Dua Lipa has condemned what she called a “completely false” and “deliberately inflammatory” report claiming she cut ties with one of her former agents after he allegedly sought to block Irish hip-hop group Kneecap from performing at Glastonbury.
MailOnline reported that the British-Albanian star had parted ways with music executive David Levy after learning he was among those who signed a leaked letter urging festival organiser Emily Eavis to drop the pro-Palestine trio.
However, Lipa’s representatives and her agency WME have branded the story “categorically false”, pointing out that Levy has not worked with the Levitating singer since 2019.
In a statement on Instagram on Tuesday, the 29-year-old said: “I do not condone the actions of David Levy or other music executives toward an artist speaking their truth. I also cannot ignore how this has been handled in the press.
“Not only was the story completely false but the language used by the Daily Mail has been deliberately inflammatory, crafted purely for clickbait, clearly designed to fuel online division.
“It is always Free Palestine but exploiting a global tragedy in order to sell newspapers is something I find deeply troubling.”
WME also clarified the timeline, stating: “Reports suggesting that Dua Lipa or her management dismissed one of our agents because of his political views are categorically false.” The company acknowledged Levy’s role in her “early career” but said he moved to an advisory position in 2019 before leaving earlier this year to pursue other projects.
Kneecap’s Glastonbury appearance went ahead, with the group leading the crowd in chants of “F*** Keir Starmer” after the Prime Minister suggested it was “not appropriate” for them to play.
The leaked letter to Eavis first surfaced via former BBC DJ Toddla T, who produced Kneecap’s 2024 album Fine Art. It followed controversy over band member Liam Óg Ó hAnnaidh being charged with a terror offence for allegedly displaying a Hezbollah flag at a gig — a charge he denies, saying he picked up the flag after it was thrown on stage. He is due back in court on September 26.
MailOnline has since updated its article to reflect statements from Lipa and WME.
Lipa has consistently spoken out on the conflict in Gaza, calling for a ceasefire and condemning UK arms sales to Israel. In May she described Israeli airstrikes on displacement camps as “burning children alive” and “genocide”. Israel denies the charge, though a UN inquiry last week concluded it had committed genocide.
Separately, Kneecap said this week they have been banned from Canada over allegations they “glorify terrorist organisations”, which they plan to challenge legally as “wholly untrue and deeply malicious”.
