The iconic women of Lilith Fair stand shoulder to shoulder with Jimmy Kimmel at the premiere of their ABC News documentary on Hulu, a moment suffused with both celebration and gravity. Following ABC News Studios' abrupt cancellation of Sunday's red-carpet festivities for the "Lilith Fair: Building a Mystery" premiere, festival founder Sarah McLachlan declared that she and the evening’s scheduled performers would forgo their sets. This decision came amid widespread backlash to Disney’s announcement that "Jimmy Kimmel Live!" would be "preempted indefinitely."
“Tonight is a gift—a chance to witness this film,” McLachlan began, her voice steady yet charged with emotion. “But I’ve wrestled with being here, with what to say about the present moment we all face: the stark reversal of so many advances we’ve fought for. The insidious erosion of women’s rights, of trans and queer rights, the silencing of free speech… We’re all afraid of what comes next, and none of us know. But what I do know is that I must keep pushing forward—as an artist, as a woman—to find a way through. I don’t claim to have the answers, but I believe we must strive for a softening, to let in the possibility of a better path. Music, to me, is a bridge to our shared humanity, a way to find common ground.”
She continued, “If Lilith Fair taught me anything, it’s that there’s immense strength in unity—in lifting each other up rather than tearing each other down. I hope this documentary inspires you all to keep creating positive change in your communities, to keep championing the causes you believe in with kindness and empathy. Because ultimately, we’re all in this together.”
Originally slated to perform alongside Jewel, McLachlan then addressed the crowd: “I know you were expecting a performance tonight, and I’m so grateful for your presence. I apologize if this is disappointing, but we’ve collectively decided not to perform. Instead, we stand in solidarity, in support of free speech. Thank you for your understanding.”
Kimmel’s suspension has drawn fierce criticism, many framing it as an assault on free expression, particularly in the wake of the FCC’s warning over his remarks about Charlie Kirk. The activist, known for his "Prove Me Wrong" debates and MAGA-aligned views, was fatally shot at Utah Valley University on September 10—a tragedy that sent shockwaves through political and media circles.
Kimmel, no stranger to sparring with Trump over issues like the NFL and TikTok, offered a blunt assessment in his September 15 monologue: “This weekend, we hit new lows. The MAGA crowd is desperately trying to spin the kid who murdered Charlie Kirk as anything but one of their own, doing everything they can to milk this for political points.” The words hung heavy, a reminder of the fractures dividing the nation.
