ABC News pulls Red Carpet for ‘Lilith Fair’ event following Disney’s Jimmy Kimmel turmoil

2025 Creative Arts Emmy Awards - Source: Getty
2025 Creative Arts Emmy Awards - Source: Getty

ABC News Studios cancelled the red carpet at the premiere of its documentary Lilith Fair: Building a Mystery – The Untold Story, after the whole controversy over Jimmy Kimmel. The event was to be held in Los Angeles.

The premiere is still set to happen. The screening and surprise performances will go on at the Ford in Hollywood, but there will be no red carpet, no photographers, and no press on the carpet.

The change was sudden. Just a day before, ABC had invited reporters and photographers to cover the red carpet. Stars like Sarah McLachlan, Jewel, and Mýa were expected to walk it. ABC did not give a public reason for cancelling the red carpet. But many people think the change is linked to what is happening with Jimmy Kimmel Live!.


What Happened with Jimmy Kimmel?

Jimmy Kimmel’s show was taken off the air indefinitely. That means it will not air for now, with no date set for return. The move came after he made comments about the killing of Charlie Kirk. He said some people are using Kirk’s death for political gain. Some TV station owners said those comments were offensive.

One major station group, Nexstar, said it would stop airing Jimmy Kimmel Live! on its ABC affiliates. Another group, Sinclair, said the same. The head of the FCC, Brendan Carr, also weighed in. He warned of possible regulatory consequences if broadcasters do not act.

ABC Pulls Jimmy Kimmel From Late Show After Comments About Charlie Kirk Shooting - Source: Getty
ABC Pulls Jimmy Kimmel From Late Show After Comments About Charlie Kirk Shooting - Source: Getty

The backlash has been large. Many people in the creative community and beyond have spoken out. Some say ABC and Disney should protect free speech. Others say broadcasters should be responsible for what they air.


How does it all connect to the Lilith Fair red carpet?

Many observers believe the Lilith Fair red carpet cancellation is tied to the Jimmy Kimmel situation. The timing is very close, and the red carpet was canceled just after the Jimmy Kimmel show was suspended. The documentary Lilith Fair was made by ABC News Studios. Disney owns ABC, and because of this, many see the red carpet decision as part of the fallout from the larger tension.

ABC may want to avoid more media attention or criticism. A red carpet event brings a lot of reporters and photos. It may draw more eyes during a time when Disney and ABC are already under scrutiny. Still, no official statement links the red carpet removal with the Kimmel controversy. ABC has not confirmed that the two are directly connected.


Background on Lilith Fair

Lilith Fair: Building a Mystery – The Untold Story is a documentary about the female-fronted festivals in the 1990s. It explores how those festivals were seen as new and important at the time. The doc was made by ABC News Studios, and it will be released on Hulu and Disney+ in the U.S. and on Disney+ internationally.

Stars like Sarah McLachlan, Jewel, and Mýa are part of the story. The director is Ally Pankiw, and the project also has surprise performances at the premiere.

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What does this mean, and what should we watch for?

People are watching to see if ABC makes more changes to events tied to its studios. The Lilith Fair red carpet cancellation might be just the start. Others are watching how the public will react. Will this move calm criticism or fuel more debate? Free speech, broadcasting rights, and political pressure are all part of what many are saying.

We do not yet know what ABC’s next steps will be. Will there be more cancellations? Will Jimmy Kimmel’s show come back soon, or stay off the air for a long time? These are open questions.

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Edited by Sroban Ghosh