Halifax-born singer-songwriter Sarah McLachlan cancelled performances planned for the premiere of her Lilith Fair documentary in a gesture of solidarity to support free speech.Sammy Kogan/The Canadian Press
Sarah McLachlan is set to appear on Jimmy Kimmel’s first show back since the late-night comic was suspended last week.
The Halifax-born singer-songwriter is booked as a musical guest on Jimmy Kimmel Live! for Tuesday, publicists for both the musician and her Hulu-distributed Lilith Fair documentary have confirmed.
It’s the first episode since ABC pulled Kimmel from the airwaves over comments he made tied to the assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk.
The decision triggered a widespread discussion about freedom of speech and President Donald Trump’s ability to police the words of journalists and comics.
But two groups of ABC affiliates in the United States that denounced Kimmel last week said they would not air his return.
ABC affiliates Nexstar, Sinclair will not air Kimmel’s return to late night
Sarah McLachlan might be a little broken, but she’s happier than ever
Nexstar Media Group said its suspension of the show continues, “pending assurances that all parties are committed to fostering an environment of respectful, constructive dialogue in the markets we serve.”
On Sunday, McLachlan cancelled music performances planned for the premiere of her Lilith Fair documentary in Los Angeles, saying it was a gesture of solidarity to support free speech.
While she did not directly reference the Kimmel controversy in her remarks or the documentary’s connections to Disney, she told the audience that she was concerned about the erosion of people’s rights, including “the muzzling of free speech.”
Representatives for McLachlan noted that she was already slated to appear on Kimmel’s show to promote her new record, Better Broken, before the host was pulled from the air.
Sarah McLachlan will appear on Jimmy Kimmel’s first show back Tuesday night as a musical guest after the late-night comic was suspended last week.
The Canadian Press
McLachlan’s 10th studio album finds the singer reflecting on the past decade as she faced personal challenges, relationship hurdles and considered the state of the world while raising two daughters.
Her documentary Lilith Fair: Building a Mystery considers the weight McLachlan carried as she forged ahead with her all-female music festival in the face of criticism and threats over its pro-choice abortion stance.
“It’s a perfect time to remind women that if we stand up and work together, we can create change,” she told The Canadian Press last month of the film.
“Because there’s this purposeful division happening to … keep people afraid and quiet so that the powers that be can do whatever they want.”
