Kehlani Faces Backlash After Performing In Dubai, Country With Some Shady Ties

Kehlani (whose pronouns are they/them) found themselves in some hot water on Friday afternoon after fans got weird that the singer had performed in Dubai.  On the surface, the Kehlani Dubai performance would probably raise no eyebrows at all.  However, the singer has been very critical of politicians and other celebrities for not speaking out enough about what’s been taking place in Gaza. They have become an activist of sorts on the topic, so fans reactions to the Kehlani Dubai performance were quick to take her to task.

During Kehlani’s recent Tiny Desk performance, right before the last song they famously said, “I wanna take a second to say free Palestine, free Congo, free Sudan, free Yemen, free Hawai‘i,” Kehlani continued, “Beyond an end to the ceasefire, we need an end to the occupation.”

Some have pointed out that the Kehlani Dubai performance was for Huda Beauty, a brand founded by Huba Kattan, who herself has also been vocal about her pro-Palestine stance.  Still, that didn’t stop the reactions.

Kehlani has always spoken directly to fans via their own social media account so we would expect that they will clear the air in the next few days.

In the meantime, here’s a look at reactions to the Kehlani Dubai performance:

Kehlani performed in Dubai today. Calling for freedom while performing in a place committing genocide right now is peak performative activism. Actions speak louder than words. The only artists I respect are Macklemore & SZA who actually stand on what they believe in https://t.co/0aUUQPbQmF

— Saroyah♡ྀི🎀 (@saroyahx) January 17, 2025

Celebrities performative activism is genuinely disgusting, how can you say Free Sudan and then perform in the country that is arming their oppressors a few months later? So disappointed in Kehlani pic.twitter.com/9Zxfu03k6q

— Hasan 👁‍🗨 (@flackospalace) January 17, 2025

kehlani performing in dubai like she wasn’t advocating for Sudan just a few months ago, what the hell is that about? pic.twitter.com/9hOOoDKKYW

— ‏͏͏ً (@CAMOFORMULA) January 16, 2025

Kehlani is performing in Dubai which is odd considering how vocal she’s been with what’s happening in Sudan

Twt users: well she performed for Huda Beauty

She’s still performing in Dubai..? pic.twitter.com/jbdOKEeSO1

— Manda (@rkivedimpless) January 18, 2025

Can’t wait for the day y’all stop expecting activism from celebrities…like who cares what kehlani is doing https://t.co/F8roWJCKIF pic.twitter.com/OIJECy6SMt

— (gay baby daddy) (@cityboyzz405) January 17, 2025

I thought we been knew Kehlani was fake woke… pic.twitter.com/W36gx00EIM

— 🗝️ (@DiaryOfKeysus) January 17, 2025

Fuck @hudabeauty and @Kehlani !!!!!! FREE SUDAN & FUCK THE UAE https://t.co/K4wUagZVpW

— free the world #abolishamerikkka (@fvckamerikkkaa) January 18, 2025

Image Credit: Steve Jennings / Contributor |  Getty Images

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