Demi Lovato to Headline Global Citizen Festival as Selena Gomez Takes a Break

Demi Lovato - Lead
Photo: Allen Berezovsky/Getty

Demi Lovato is set to helm the Global Citizen Festival alongside the previously disclosed list of headliners, the founder and CEO of the charitable organization has announced. The "Confident" songstress will replace formerly reported headliner Selena Gomez, who is taking a hiatus from performing due to health complications from lupus.

"Demi has been an incredible ambassador for global health and gender equality campaigns for many years," CEO Hugh Evans said of star's the addition for the Sept. 24 show in N.Y.C. "We are so thrilled to align her artistry and advocacy and have her join us as a headliner at the 2016 Global Citizen Festival in Central Park."

The annual charity festival, which takes place in New York's Central Park, is celebrating its fifth year pushing global leaders towards making changes in food and huge, sanitation, health, women's equality, and more.

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The 24-year-old says she is thrilled to be joining the star-studded lineup. "The Global Citizen Festival combines music and activism in a way that inspires and affects millions around the world," she said in a statement. "I am proud to support this amazing organization's ongoing efforts to improve global healthcare and to end extreme poverty."

Previously announced headliners include music powerhouses Rihanna, Major Lazer, Kendrick Lamar, and Metallica. Learn more at globalcitizen.org.

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