Overview
- Festival Republic said the Home Office withdrew Ye’s Electronic Travel Authorization, which denied him entry and forced the cancellation with refunds promised to all ticket holders.
- Major sponsors walked away after the booking, with Pepsi, Diageo, PayPal, and Rockstar named, and boss Melvin Benn saying Pepsi had initially approved the headline slot before reversing.
- Prime Minister Keir Starmer condemned the booking and said Ye should never have been invited, pointing to the rapper’s past antisemitic remarks and praise of Nazism reported by outlets.
- Reports claim Ye was offered $15 million for three shows, a figure not independently confirmed, as insiders question the planning and warn of possible heavy losses for the event.
- Ye offered to meet members of the UK Jewish community and said he wants to promote unity, though critics argue apologies without actions fall short.