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
