Melanie C cancels Poland concert over ‘issues brought to my attention’

The former Spice Girl Melanie C says she has cancelled a performance in Poland on New Year’s Eve after being made aware of issues “that do not align with the communities I support”.

She did not elaborate but was praised by allies of the LGBTQ+ community.

The singer, whose real name is Melanie Chisholm, was reportedly due to perform in a televised concert for the Polish state broadcaster Telewizja Polska (TVP).

She tweeted on Monday night: “In light of some issues that have been brought to my attention, that do not align with the communities I support, I’m afraid I will no longer be able to perform in Poland as planned on New Year’s Eve.

“I hope to be back there very soon. Hope you’re all having a wonderful Christmas and best wishes for 2023. Melanie xxx.”

Replying to her statement, Twitter users described her as a “hero” and an “ally”.

Although homosexuality has been legal in Poland since 1932, same-sex marriage and civil unions are not recognised, adoption for same-sex couples is illegal, and surgery is required in order to legally change gender status.

Poland ranks bottom among EU countries in a league table for LGBTQ+ rights compiled by the European region of the International Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans and Intersex Association.

Chisholm is known as a strong ally of the LGBTQ+ community. She won celebrity ally of the year at the British LGBT awards last year.

In a statement reported by Polish media, TVP claimed Chisholm had resigned from the show “under the pressure of online comments”.

It said: “Melanie C is one of the many stars of this year’s ‘New Year’s Eve Dreams with Dwójka’, who accepted the invitation and signed a contract with Telewizja Polska and will celebrate the new year with us, and today – under the pressure of online comments – she unexpectedly resigned from the performance.

“The company was surprised to hear about the artist’s change of plans. TVP reminds that New Year’s Eve is a concert for everyone who wants to welcome the new year with good fun.”

Samuel Pereira, a journalist at the state broadcaster, posted a video of Chisholm performing in Russia in 2018 and tweeted: “Melanie C in a country that does not ‘contradict her views’ – Russia.”