Pepsi Cancels Sponsorship of U.K. Festival With Kanye West Headlining
Variety • • world
Key Points:
- Pepsi has withdrawn its sponsorship of the Wireless Festival in London following backlash over Ye's (formerly Kanye West) scheduled three-night headlining appearance, amid widespread condemnation including from UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer.
- Starmer and other UK political figures, including Liberal Democrat leader Ed Davey and London Mayor Sadiq Khan, criticized Ye's booking due to his past antisemitic remarks and Nazi references, calling the decision deeply concerning and offensive to British values.
- Despite the controversy, the Wireless Festival website continues to advertise Ye’s headlining performances and Pepsi’s involvement, with ticket sales set to begin soon, while other festival sponsors have yet to take a public stance.
- Ye recently made a comeback in the US with two sold-out shows at SoFi Stadium and issued written apologies for his past behavior, though skepticism remains about the sincerity and authenticity of these statements.
- Jewish leaders in the UK have condemned the festival booking as irresponsible, highlighting Ye’s history of antisemitic and pro-Nazi messaging, and calling on venues and sponsors to reconsider their support.
