Who is replacing Zoë Federoff after her sudden exit from Cradle of Filth? Details explored

Cradle of Filth's ongoing Screaming of the Americas tour had a scheduled show in Buenos Aires, Argentina. Hours before the concert, the band announced that keyboardist and backing vocalist Zoë Federoff would be leaving the group with immediate effect. Her exit came mid-tour.

Federoff has also confirmed the news through a Facebook post. She cited personal reasons for her decision to step away. She asked fans to respect her privacy. Notably, Zoë made it clear that she would not be answering further questions. The band had just begun the Latin American leg of their tour to promote their new record, The Screaming of the Valkyries, which was released in April this year.

Cradle of Filth has brought in Kelsey Peters, a member of CREWDLE, to step into Federoff's role for the remainder of the 2025 tour shows.

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Official statements from Zoë Federoff and Cradle of Filth

In her announcement, Federoff expressed regret but stood firm on her choice to leave:

"It is with deep regret I share that for personal reasons I am unable to continue this tour and continue in general with Cradle of Filth. Please respect my privacy and my family's privacy. I will answer no further questions. Be kind to my successor. I wish her and my now former bandmates well. At least, like Roy Khan said over a decade ago, God was there after all. Yours, Zoe"

Following this, Cradle of Filth's Dani also used their official Instagram page to address the matter:

"Hello Filthlings, A strange turn of events have manifested out here on tour for CRADLE OF FILTH in South America. Our keyboardist/backing singer Zoe Smerda has chosen to leave the band mid-tour, effective immediately. We, of course, wish her all the best for the future and we as a band will continue onward and upward as always with a replacement singer here in Kelsey Peters, one of the very talented CREWDLE members."

Cradle of Filth vocalist's statement continued:

"In life, one cannot always foresee what the future holds for us, but we will remain ever-professional and continue on with 'The Screaming Of The Americas' concerts for our fans without allowing any of this to sully our onward trajectory. So, our South and Central American brethren, we will see you at the next spat of relentless shows. The shows have already been incredible in Brazil and we are just so exceptionally appreciative of your massive and passionate attendance, my friends and fiends alike. Long live the FILTH! 🤘🏻 Dani Filth, Buenos Aires, Argentina."

Later, Federoff returned to clarify speculation around her Cradle of Filth exit. She confirmed that her marriage to guitarist Marek "Ashok" Šmerda was not the cause. She mentioned:

"Couple clarifying points since so many people decided to speculate in the nastiest possible ways. -Ashok isn't cheating. While the turmoil of being in the band has taken its toll on us, we remain very much certain that we love each other. Please be kind to my husband. He is a good man."

She also stated:

"-We were already planning to leave the band later this year. Certain events have sped that up for me. At this time there is nothing further I wish to clarify and I'd appreciate keeping the ugly rumors off my page and out of my inbox. Please enjoy the remaining shows on this tour and give a lot of love to Kelsey, who is one of the greatest singers I’ve ever been privileged to hear. You will love her."

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Upcoming tour dates for Cradle of Filth's 2025 run

Cradle of Filth has confirmed that all scheduled concerts will continue as planned. Kelsey Peters will join the band for the following show dates and stops:

South America (with Uada)

Thursday, August 21, 2025, Limeira, Brazil, at Mirrhage

Friday, August 22, 2025, Curitiba, Brazil, at Tork n' Roll

Saturday, August 23, 2025, São Paulo, Brazil, at Carioca Club

Sunday, August 24, 2025, Palermo, Argentina, at Palermo Groove

Tuesday, August 26, 2025, Montevideo, Uruguay, at Montevideo Music Box

Thursday, August 28, 2025, Santiago, Chile, at Teatro Coliseo

Friday, August 29, 2025, Concepción, Chile, at Havana Eventos

Sunday, August 31, 2025, Cercado de Lima, Peru at Centro de Convenciones Teatro Leguia

Tuesday, September 2, 2025, Bogota, Colombia, at Teatro Royal Center

Thursday, September 4, 2025, Panama City, Panama, at Latitude 47

Saturday, September 6, 2025, Zapote, Costa Rica at Pepper Disco Club

Sunday, September 7, 2025, Santa Tecla, El Salvador, at Municipal Gym Adolfo Pineda

Tuesday, September 9, 2025, Guatemala, Guatemala at Industry Park

Mexico (with Ghost Bath)

Thursday, September 11, 2025, Ciudad Obregón, Mexico, at Magno Center

Friday, September 12, 2025, Chihuahua, Mexico, at Pistoleros House of Show

Saturday, September 13, 2025, Torreón, Mexico at Centro de Convenciones de Torreón

Sunday, September 14, 2025, Monterrey, Mexico, at Cafe Iguana

Wednesday, September 17, 2025, Guadalajara, Mexico, at Foro Independencia

Thursday, September 18, 2025, San Luis Potosí, Mexico at Centro de Convenciones María Dolores

Friday, September 19, 2025, León, Mexico, at Teatro Manuel Doblado

Saturday, September 20, 2025, Santiago de Querétaro, Mexico, at Foro Arpa

Sunday, September 21, 2025, Puebla, Mexico, at La guarida del rock

Wednesday, September 24, 2025, Boca del Río, Mexico, at Foro Boca

Friday, September 26, 2025, Mérida, Mexico, at Yucatán Siglo XXI Convention Centre

Saturday, September 27, 2025, Metepec, Mexico, at Teatro Quimera

Sunday, September 28, 2025, Mexico City, Mexico at CARPA Velodromo

Europe (with Suffocation)

Monday, November 17, 2025, Zurich, Switzerland, at Komplex

Tuesday, November 18, 2025, Munich, Germany, at Backstage

Thursday, November 20, 2025, Vienna, Austria, at Simm City

Friday, November 21, 2025, Poznań, Poland, at Music Club B17

Saturday, November 22, 2025, Plzeň, Czechia at Šeříkovka

Monday, November 24, 2025, Hamburg, Germany, at Markthalle

Wednesday, November 26, 2025, Stockholm, Sweden at Hi-Fi Klubben

Friday, November 28, 2025, Jyväskylä, Finland, at John Smith Rock Festival

Saturday, November 29, 2025, Joensuu, Finland, at Unholy Winter Fest 2025

Monday, December 1, 2025, Gothenburg, Sweden, at Pustervik

Tuesday, December 2, 2025, Oslo, Norway at Rockefeller Music Hall

Thursday, December 4, 2025, Berlin, Germany, at Columbia Theater

Saturday, December 6, 2025, Zwolle, Netherlands, at Hedon Zwolle

Tickets can be purchased via the official Cradle of Filth website.

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