The drama at Coachella continues to play out.
Coachella organizers allegedly tried to stiff The Weeknd after he stepped in to switch Kanye West as Sunday headliner on the competition later this month.
We’re advised the singer threatened to drag out if he wasn’t paid the identical cash as West, who was set to rake in $8 million plus a $500,000 manufacturing payment.
Web page Six had completely revealed that The Weeknd was the front-runner to switch the “The entire Lights” rapper, who bailed on the gig lower than two weeks earlier than showtime.
Coachella organizers introduced early on Wednesday that The Weeknd, 32, and home music supergroup Swedish Home Mafia shall be taking on the rapper’s slots on Sunday, April 17, and Sunday, April 24. However a music supply advised us the deal wasn’t but performed for the “Blinding Lights” singer.
The supply mentioned, “The Weeknd got here in at quick discover to take Kanye’s prime spot. However Phil Anschutz [who owns the Coachella Festival through AEG Live] wished to carry on to Kanye’s cash and pay The Weeknd far much less, just some million. The competition would pocket the remainder.”
The ploy led to fraught negotiations this week between The Weeknd’s administration and Anschutz’s firm Goldenvoice, which produces the competition.
The supply continued, “Even after Coachella introduced the brand new lineup on Wednesday, a deal wasn’t in place for The Weeknd, who threatened to drag out at an hour’s discover if he didn’t get the identical deal as Kanye.
“Lastly, on Wednesday — confronted with the prospect of a second headline act pulling out of Coachella on the final minute — Anschutz’s firm caved and agreed to pay The Weeknd the identical cash.”
Whereas reps for Anschutz didn’t remark, a second insider mentioned the billionaire AEG mogul wasn’t personally dealing with the negotiations, it was dealt with by an worker.
A rep for The Weeknd didn’t return a number of requires remark, and Kanye’s rep didn’t reply.
Earlier this week, Web page Six completely reported that Kanye bailed on the gig lower than two weeks earlier than showtime as a result of he “desires to get assist” after publicly dragging former spouse Kim Kardashian and her boyfriend Pete Davidson on social media – which led to a 24-hour Instagram suspension and having his Grammys efficiency axed.
“Kanye has undoubtedly pulled out of Coachella,” an insider advised us Monday. “He hasn’t been rehearsing or placing on a manufacturing.”
Our supply confirmed that Travis Scott, who shares two youngsters with Kylie Jenner, “was purported to be becoming a member of [West] on stage.”
“Now it could be just about inconceivable for him to get it collectively. Search for The Weeknd to switch him,” our supply shared, including, “Kanye is backing out as a result of he desires to remain out of the general public eye after all of the drama with Kim and Pete; he desires to get assist.”
Sources advised us West, who shares 4 youngsters with the SKIMS mogul, promised to not make “any public appearances or inflammatory social media statements” whereas he’s “away” getting “higher.” Kardashian and West have been declared legally single in March amid their ongoing divorce.
A rep for the Grammy winner advised Web page Six on the time, “Ye is dedicated to a wholesome co-parenting relationship with Kim and is targeted on elevating their lovely youngsters.”
