Cardi B swoops in as The Weeknd drops out of Global Citizen Festival

The Weeknd has unexpectedly pulled out as a headliner for this year’s Global Citizen Festival, leaving fans stunned just days before the event. Scheduled for September 27 in New York’s Central Park, the festival had heavily promoted the Canadian superstar as one of its main draws. His sudden withdrawal, officially blamed on personal reasons, has sparked waves of speculation online, with many questioning what could have forced him to step down.

While organisers have kept details vague, they moved quickly to keep the lineup strong. In his place, Cardi B has been confirmed as the new headliner, instantly shifting the tone of the event. Known for her explosive performances and unfiltered personality, Cardi B is no stranger to commanding massive stages, and her addition has already reignited excitement among ticket holders. Some fans are even suggesting that her last-minute takeover could end up being the most talked-about performance of the night.

Still, The Weeknd’s absence looms large. The singer, who has spent the past year making headlines with his After Hours Til Dawn world tour and a series of high-profile collaborations, rarely cancels appearances. His decision to step aside at such short notice has inevitably fuelled online theories, with Twitter, Reddit, and TikTok lighting up as fans debate whether the reasons are purely personal or something more complex.

Global Citizen Festival, known for combining star power with activism, has faced lineup shakeups before, but this change feels especially dramatic given how close it is to showtime. Supporters are already bracing themselves for surprises, as organisers hinted that more guest appearances may be announced to balance the programme.

Whether Cardi B steals the show or The Weeknd’s absence dominates conversation, the buzz around this year’s Global Citizen Festival has only intensified. As one fan posted, “Cardi B replacing The Weeknd is the plot twist I didn’t know I needed.”