Abbie Chatfield has addressed speculation that a controversial video she posted last year is the reason her boyfriend, Adam Hyde, was refused entry back into the United States. Adam, 37, who performs under the name Keli Holiday, was scheduled to perform four shows across the US and Canada between May 1 and May 7. However, he was detained at the US–Canada border and refused re-entry into the United States.
Speculation Over Video
There is now speculation that Adam was detained due to a video Abbie, 30, shared in July last year, in which she implied 'incels' should harm US President Donald Trump. Abbie went on to apologise on Tuesday for the things she said in that video, further fuelling the rumours that US border control took umbrage with the clip.
However, the media personality shared another video to TikTok just moments later, addressing followers who asked Abbie if her old video was the real reason Adam got detained and later booted out of the US.
'Is the apology coming off the back of your BF being denied entry into the US given you have had a year to rectify your comments?' one follower asked. Abbie responded to the question with a video, saying: 'This apology is coming off the back of... the fact that I'm getting thousands of comments about this and I'm going, "Oh, f***, I should probably say something." And [those comments] are coming off the back of news articles saying this about Adam. Now, I want to be clear, we have no official reason for that [his detainment] happening.'
'The reason why I'm saying it is because of that but it's also because I really do want to change the way I communicate online and I feel I have been doing that. I really tried to rein myself in, in the past year because I think I'm maturing, but I also think it's not helpful. I think that a lot of the people who have called me out previously by saying it's not helpful, [they] probably are right.'
Clarification and Apology
Abbie went on to say she had originally wanted to apologise for - and clarify the meaning of - her controversial video when she first uploaded it last year, but admitted she decided not to because she thought people would understand the context. However, she added that Adam's recent detainment has brought the video back into the spotlight as followers speculate if it was the reason he was refused entry back into the US.
'Because of this press coverage, people are now posting it as a fact that I said verbatim that I want [harm] to happen to Trump, which I did not say. So it's a clarification right now, because yeah, I am getting thousands of comments. That's the reality.'
In her apology video on Tuesday, Abbie said she had 'done so much growing' in the year since posting the video. 'I have [done] so much work to really understand the impact of my words, and also understand that I need to f***ing think before I speak,' she said.
Abbie went on to argue that her original post was only a joke aimed at 'incels' and the online idolisation of accused killer Luigi Mangione. She insisted she did not seriously call for Trump's assassination, but conceded that her words had a controversial impact.
'People have said that I have called for the assassination of Trump. I do not want that to happen. I want to be clear,' she said. 'I do NOT believe that political assassinations are positive for anybody. In fact, when Charlie Kirk was assassinated, I said that. I never called for the assassination of [Trump]. This was a punchline ... about incels and the… bizarre reaction to Luigi Mangione.'
Regret and Growth
Abbie said her 'joke' was 'misinterpreted', but added that she regrets ever making the video in the first place. 'Looking back on all the things that I've said over my career, there's so much I should have done differently, and this video is one of them,' she said. 'But I do want you to know the context and the attempt at a joke that really wasn't funny, and also the fact that I did not say President Trump.'
Abbie finished her video by saying her coming national speaking tour will shed new light on her recent growth as a media personality. 'I want people to understand that I'm genuinely concerned about these topics, and I need to redirect my anger into being educational,' she said. 'Yes, still having a laugh, but not in a way that could harm people.'
She did not name Trump in the July 2025 clip, but made a gun symbol with her fingers and implied he should be harmed. 'Americans, when are you going to do it? Why is it not already done? Every day, there's another [gun symbol] happening, right?' she said. 'Awful for your country, right? Awful, right? Why don't we redirect this energy to something else, you know?'
Impact on Adam's Tour
After completing his Canadian dates in Toronto, Adam was detained at the US-Canadian border. It resulted in the abrupt cancellation of his final New York show. Ticket-holders were informed the gig would no longer go ahead, while Adam revealed his entire touring party also had their visas revoked.
Taking to Instagram, the musician shared his shock over the ordeal. 'Hello stunnas, unfortunately I'm not going to make it to tonight's show at Baby's All Right in NYC,' he wrote. 'I have spent all day detained at the Canadian border and denied entry back into the US despite having the proper visa documentation in place. I'm still trying to get clarity on the situation myself.'
A devastated Adam admitted he was 'gutted' by the decision. 'I hate letting people down and to be honest really wanted to party with you all,' he continued. 'Thank you for all the support and patience while I figured this out.'
A representative later confirmed the singer had returned to Australia and is preparing for the next leg of his domestic tour, with performances across New South Wales and Victoria due to begin this week.
Broader Context
While no formal explanation has been provided by US authorities, the incident comes amid growing concerns around stricter US border controls under Trump's administration. Australians have reportedly been bracing for increased scrutiny following proposed changes to the Electronic System for Travel Authorisation (ESTA), which could require travellers from visa-exempt nations, including Australia, to provide up to five years of social media history. The policy overhaul has sparked fears among many travellers that controversial digital footprints could impact entry approval. Adam was approached for comment.
