In a swift reversal, chart-topping singer Keli Holiday has cancelled his scheduled performance at one of Australia's premier horse racing events following significant public backlash over his girlfriend's previously expressed anti-racing views.
Performance Announcement and Swift Withdrawal
Keli Holiday, whose real name is Adam Hyde, was officially booked to perform at the Championships during the Royal Randwick carnival in Sydney on April 4. The show was publicly announced on Tuesday, yet merely twenty-four hours later, the singer's management confirmed his complete withdrawal from the event.
Holiday, best known for his Australian number-one hit Dancing2, is in a high-profile relationship with reality television star and media personality Abbie Chatfield, who serves as a judge on The Masked Singer Australia.
Backlash Over Partner's Past Comments
Immediately following the performance announcement, racing enthusiasts and fans unearthed past comments made by Chatfield in 2022. In a pointed Instagram post, she had criticised other celebrities for attending the Melbourne Cup Carnival.
Chatfield stated at the time: "Guys, I thought we were done with the races. I thought that wasn't a thing anymore. Like, why are so many people going to the races? What the hell?"
She further elaborated that she had received "snarky comments" suggesting her criticism stemmed from not receiving an invitation, clarifying: "I was offered money to go. A lot of money. And I said f**k no."
Public Reaction and Official Cancellation
The discovery of these comments led to a wave of criticism directed at Holiday, with many fans labelling him a 'hypocrite' for agreeing to perform at an event his partner had publicly denounced.
On Wednesday, the event organisers, the Australian Turf Club (ATC), issued an official statement confirming the cancellation. "The Australian Turf Club advises that the scheduled performance by Keli Holiday at the Championships Day 1 has been cancelled," the post read. "Keli Holiday's management has informed ATC of his decision to withdraw from the performance. We will provide further event updates where relevant."
Fan Commentary on the Situation
The public response was swift and critical on social media platforms. One fan commented, "The weight of racing people's opinion won the day. Be interesting to know who the tone deaf person was who thought this booking was a good idea?"
Another observer remarked pointedly, "When you're so into cancelling things you end up cancelling yourself," highlighting the perceived irony in the situation given Chatfield's previous stance.
This incident underscores the complex interplay between celebrity partnerships, public perception, and commercial bookings in the modern entertainment landscape, where past statements can quickly resurface to influence present engagements.
