On the heels of speculation and rumors, Beyoncé has officially backed out of Coachella.
She made the announcement via a joint statement through Parkwood Entertainment and festival producer Goldenvoice.
“Following the advice of her doctors to keep a less rigorous schedule in the coming months, Beyoncé has made the decision to forgo performing at the 2017 Coachella Valley Music & Arts Festival.”
However, she did give the BeyHive something to look forward to next year. “Goldenvoice and Parkwood are pleased to confirm that she will be a headliner at the 2018 festival,” they added. “Thank you for your understanding.”
Earlier this month, Bey announced that she and her husband Jay Z are expecting twins. “We would like to share our love and happiness. We have been blessed two times over,” they said. “We are incredibly grateful that our family will be growing by two, and we thank you for your well wishes.”
Almost immediately, some ticket holders wondered how this would impact Coachella, but sources insisted that Queen Bey had no intentions of canceling the back-to-back weekend sets. Insiders even revealed that she had two guests slated to appear beside her at the shows.
Making her first post-announcement appearance on stage at the Grammys, Beyoncé delivered a golden performance that celebrated motherhood. Prior to the set, there were reports that she would have to slow her usually athletic set due to her pregnancy and much of the performance was done while sitting or standing still, backed by dazzling visual displays.
Now, the question over who will replace Beyoncé surrounds Coachella. So far, the festival boasts a lineup that includes Friday headliner Radiohead (on April 14 and 21) and Sunday’s headliner Kendrick Lamar (on April 16 and 23). No word yet on who might take the “Irreplaceable” singer’s Saturday slot (on April 15 and 22).