In a surprising last-minute development, the 2025 Global Citizen Festival has announced that Cardi B will step in as the new headliner, replacing The Weeknd, who withdrew due to personal reasons. The announcement comes just days before the event, scheduled for September 27 in New York City’s Central Park. The sudden change has created buzz among fans and added new energy to the already star-studded lineup.
The Weeknd, who had been set to co-headline alongside Shakira, confirmed his withdrawal through a brief statement citing personal matters, thanking supporters for their understanding and reaffirming his commitment to the festival’s mission of tackling global issues. His departure left organizers scrambling to fill one of the most prominent slots in the lineup. Global Citizen quickly moved to secure Cardi B, a performer known for her unapologetic charisma and commanding stage presence.
Organizers praised Cardi B’s quick decision to accept the headlining role, with Global Citizen CEO Hugh Evans describing her as an “outstanding performer” capable of energizing the massive Central Park crowd. For Cardi B, a New York native, the opportunity represents both a homecoming and a chance to use her platform for more than music. In a statement, she expressed her excitement about performing in her hometown while also supporting the festival’s global mission. “This one’s not like other music festivals — this one is about coming together to help children around the world,” she said.
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This year’s festival lineup now features Cardi B, Shakira, Tyla, Ayra Starr, Mariah the Scientist, Camilo, and Elyanna, among others. Actor Hugh Jackman is returning as host, continuing his long-standing involvement with the event. The festival has also promised appearances from global activists, leaders, and policymakers who will highlight ongoing challenges such as climate change, poverty reduction, and access to education.
Global Citizen Festival is unique in its format. Admission is free, but tickets are earned by taking action through the Global Citizen app, where users can sign petitions, contact decision-makers, and engage with campaigns aimed at driving real-world policy changes. The event will also be streamed worldwide on platforms like YouTube and Apple Music, extending its reach to millions of viewers who cannot attend in person.
The festival is about more than music. Each year, organizers set specific targets designed to generate financial commitments and policy changes. For 2025, Global Citizen has outlined ambitious goals, including providing clean, reliable energy access to one million people in Africa, raising $200 million to protect the Amazon rainforest and support Indigenous communities, and mobilizing $30 million to expand community-based education and literacy programs. The organization hopes that the attention drawn by big-name performers like Cardi B and Shakira will amplify pressure on world leaders and philanthropists to step up and contribute.
Cardi B’s presence is expected to have a significant impact on the festival’s visibility and attendance. Known for her ability to connect with diverse audiences, she brings an added layer of star power and media attention. With her recently released album Am I the Drama? drawing strong interest and her upcoming tour already building momentum, her appearance at Global Citizen could become a defining moment of her career. Analysts suggest that the last-minute lineup change may actually work in the festival’s favor, sparking renewed excitement and drawing in younger fans who closely follow Cardi B’s music and persona.
At the same time, the switch poses logistical challenges. Organizers must ensure that the transition feels seamless, maintaining the balance between entertainment and activism that has made Global Citizen Festival distinct from other large-scale music events. The decision to bring in Cardi B underscores the festival’s willingness to adapt quickly while keeping its message of global solidarity intact.
For Cardi B, this headlining role extends beyond performance. It places her on a stage historically used by artists to advocate for global change, from Beyoncé’s 2015 set to Coldplay’s multiple appearances. Taking the spotlight in her hometown before tens of thousands of attendees — and millions more tuning in online — will allow her to amplify not only her music but also the urgent causes Global Citizen champions.
The festival’s unique blend of music and activism has made it a staple on the global cultural calendar since its inception in 2012. Over the years, it has mobilized billions of dollars in commitments from governments, corporations, and philanthropists while raising awareness about urgent challenges facing the world. With Cardi B now in the spotlight, the 2025 edition is shaping up to continue that legacy, though with a different kind of energy than originally planned.
Whether the last-minute change proves disruptive or invigorating will only become clear on September 27. What is certain is that all eyes will be on Central Park as Cardi B, Shakira, and a diverse lineup of international stars take the stage in the name of music and activism. For festivalgoers, it promises a night of powerful performances; for Global Citizen, it represents another opportunity to push the boundaries of how culture and social change intersect.