Iggy Azalea Cancels Pittsburgh Pride Performance After Backlash Over Homophobic Tweets
Iggy Azalea has canceled her appearance at Pittsburgh Pride this weekend after criticism over homophobic comments from her past and the cost of her performance.
The "Fancy" singer posted a series of tweets before her rise to stardom that have been considered racist and anti-LGBT. In a tamer one from 2010, she posted "When guys whisper in each other's ears, I always think it's kind of homo."
In a statement on Monday, the rapper said she supported the LGBTIQA communities, but helt her participation at the June 15 show would serve only to "distract."
I am a firm believer in equality. Unfortunately in the past as a young person, I used words I should not have. The last thing I want is for something so carelessly said to be interpreted as reflective of my character.
I meant no harm and deeply regret ever uttering those words. As an adult I would never use them because I understand they play a detrimental role in the fight for issues that I do truly believe in. I am sorry to anyone I have offended or disappointed & I wish all my fans and friends participating in Pride the best of luck.
The Delta Foundation of Pittsburgh, which sponsored the concert, initially came under attack for paying Azalea more than its donated to LGBT organizations over the past seven years combined.
The organization said it has heard "the concerns of some of our community" and hopes to announce a new performer soon.
We’re sorry that our headliner choice caused a division within our community but we believe that change happens through conversation. We are meeting with key LGBT leaders to start a discussion that will make our collective community even stronger.
Originally, Delta defended its decision on Facebook:
If we believed that Iggy Azalea was racist or homophobic, we certainly would not have selected her to headline Pittsburgh Pride. We also don’t believe she would have agreed to come if she was racist or homophobic.
Iggy is a highly regarded artist and female entertainer and we have received a tremendous amount of positive messages from members of the community and our allies both locally and nationally that are excited that she will be performing at Pittsburgh Pride.
Critics also claimed Azalea’s presence was another example of the whitewashing of Pittsburgh Pride.
“The Iggy Azalea thing was just a last straw for folks,” says Michael David Battle, founder of the Garden of Peace Project. “Since Delta took [Pride] over, it’s been a white, cis, gay man’s event.”
