A Few More Things: Solange, Stevie Wonder, Freddie Mercury, Beyoncé & More

Fans won’t be seeing Solange grace the stages of Europe’s finest festivals this summer. With an itinerary that included stops at Norway’s Oya Festival in Oslo; Flow Festival in Helsinki, Finland and Belgium’s Pukkelpop, Beyoncé’s younger sister has decided that her health and her family come first, according to a statement she issued that was posted on Pukkelpop’s website.

“I am completely devastated to announce that I will be canceling my international festival dates for the Summer.  I wish I could put in words how much of a difficult decision this was…but between moving part time to a new city, starting my son in a new school, and writing/ recording my new record…I really had to make the best decision for my mental/physical health and provide some stability for my family.  I am so so sooooo sorry if I’ve disappointed….. and really hope to make it out to those special cities soon enough!”

One night after a Florida jury acquitted George Zimmerman of all charges stemming from shooting and killing Trayvon Martin, Stevie Wonder told a Quebec City audience that he would not play any state that has a “Stand Your Ground” law on the books.  Now other celebrities are reportedly supporting Wonder’s protest but the number of famous names just might be shrinking.

Citing sources close to Wonder, American Urban Radio Networks reported Monday that 23 artists including Jay Z, Madonna, Usher, Rod Stewart, Rihanna, R. Kelly, Erykah Badu, Alicia Keys and The Rolling Stones would join in supporting Wonder’s position against Stand Your Ground and the states carrying such laws on the books.

Now there are signs that the list might not be as firmly rooted in solidarity as first believed.  MSNBC notes that Jay Z is still scheduled to appear with Justin Timberlake in Miami Gardens next month, there’s been no word from the Stones publicity machine, and Rihanna “is likely not boycotting either.”  MSNBC also reports that reps for Usher and Madonna have not confirmed any intentions of joining Wonder’s boycott.

Even though no one’s support was confirmed, that didn’t stop one Florida politician from complaining about artists allegedly speaking out politically. U.S. Rep. Mario Diaz-Balart – had some words to say about Jay Z, according to the cable news channel.

“Look, thank God we live in a free country, and people can opt to be silly and foolish, but that’s a contrast – they go to Cuba, and that’s OK,” Diaz-Balart said in a reference to Jay Z and Beyoncé’s trip to the communist island nation in April.  Diaz-Balart made his comments while appearing on the nationally syndicated Laura Ingraham radio program.

“They hobnob with the regime; that’s okay.  But they won’t go to Florida, where we’re free. That’s their choice, but I think their priorities are a little bit off.”

Meanwhile, American Urban Radio Networks has updated its report, saying some artist representatives are now saying their clients are “uncomfortable being identified on that list and are seeking additional information.”

The Freddie Mercury biopic needs a new actor, specifically someone to play Freddie Mercury. Deadline Hollywood reports that the man picked to portray the fabulous Queen frontman, comedic actor Sacha Baron Cohen, is off the project.

According to Deadline, Cohen left the film because he pictured the film as an R-rated tell-all while the Queen camp was hoping for a PG rating.

You can forget about seeing Youth Lagoon performing anywhere this week.  The artist whose real name is Trevor Powers has nixed an appearance at Sweden’s Emmaboda Festivalen as well as gigs in Oslo, Norway; Brighton, England; a Secret Garden Party in Huntingdon, England, and next Monday’s Webster Hall concert in New York City. 

Posting a message on his Facebook page, Youth Lagoon said, “A Great man who was very close to me has recently departed this world and I need to be home with family and friends to celebrate his life on earth together.”

Beyoncé evidently had a problem with a fan while performing at Montreal’s Bell Centre last night – an honest to god, blade spinning fan.

While singing “Halo,” Beyoncé’s hair was “sucked into a stage fan,” according to The Daily Beast, which reports that her crew “quickly came to her rescue” and used scissors to separate her from the device.

Beyoncé later messaged fans, saying, “Gravity cant begiiiiiiiin to pull me out of the fan again. I felt my hair was yankiiiiiiiin from the fan that’s always hatiiiiiiiin … I got snatched.”