Kehlani Takes ‘Free Palestine’ Activism To The 2025 AMAs

Kehlani didn’t maintain again on the 2025 AMAs, proudly displaying her assist for Palestine with a daring assertion on the crimson carpet.

The singer’s daring look got here shortly after she was eliminated because the headliner for a college live performance over accusations of antisemitism tied to her activism.

Kehlani has been utilizing her platform to talk out in regards to the violence in Gaza, and her newest stance is not any completely different. 

Kehlani didn’t simply present as much as the 2025 American Music Awards to carry out; she confirmed up with a message. In a pre-show interview, the artist mentioned talking out in regards to the violence in Gaza shouldn’t be thought-about daring; it ought to be fundamental humanity. In her phrases:

“It should not be a tough factor. It should not be one thing that I am even seemed at so massively for, it should not be one thing I am credited for. It ought to be second nature if individuals are blowing up and being murdered at mass charges, it ought to be as straightforward as respiration to simply say, ‘Hey, this should not be occurring. Perhaps we must always cease.'”

Kehlani additionally referred to as on fellow artists to acknowledge their affect. In her personal phrases, “I positively assume We have now extra energy than we expect, and every thing’s stronger in numbers, and I believe that that is one thing that hopefully folks will perceive sooner or later.”

She wrapped her assertion with a direct declaration, “All I can say is Free Palestine.” Whereas her feedback gained assist from some, others responded harshly. Below the clip posted by Variety on X, critics labeled her “a Nazi” and “a moron,” accusing her of ignorance.

In a lighter second, a separate clip captured Kehlani shifting her focus from her Palestine advocacy to debate her new music and the “Grown and Horny” period she is getting into.

The singer defined her daring outfit selection, saying, “I am getting into my grown and attractive period.” She added that her look was a preview of what’s to be anticipated from her upcoming music. “I simply needed to suit the vibe of the music that is coming,” she famous. 

Kehlani didn’t reveal an excessive amount of, however promised that particulars on the brand new mission can be introduced quickly. What did she reveal? The visuals will characteristic her stellar dance strikes in “little attire and excessive heels.”

She additionally spoke to ET about being nominated this yr, one thing she has not skilled shortly. “It is actually cool, I have never been nominated in a really very long time,” she shared. “It was actually good motivation for the season I am in, and I am honoured to be within the class with the folks that I am nominated with.” 

Kehlani’s return to the award present highlight got here after a rocky interval marked by backlash over her pro-Palestinian views, a stance that value her a headlining gig.The Blast reported that she was initially slated to carry out at Cornell College’s Slope Day Live performance in April, however the college’s president pulled the plug.

In response, Kehlani took to social media to make clear her place. After declaring she was with folks from each aspect, she said, “I’m being requested and referred to as to make clear and make an announcement but once more for the millionth time that I’m not anti-Semitic nor anti-Jew.”

She defined, “I’m anti the extermination of a complete folks. I’m anti the bombing of harmless kids, males, and ladies. That is what I’m anti.” The mother-of-one defined that repeated calls for to make clear her views had change into a strategy to silence her and injury her profession. 

“So here is the clarification that you simply wanted. I hope that is every thing you wanted. Straight from my mouth, not a written assertion with a white background from my notes. That is straight from me. You possibly can see my face saying it,” she famous emphatically.

The dancer addressed the rising sample of cancellations she has confronted for talking out within the caption of her video, addressing the cancellation of her present at Cornell.  

“ITS BEEN OVER A YEAR. From day oneit’s been clear. I do know you have seen Cornell College canceled my present, and now there are makes an attempt at different cancellations on prime of the cancellations I’ve already skilled over the previous yr,” she wrote within the caption. 

Kehlani urged these criticizing her to be trustworthy about their motives, writing, “If you wish to cancel me from alternative, stand on it being due to your zionism.Do not make it anti-Jew. This a performed out recreation.”

She wrapped her message with a transparent stance on what drives her activism, “All this as a result of we would like folks to cease dying. I hope this helps. I am over written statements and notes app. Let’s be actual.”