PITTSBURGH, PA (CelebrityAccess) — In another of a growing list of setbacks for Australian rapper Iggy Azalea, she was forced to cancel an upcoming performance at a Pittsburgh Pride event this weekend.
"I am truly disappointed that I have to share this news, but I will no longer be performing at Pittsburgh Pride on June 13th," Azalea wrote on her Twitter account. "This has been a difficult decision as I truly support the event and LGBTIQA communities however if eel my participation at this point would only serve to further distract from the true purpose of the event."
"I am a firm believer in equality. Unfortunately in the past as a young person, I used words I should not have. The last thing I want is for something so carelessly said to be interpreted as reflective of my character. I meant to no harm and deeply regret ever uttering those words. As an adult I would never use them because I understand they play a detrimental role in the fight for issues that I do truly believe in. I am sorry to anyone I have offended or disappointed & I wish all my fans and friends participating in Pride the best of luck," Azalea added
Azalea decision to pull out of the event came amidst criticism from the LGBTQ community over past alleged past tweets (which have now been removed) that used words considered to be homophobic slurs.
Azalea drew fire from Pittsburgh City Council president Bruce Kraus, the first openly gay elected official in Pittsburgh and several groups, including the Gay, Lesbian & Straight Education Network threatened to drop out of the event. Vanessa Davis, who heads the Pittsburgh chapter of the group, told the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette that making Azalea the headliner of the celebration was an "insensitive choice."
Azalea's decision to withdraw from the Pride show comes just ten days after the cancellation of her planned North American tour. While Azalea suggested that she pulled the plug on the tour due to a creative change of heart, the tour was dogged with rumors of low ticket sales. – Staff Writers
