Cardi B Replacing The Weeknd as 2025 Global Citizen Festival Headliner: ‘Let’s Get It!’
The Weeknd bowed out "due to personal reasons," he wrote on his Instagram Story.
Cardi B performs onstage during the 2025 LadyLand Festival at Under the K Bridge Park on June 27, 2025 in New York City.
Cardi B is replacing The Weeknd as the headliner for the 2025 Global Citizen Festival taking place on Saturday, Sept. 27, on the Great Lawn in New York’s Central Park.
“I regret to share that, due to personal reasons, I am unable to perform at Global Citizen,” The Weeknd shared on his Instagram Story Monday (Sept. 22). “Thank you to my fans for taking action with them, as I believe in their mission deeply. Thank you for understanding and support.”
He was originally slated to headline the festival alongside Shakira, with Tyla, Ayra Starr, Mariah the Scientist, Camilo and Elyanna also performing.
“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,” Cardi B said in a statement. “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!!!”
“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,” said Hugh Evans, CEO/cofounder of Global Citizen, in a statement. “We wish The Weeknd support and want to thank him and his fans for all taking action with us to help end extreme poverty.”
The 2025 Global Citizen Festival will be cohosted by Global Citizen ambassador Hugh Jackman, Adam Lambert, Bill Nye, Liza Koshy and Danai Gurira. Cardi’s headlining performance arrives one week after she dropped her long-awaited sophomore album, Am I the Drama?, which earned a Platinum certification by the Recording Industry Association of America on the day of its release. The Bronx native is slated to take the project on the road next year for the 30-date Little Miss Drama Tour.
Global Citizen Festival tickets are available and can be earned by taking action to help end extreme poverty on the Global Citizen app. Ticketholders who wish to seek refunds are advised to check their email, where they will receive instructions from Ticketmaster.
Paul McCartney at TD Coliseum in Hamilton, Ontario, on Nov. 21, 2025.Mike Highfield
TD ColiseumCourtesy Photo