offering a high-quality festival experience.
There is anticipation for the festival’s return to Benjamin Franklin Parkway and the great city of Philadelphia in 2024. Refunds will be issued to all ticket holders at their initial point of purchase.
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More about Made In America Festival
Made In America Festival is a music event that happens over two days during the Labor Day weekend. It takes place on Benjamin Franklin Parkway in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The festival was initially revealed by entertainer Shawn “Jay-Z” Carter on May 14, 2012, at the Philadelphia, Museum of Art.
In 2014, another version of the Made In America Festival was introduced in Los Angeles, California. This was significant because it became the first music festival to happen on multiple days at the same time in different parts of the United States of America.
Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Made In America Festival of 2020 had to be canceled. Fans were requested to hold onto their tickets for the event in the following year.
The Made In America Festival typically showcases a group of artists, including well-known and emerging musicians, from different music styles such as hip hop, R&B, EDM, POP, Latin, and Rock.
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