Olivia Rodrigo was reportedly set to be the surprise guest at the Los Angeles premiere of Lilith Fair: Building a Mystery, but pulled out of the performance in solidarity with Jimmy Kimmel following his suspension by Disney.
The premiere, held September 21 at The Ford, was expected to feature live performances by Sarah McLachlan, Jewel, and surprise guests. Organizers later confirmed that the performances were canceled, citing a collective decision to stand in support of free speech.
McLachlan, who co-founded the original Lilith Fair festival and appears in the new documentary, addressed the audience ahead of the screening. She explained that the artists chose not to perform in response to what she described as a “muzzling of free speech.” The announcement received strong applause from attendees.
Sources told The Hollywood Reporter that Rodrigo, who appears briefly in the documentary praising Lilith Fair artists as her “North stars,” had been planned as the evening’s unannounced headliner. R&B singer Mya, who performed during the original 1990s tour, was also scheduled but did not take the stage.
The premiere took place as Disney continues to face fallout from its decision to suspend Kimmel after his controversial remarks about conservative activist Charlie Kirk. The suspension has drawn criticism from Hollywood figures and advocacy groups, who accused the company of bowing to political pressure.
Directed by Ally Pankiw, produced by Dan Levy, and executive produced by Diane Sawyer, Lilith Fair: Building a Mystery revisits the influential festival’s history and its battles over women’s rights, LGBTQ+ visibility, and artistic freedom. The documentary is now streaming on Hulu and Disney+.
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