An appearance by Donald Trump on Wednesday night’s episode of Jimmy Kimmel Live! left The Weeknd and Belly no choice, but to back out.
The Oscar-nominated musicians were scheduled to perform on the late-night ABC show, but because they didn’t want to share a stage with the presumptive Republican presidential nominee, both Weeknd and Belly canceled their performance.
“I feel like the way I was raised was to be able to see through all the titles in this world — from religion to race,” Belly said in a statement to the Associated Press. “I just didn’t want to feel like I was a part of a celebration for somebody who has beliefs that majority of us don’t agree with.”
Belly, who recently signed to Roc Nation management, was set to make his television debut while also promoting his forthcoming mixtape Another Day In Paradise, which arrives on Friday (May 27). However, due to Trump’s controversial remarks about minorities, religious groups, and women, Belly and his pal Weeknd took a stand.
“I’m here on a campaign of positivity and love and to contribute what I can to music,” said Belly in the said statement. “I create songs people go to sleep and wake up to, songs that they fall in love to. For me, being Muslim and being somebody that appreciates my access here in America, I love the fact that I’m able to be here. To play my part in this business is a privilege and a beautiful thing. The fact that I could lose that ability through the actions of someone such as Donald Trump isn’t right to me. At all.”
Belly’s Another Day In Paradise drops on Friday (May 27).