Iggy Azalea Cancels Pittsburgh Pride Performance Amidst Homophobia Backlash

Published on June 9, 2015.

Perfect/REX Shutterstock

On Monday, June 8 famous rapper Iggy Azalea announced that she was cancelling her Pittsburgh Pride performance that was supposed to take place this upcoming weekend.

The newly engaged Azalea took to her Twitter to share the news in a post titled “Message to Pittsburgh,” after she has come under fire from the LGBT community for earlier Tweets that many claimed were homophobic.

After the announcement that she was to perform following her alleged homophobic tweets, Bruce Krause, Pittsburgh City Council president and the city’s first openly gay elected official criticized the rapper while other performers canceled their appearances over her involvement.

“I am truly disappointed that I have to share this news, but I will no longer be performing at Pittsburgh Pride on June 13th,” she wrote. “This has been a difficult decision as I truly support the event and LGBTIQA communities, however I feel my participation at the point would only serve to further distract from the true purpose of the event.”

“I am a firm believer in equality,” she continued. “Unfortunately in the past as a young person, I used words I should not have. The last thing I want is for 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.”

Azalea has been a media target for several months now, being criticized for her looks and her music causing her to take a break from social media and cancel her entire Great Escape Tour stating, “I need a break from everything to just enjoy what I work so hard form and I don’t really feel like I’ve had the chance to do that.”

Also Check Out: 10 Most Popular Celebrity Rags To Riches Stories