Cardi B has been announced as a headliner for the 2025 Global Citizen Festival, stepping in for The Weeknd, who withdrew due to personal reasons. (apnews.com) The festival is scheduled for September 27, 2025, in New York City's Central Park.
Fresh off the release of her sophomore album and the announcement of her fourth pregnancy, Cardi B expressed her enthusiasm for supporting the festival's humanitarian goals. She stated, "This one's not like other music festivals—this one is about coming together to help children around the world, and I'm so proud to support such an important cause." (apnews.com)
The Weeknd, originally slated to headline alongside Shakira, had to cancel his performance due to personal reasons. Global Citizen CEO Hugh Evans expressed gratitude to Cardi B for stepping in and extended support to The Weeknd. (apnews.com)
Hosted by actor Hugh Jackman, the festival will also feature performances by Shakira, Tyla, Ayra Starr, and Mariah the Scientist. The event aims to bring clean energy to 1 million people in Africa, raise $200 million to aid Amazon rainforest preservation, and secure $30 million for education programs to improve children's literacy. (apnews.com)
Attendance is free, with tickets earned through actions via the Global Citizen app. The festival will be livestreamed across several platforms, including YouTube and Apple Music. (apnews.com)