Disney’s ‘Lilith Fair’ Doc Premiere’s Red Carpet Canceled Amid Jimmy Kimmel Suspension Controversy

ABC News Studios has unexpectedly called off the red carpet event for the Los Angeles premiere of its documentary "Lilith Fair: Building a Mystery – The Untold Story," originally scheduled for Sunday. In a notice sent to media late Saturday, the studio provided no reason for the cancellation, only confirming the red carpet would not proceed and apologizing for any disruption. The decision arrives amid a period of heightened sensitivity for Disney-owned media properties.

Although the red carpet has been scrapped, the premiere will still take place at the historic Ford Theatre in Hollywood, featuring a screening and unannounced musical acts. Artists such as Sarah McLachlan, Jewel, and Mýa, along with director Ally Pankiw, are still expected to attend. This move follows Disney’s recent indefinite suspension of "Jimmy Kimmel Live!" after the host made controversial remarks about former President Trump and the death of commentator Charlie Kirk. The suspension has already led major broadcast partners, including Nexstar and Sinclair, to pull the show from their lineups.

Disney’s suspension has provoked strong reactions from both inside and outside the entertainment industry. Marvel actor Mark Ruffalo inaccurately stated on Threads that Disney’s stock dropped 7%—the actual decline was closer to 1% over two days—and cautioned that permanent cancellation could bring further financial fallout. Actress Kathryn Hahn voiced support on Instagram using #freespeech, while former Disney CEO Michael Eisner criticized current leadership on social media, accusing the company of bowing to political pressure and undermining creative freedom.

In a display of unity, fellow late-night hosts Jon Stewart, Seth Meyers, and Jimmy Fallon have all spoken out in Kimmel’s defense. Meanwhile, former President Trump praised FCC Chairman Brendan Carr, implying that networks like ABC could face license revocation over alleged biased coverage. Trump asserted that 97% of news about him is negative and referred to Carr as “a patriot” who may pursue regulatory measures.

Against this backdrop, "Lilith Fair: Building a Mystery" debuted on Hulu and Disney+ on Sunday. The documentary—a collaboration between Dan Levy’s Not A Real Production Company, Elevation Pictures, White Horse Pictures, and Epic Magazine—delves into the cultural significance of the landmark 1990s festival. As Variety critic Chris Willman noted, the film provides “an absorbing look back at why the Sarah McLachlan-led, female-fronted festivals felt revolutionary.” An ABC News Studios representative declined to comment on either the red carpet cancellation or its possible ties to the broader corporate and political climate.