Soprano Marla Kavanaugh has canceled her upcoming concert in Palmerston North, citing safety concerns and fears for her life following intense backlash over her recent performance of the New Zealand national anthem.
Kavanaugh, whose rendition of “God Defend New Zealand” at the All Blacks vs. Fiji match in San Diego last month was widely criticized, has been the subject of increasing vitriol since the event. Her stepfather, Malcolm Hopwood, and mother, Kathi Craig, issued a statement revealing their daughter’s distress and the severe impact of the negative reactions.
The statement, shared with the NZ Herald, details that Kavanaugh is “devastated” and feels “so vulnerable she can’t return to New Zealand.” The family expressed their dismay over the extent of the backlash, which they believe has transcended mere criticism of her performance and ventured into “vitriol, hate, and accusation.” They also voiced concerns that this reaction might prevent Kavanaugh from returning home in the future.
Kavanaugh, who is based in the US, was scheduled to perform in Palmerston North on August 3. Her parents lamented the harsh treatment she has received, emphasizing that it goes beyond typical opinions on her vocal performance. “We fear we’ll never see our daughter here again,” said Craig. Kavanaugh, known for her frequent visits to New Zealand for concerts and charity work alongside her twin sister Marissa, has been a prominent figure in the classical music scene.
Support for Kavanaugh has come from various quarters, including TrueBliss star Megan Alatini, who spoke out against the harsh criticism Kavanaugh faced. Alatini condemned the behavior, stating, “I think it is so disgusting that people would choose to take time out of their day to pull somebody down so badly.”
Kavanaugh has an impressive international resume, having performed at prestigious venues such as New York’s Carnegie Hall, in Russia and Europe, and featured in the Edinburgh Tattoo in 2022. Despite this, the backlash has had a profound impact on her, as noted by former anthem singer and Newstalk ZB host Tim Beveridge, who acknowledged the challenges of performing live without accompaniment.
As Kavanaugh steps back from her planned performance, Hopwood hopes that a recording of the anthem will be played at the All Blacks’ upcoming match against Argentina in Wellington. The identity of the anthem performer for the Sky Stadium event on Saturday night has yet to be confirmed publicly.
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