The 2025 Global Citizen Festival takes place this Saturday, September 27, and organizers have now announced a new headliner for the event. New York native Cardi B will perform in the city’s Central Park, taking the place of the Weeknd.
“I regret to share that, due to personal reasons, I am unable to perform at Global Citizen. Thank you to my fans for taking action with them, as I believe in their mission deeply,” the Weeknd wrote in a statement that he shared on social media. “Thank you for your understanding and support.”
In a press statement, Hugh Evans, the co-founder and chief executive of Global Citizen, said “We are incredibly grateful to Cardi B, who has joined the Global Citizen Festival lineup. She’s an outstanding performer, who will light up Central Park in spectacular fashion. We wish the Weeknd support and want to thank him and his fans for all taking action with us to help end extreme poverty.”
Cardi B added, “Central Park, I’m coming for you!!! I can’t wait to be home in New York, and to bring my new songs and all the DRAMA to the Global Citizen Festival. This one’s not like other music festivals—this one is about coming together to help children around the world, and I’m so proud to support such an important cause. New York City—see you Saturday. Let’s get it!!!”
Hugh Jackman hosts this year’s Global Citizen Festival. Joining Cardi B on the bill are Shakira. Joining them on the bill are Tyla, Ayra Starr, Mariah the Scientist, Colombian singer Camilo, and the Palestinian Chilean artist Elyanna. The festival will stream live on YouTube and elsewhere.
Cardi B recently released Am I the Drama?, her long-awaited follow-up to Invasion of Privacy. To mark the new album’s release, she shared the music video for the Kehlani collaboration “Safe.”
