SZA Denies Rumor She Was Hired as Coachella Backup for Justin Bieber SZA has publicly dismissed rumors that she was hired as a backup performer for Justin Bieber during his Coachella 2026 set, clarifying that she was not paid to stand by in case the singer canceled at the last minute. The "Good Days" artist responded to an Instagram post by the account Blind Items, which claimed she was allegedly paid six figures to "stay Coachella-ready" in case Bieber dropped out of his performance. SZA sarcastically addressed the speculation, writing, "Lmao who made this up? I've seen this 4 times now. I'm in New York, no one paid me a dime." She emphasized that the rumors were baseless and reiterated her current location in New York, where she has no plans to participate in any Coachella-related activities. The rumor gained traction amid heightened anticipation for Bieber’s Coachella performances, which are scheduled for April 11 and April 18, 2026. Bieber, who is headlining the festival alongside Sabrina Carpenter and Karol G, has expressed mixed feelings about the event, calling it a "safe space" for him despite his anxiety about touring. Fans speculated that SZA might make a surprise appearance during Bieber’s set, given their past collaborations, including an acoustic version of her song "Snooze." However, SZA confirmed that she has no intention of joining him on stage, further distancing herself from the false narrative. The incident highlights the intense scrutiny and speculation that often accompany high-profile music festivals, particularly when major artists are involved. Having a backup performer on standby is a common contingency plan for large-scale events, but the idea of such a role being tied to a high-profile artist like Bieber sparked widespread discussion.#justin_bieber #sza #coachella_2026 #blind_items #snooze
SZA on Justin Bieber Coachella Performance SZA has dismissed rumors that she was hired to serve as a backup performer for Justin Bieber at Coachella 2026, clarifying that she has no connection to the speculation. The “Good Days” singer took to Instagram on April 10 to address the claim, which suggested she was paid to prepare for a potential no-show by Bieber during his headlining sets on April 11 and April 18. In a lighthearted tone, SZA responded to the rumor by asking, “Lmao who made this up?” She emphasized that she has seen the claim multiple times and reiterated that she is in New York, not at the festival, and has not received any payment for the alleged role. The rumor originated from a joint post by Blind Items and Music Life, which featured a photo of SZA with the headline, “SZA ALLEGEDLY PAID SIX FIGURES TO STAY COACHELLA-READY IN CASE JUSTIN BIEBER DROPOFF.” Despite the sensationalized claim, SZA’s response underscored her lack of involvement in the matter. She also wished fans the best, signaling her disinterest in engaging further with the speculation. Justin Bieber, who is set to headline Coachella alongside Sabrina Carpenter and Karol G, has not publicly confirmed any surprise appearances for his performance. However, he previously shared details about his setlist during a Twitch livestream in October 2025. Bieber mentioned that he plans to perform songs from both of his recent projects, including unreleased tracks, and noted that he has not performed these songs live before. He expressed excitement about the opportunity to debut the material but also acknowledged some anxiety about touring. Bieber described Coachella as a “safe space” for him, stating that it “soothes the soul.#justin_bieber #sza #coachella_2026 #blind_items #music_life
