Jimmy Kimmel controversy shakes Disney, ‘Lilith Fair’ premiere cancelled

Disney and ABC News Studios have quietly canceled the red carpet for the Los Angeles premiere of the documentary Lilith Fair: Building a Mystery – The Untold Story. The announcement came just 24 hours after reporters and photographers had been invited to cover the event, which would have included Sarah McLachlan, Jewel, Mýa, and director Ally Pankiw walking the carpet.

No official reason was provided for the cancellation, though sources tie it to the ongoing controversy surrounding Jimmy Kimmel’s indefinite suspension by Disney. The network’s decision followed pressure from station owners like Nexstar and Sinclair, who opted to pre-empt Jimmy Kimmel Live! after the host commented on conservative activist Charlie Kirk and former President Trump.

While the red carpet was scrapped, the documentary screening and surprise performances remain scheduled at the Ford in Hollywood. ABC News Studios has released Lilith Fair on Hulu, Hulu on Disney+, and Disney+ Internationally.

The suspension of Kimmel has sparked widespread backlash across Hollywood and the creative community. Celebrities including Mark Ruffalo and Kathryn Hahn have publicly supported the host, while former Disney CEO Michael Eisner criticised the company for what he described as intimidation against free speech. Social media has been flooded with subscribers cancelling Hulu and Disney+ in protest. Late-night peers Jon Stewart, Seth Meyers, and Jimmy Fallon have also voiced support for Kimmel during their shows’ openings.

The documentary, produced by Dan Levy’s Not A Real Production Company and Elevation Pictures in association with ABC News Studios, offers a deep dive into the female-fronted festival phenomenon of the 1990s. Variety critic Chris Willman described the film as “an absorbing look back at why the Sarah McLachlan-led Lilith Fair felt revolutionary.”

Disney’s handling of both the Kimmel situation and the scaled-back premiere has highlighted growing tensions between media companies, political pressures, and creators. The premiere itself remains a high-profile event, though the absence of the red carpet marks an unusual step in managing public and press expectations amid controversy.