Frazer Harrison/Getty Images for GLAAD
It wasn’t an easy decision for Nick Jonas to boycott North Carolina.
“It’s a tough thing and what makes it more tough is I have family in North Carolina and friends there,” Jonas told me tonight at the Propel pop-up fitness studio in Venice. “On top of the disappointment I’m sure some fans felt, I’ve got personal disappointment.”
Jonas and Demi Lovato announced earlier this week that they decided to cancel their two July concert tour stops in North Carolina to show support for the fight against the state’s new HB2 law (known as the “bathroom law”) that blocks local governments from enacting anti-discrimination legislature meant to protect the LGBT community, including the right to use bathrooms for the gender they use to identify.
“Demi and I felt strongly that we had to take a firm stand and make a bold statement and it felt like the best option was to cancel the shows,” the Scream Queens actor said. “We’re grateful for the fans that have supported [our decision] and understand it. Hopefully, we’ll see things change. It’s a tough situation for everybody.”
Bruce Springsteen, Pearl Jam and Boston also recently canceled their concerts in the Tar Heel State. Billy Ray Cyrus, Ellen DeGeneres and Laverne Cox have spoken out against HB2. Joel McHale announced he will donate proceeds from his Durham show to local LGBT centers.
Jonas and Lovato’s Future Now tour kicks off in June in Florida.
“The creative is kind of locked in,” Jonas told me. “I’m really excited by it. I think it’s one of the most unique stage builds I’ve ever done. We have a meeting tomorrow to decide our set list. We’re going to intertwine our sets. It’s going to be a great night of music.”
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