Roddy Ricch, J Balvin no longer performing at MTV VMAs
Grammy-winning
rapper Roddy Ricch and Colombian superstar J Balvin will no longer perform at
the MTV Video Music Awards.
Ricch announced his cancellation in a statement
posted to Instagram Live, saying: “My team and I did everything in our power to
make this work, due to COVID compliance issues at the last minute we had to
call off the performance.”
The MTV VMAs will air on Sunday at 8 p.m. ET. The
show was originally supposed to take place at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn
and will now be held outdoors at various places in New York City in response to
the coronavirus pandemic.
“My team and I are safe and everyone’s health is a
main priority, as well as giving a quality performance,” Ricch said. “I
appreciate MTV for the opportunity to perform and I hope I can see y’all next
year. STAY SAFE.”
A representative for Balvin confirmed on Monday that he would no longer perform at the event, but no details were provided. In a pre-taped video released almost two weeks ago, Balvin revealed he contracted COVID-19 and that it impacted him heavily and made his life difficult. While he accepted an award at Premios Juventud 2020, he told viewers: “This is not a joke … It’s very dangerous. Take a lot of care of yourselves.”
Representatives for MTV didn’t immediately reply to
an email seeking comment.
Others set to perform at the VMAs include Lady Gaga
with Ariana Grande, The Weeknd, BTS, Miley Cyrus, DaBaby, Black Eyed Peas,
Maluma, Doja Cat and CNCO.