Cardi B has officially been tapped to headline the 2025 Global Citizen Festival, stepping in to replace The Weeknd after his sudden withdrawal from the lineup.
The Weeknd’s decision to pull out, according to organizers, was due to a personal emergency, though details remain private.
The annual festival, set to take place on Saturday, September 27, in New York City’s Central Park, is a cornerstone event in the fight against global poverty, blending star-studded performances with activism-driven calls to action.
Cardi B performs at Spotify Beach concert featuring Cardi B, Lola Young and Mark Ronson at Spotify Beach during Cannes Lions 2025 on June 18, 2025 in Cannes, France.
Antony Jones/Getty Images for Spotify
“We are incredibly grateful to Cardi B, who has joined the Global Citizen Festival lineup,” wrote Global Citizen CEO and co-founder Hugh Evans in a statement.
“She’s an outstanding performer, who will light up Central Park in spectacular fashion. We wish The Weeknd support and want to thank him and his fans for all taking action with us to help end extreme poverty.”
For Cardi, the opportunity to headline holds deeper meaning than just music.
Cardi B attends the Alexander Wang show during September 2025 New York Fashion Week on September 12, 2025 in New York City.
Dominik Bindl/Getty Images)
“This one’s not like other music festivals — this one is about coming together to help children around the world, and I’m so proud to support such an important cause,” she shared in a statement. “New York City — see you Saturday. Let’s get it!!!”
Fresh off the release of her long-awaited sophomore album Am I The Drama?, which is projected to debut at No. 1 on the Billboard 200, Cardi’s appearance will be second time performing at the festival.
She previously took to the stage in her hometown back in 2018, after the release of her debut studio album Invasion of Privacy.
Cardi B attends the 4th Annual Hollywood Unlocked Impact Awards at The Beverly Hilton on June 21, 2024 in Beverly Hills, California. (Photo by Arnold Turner/Getty Images for Jason Lee/Hollywood Unlocked Impact Awards)
The festival will be hosted by actor Hugh Jackman and includes performances from Tyla, Ayra Starr, Mariah the Scientist, and others.
Beyond entertainment, the Global Citizen Festival aims to secure tangible global commitments.
Cardi B at Revolve Festival: The Eighth Annual Fashion, Music and Lifestyle Event on April 12, 2025 in Thermal, California.
River Callaway/Billboard via Getty Images
These include delivering clean, reliable energy to 1 million people in Africa, generating $200 million for Indigenous and local entrepreneurs to preserve land within the Amazon rainforest, and raising at least $30 million to fund community-based education programs that improve children’s literacy.
Tickets to the Global Citizen Festival are free and available through the Global Citizen app.
Cardi B celebrates New Year’s Eve at E11EVEN Miami on December 31, 2024 in Miami, Florida.
Jason Koerner/Getty Images for E11EVEN