Dua Lipa steps out with her father in New York amid agent split tied to Kneecap Glastonbury controversy
The pop star, 30, wears a black high-neck midi dress and carries a designer bag during a lunch with her father as reports tie her to a split with her longtime agent over a pro-Palestinian rappers dispute at Glastonbury.
Dua Lipa was photographed dining with her father, Dukagjin Lipa, in New York City on Sunday, a day after reports surfaced that she had ended her relationship with her longtime agent amid a dispute over a plan to bar pro-Palestinian Belfast rap group Kneecap from Glastonbury. The tension centers on a letter circulated by industry figures urging festival organizers to drop Kneecap for alleged anti-Semitic associations, a move Lipa’s team reportedly did not back. The reports describe a rift that has extended beyond the agency relationship and into public support for the band’s stance at the time.
Lipa cut a stylish figure for the city outing in a high-neck black midi dress with a structured corset bodice. She accessorized with a cheetah-print designer handbag and classic black sunglasses, and she finished the look with peep-toe Christian Louboutin heels. The pop star flashed a diamond engagement ring from fiancé Callum Turner, the actor who proposed last Christmas. The ring has been described in reports as valued at roughly £62,000 to £93,000. Her father, Dukagjin Lipa, 56, who also serves as her manager, joined her for the lunch, dressed in a plain black jumper and striped trousers as he chatted on his phone.
The encounter comes amid broader reporting about a split with her long-time representative David Levy, who was described by a music industry source as the first signatory on a private letter urging Glastonbury founder Michael Eavis and his daughter Emily to drop Kneecap from the festival lineup. The letter, which leaked to the media, has been described as advocating a stance against the Belfast duo amid allegations related to support for Hezbollah. Levy and the letter’s signatories reportedly justified their position by contending Kneecap’s presence would fuel anti-Semitism concerns at the event. According to the reports, Lipa’s camp then moved to sever ties with Levy, while maintaining representation through William Morris Endeavor with a different agent.
Kneecap did perform at Glastonbury despite the controversy, and police did not pursue further action after receiving complaints regarding the performance. In the public sphere, Lipa has long been outspoken in her support for Palestine. In May of the previous year, she posted messages condemning what she called the Israeli genocide in Gaza and joined other artists in protests against UK complicity in Gaza. She also expressed condolences for Israeli lives lost on October 7 and has remained active in related advocacy.
The dispute has continued to unfold in the media and within the industry, drawing attention to how artists navigate political expressions and professional relationships in a highly scrutinized environment. Levy’s stance and the decision by Lipa’s team to shift representation have been noted as part of a broader conversation about personal conscience, public perception, and business interests in contemporary culture and entertainment.
Dua Lipa’s spokespersons have not provided additional comment on the matter. The singer’s public appearances, including Sunday’s NYC lunch, underscore a continuing interplay between her artistry, her personal life, and the complex dynamics of the music industry in a time of heightened debate over Israel-Palestine tensions and related concerns.