Singer Dua Lipa and her talent agency, William Morris Endeavor (WME), have publicly refuted reports that she dismissed agent David Levy. The claims, initially published by the Daily Mail, suggested the termination was linked to Levy's alleged involvement in a letter opposing the band Kneecap's performance at the Glastonbury festival.
Key Takeaways
- Dua Lipa stated on social media that the story of her firing agent David Levy is "completely false."
- The singer accused the Daily Mail of using "deliberately inflammatory" language and "exploiting a global tragedy."
- Talent agency WME confirmed the report was "categorically false," clarifying Levy has not been involved in Lipa's daily business since 2019.
- Lipa reaffirmed her long-standing pro-Palestine stance while condemning the media's handling of the story.
Lipa Responds to Firing Allegations
Dua Lipa addressed the controversy directly through her Instagram stories on Tuesday. She described the report of her firing agent David Levy as factually incorrect and criticized the media outlet that published it.
"Not only was the story completely false," Lipa wrote, "but the language used by the Daily Mail was deliberately inflammatory, crafted purely for clickbait, clearly designed to fuel online division."
The singer expressed her disapproval of how the situation was framed. "It is always Free Palestine, but exploiting a global tragedy in order to sell newspapers is something I find deeply troubling," she added. While she clarified that she does not condone efforts to silence artists, she stressed that the narrative surrounding her professional relationships was inaccurate.
WME Provides Context on Agent's Role
The William Morris Endeavor (WME) talent agency also issued a statement to media outlets, including NME, to correct the record. A spokesperson for the agency firmly denied the claims made in the initial report.
"Reports suggesting that Dua Lipa or her management dismissed one of our agents because of his political views are categorically false," the WME spokesperson stated.
The agency provided a detailed timeline of Levy's work with the artist to clarify his position. According to WME, Levy's primary involvement was during the early stages of Lipa's career, from 2016 to 2019. After he relocated from London in 2019, his role shifted to an advisory capacity.
The spokesperson confirmed that Levy "has not been involved in Dua’s day-to-day business since" 2019. They added that Levy had formally removed himself from her project, among others, earlier in the current year.
The Glastonbury Letter
The controversy stems from a confidential email sent to Glastonbury festival organizers, including co-creator Michael Eavis. The letter reportedly called for the removal of the Irish band Kneecap from the festival's lineup. Kneecap is known for its outspoken pro-Palestine views. The email was later leaked by a festival employee. The campaign to remove the band was ultimately not successful, and they performed as scheduled.
Lipa's Consistent Advocacy for Palestine
The incident has drawn attention to Dua Lipa's extensive history of publicly supporting the Palestinian cause. Her advocacy on this issue has been a consistent part of her public platform for several years.
Her public statements and actions include:
- 2021: She spoke out against a full-page advertisement in The New York Times that labeled her and models Bella and Gigi Hadid as antisemitic for their pro-Palestine views.
- October 2023: Lipa was one of many celebrities who signed an open letter addressed to then-U.S. President Joe Biden, urging a ceasefire in Gaza.
- January 2024: In an interview with Rolling Stone, she reaffirmed her position on the issue.
- May 2024: She used her Instagram to support the #AllEyesOnRafah campaign, writing, "Burning children alive can never be justified. The whole world is mobilising to stop the Israeli genocide."
- June 2024: Speaking to Radio Times, she stated she was "willing" to face backlash for her comments, viewing them as being "for the greater good."
In addition to her personal statements, Lipa was also one of over 300 public figures who signed an open letter from the organization Choose Love. The letter called on UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer to end the United Kingdom's complicity in the conflict in Gaza.
Throughout the recent controversy, Lipa has maintained a clear distinction between her political beliefs and the false reports concerning her professional team, emphasizing her commitment to her long-held views while correcting the media narrative.