Dua Lipa Denies Firing Agent Over Try to Ban Kneecap from Glastonbury [Update]

Dua Lipa and her expertise company, William Morris Endeavor (WME), have responded to a report that she fired her European agent, David Levy, after he signed a leaked letter calling for pro-Palestinian rappers Kneecap to be banned from Glastonbury Competition.

Over the weekend, The Each day Mail reported that Levy was the primary signatory amongst many Jewish music trade figures who despatched a letter to Glastonbury founder Michael Eavis and his daughter Emily requesting Kneecap’s elimination from this 12 months’s competition.

“Dua made certain by way of her those that David Levy wasn’t engaged on her music any extra. She could be very overtly pro-Palestine and that doesn’t align with David,” a supply advised the Each day Mail. “She views him as being a supporter of Israel’s warfare in Gaza, and the horrible therapy of the Palestinians and that was made very clear by way of the letter that he signed and despatched to Michael Eavis.”

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On Tuesday, September twenty third, Dua Lipa posted a press release on her Instagram Tales distancing herself from Levy whereas additionally clarifying the report. “I don’t condone the actions of David Levy or different music executives towards an artist talking their reality,” she wrote. “I additionally can’t ignore how this has been dealt with within the press. Not solely was the story fully false, however the language utilized by The Each day Mail has been intentionally inflammatory, crafted purely for clickbait, clearly designed to gasoline on-line division.”

The artist continued, “It’s at all times Free Palestine however exploiting a worldwide tragedy in an effort to promote newspapers is one thing I discover deeply troubling.”

A spokesperson for WME additionally strongly rebuked the tabloid’s claims in a press release issued to NME: “Experiences suggesting that Dua Lipa or her administration dismissed one among our brokers due to his political opinions are categorically false. David Levy performed a task in Dua’s early profession (2016-2019) and as is customary, is credited each internally and in trade journals as being a member of the group. When he moved out of London in 2019, he transitioned into an advisory position and has not been concerned in Dua’s day-to-day enterprise since. Levy totally eliminated himself from the venture amongst others earlier this 12 months.”

Dua Lipa has been open along with her views concerning the Gaza battle. In a 2024 interview with Rolling Stone, she known as for a “humanitarian cease-fire” in Israel’s assault on the Palestinian individuals, including that she “really feel[s] so unhealthy for each Israeli life misplaced and what occurred on October seventh.”

“In the meanwhile, what we’ve got to have a look at is what number of lives have been misplaced in Gaza, and the harmless civilians, and the lives which can be simply being misplaced,” she continued. “There are simply not sufficient world leaders which can be taking a stand and talking up concerning the humanitarian disaster that’s occurring, the humanitarian cease-fire that has to occur.”

Later that 12 months, Dua Lipa reiterated her stance on Instagram after dozens of Palestinians had been killed in assaults on Gaza displacement camps. “Burning kids alive can by no means be justified,” she wrote. “The entire world is mobilising to cease the Israeli genocide. Please present your solidarity with Gaza.”

Kneecap’s Glastonbury look went on as deliberate, though their set was not livestreamed by the BBC. Whereas the efficiency led to a legal investigation, the case was dropped shortly after.

Since making pro-Palestine messaging central to their efficiency at Coachella 2025, Kneecap has confronted a firestorm of backlash, together with an investigation by UK authorities into resurfaced movies of the rap trio allegedly expressing assist for Hamas and Hezbollah.

Though Kneecap issued a press release clarifying they “don’t, and have by no means, supported Hamas or Hezbollah,” member Mo Chara was later charged with a terror offense for allegedly displaying a flag supporting Hezbollah. The case has been adjourned till later this month.

Most lately, the group was banned from Canada forward of their scheduled October tour.

Dua Lipa is presently on the North American leg of her “Radical Optimism Tour.” Learn our evaluation of one among her current New York Metropolis reveals, and get tickets right here.

Editor’s Word: This text was up to date on September twenty third with statements from Dua Lipa and William Morris Endeavor.