Azealia Banks has been removed as a headliner from Amsterdam's Milkshake Festival following protests from the trans community over her controversial past statements. The decision comes after festival organizers acknowledged overlooking crucial information during the booking process.

The protests stemmed from Banks' history of controversial comments about trans women. In 2021, she made derogatory remarks about trans women and their place in women's spaces. She further stirred controversy in 2023 by suggesting that healthcare funds should prioritize elderly care over gender-affirming surgeries, which she termed "cosmetic."

Paradoxically, Banks recently defended trans rights against J.K. Rowling on X/Twitter, telling the Harry Potter author that "trans women are not a threat to your femininity" and criticizing her repeated anti-trans statements.

The festival organizers addressed the situation on Instagram, stating: "We take responsibility for not fully considering the potential impact of this booking. When booking artists, we focus on the contribution their music has made to spaces that matter to us. But their public persona should not go completely unnoticed."

In their final update, the organizers confirmed: "Azealia Banks will not be performing at Milkshake Festival 2025. It is clear to us that we made a mistake and that we have overlooked essential information. We sincerely apologize for this."

The festival maintained its commitment to creating a platform for artists from marginalized communities while acknowledging their responsibility to consider artists' public statements and their potential impact on the festival's inclusive environment.

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