Demi Lovato Headlining 2016 Global Citizen Festival After Selena Gomez Cancels
Former BFFs Demi Lovato and Selena Gomez are trading spaces.
People has exclusively confirmed that Lovato will headline New York City's fifth annual Global Citizen Festival alongside the likes of Rihanna, Kendrick Lamar and Major Lazer on September 24. Gomez was originally scheduled to perform in the slot, but pulled out last week after coming clean about struggles with lupus and corresponding bouts of anxiety and depression.
"The Global Citizen Festival combines music and activism in a way that inspires and affects millions around the world. I am proud to support this amazing organization's ongoing efforts to improve global healthcare and to end extreme poverty," Lovato said in a statement.
And it seems the feeling is mutual.
"Demi has been an incredible ambassador for global health and gender equality campaigns for many years," CEO and founder Hugh Evans said in a statement. "We are so thrilled to align her artistry and advocacy and have her join us as a headliner at the 2016 Global Citizen Festival in Central Park!"
The Global Citizen Festival supports movements to enact worldwide policy change in the realms of global health, access to food and healthcare, women's rights and more.
Usher, Chris Martin, Ellie Goulding will perform as guests of the show and Neil Patrick Harris and Priyanka Chopra will host. The festival will air at 3 p.m. EST on MSNBC and stream on YouTube and the Global Citizen Festival app. Fans can also win tickets to the live event by logging into the show's site and following necessary registration instructions.
Will you tune in to the fest, and do you think Demi's the right choice to fill Selena's slot? Share your thoughts in the comments.
Check Out a Collection of Demi Lovato's Very Best Live Vocals: