Sarah McLachlan joins Jimmy Kimmel's comeback show amid Disney suspension fallout

Sarah McLachlan appeared at the El Capitan Theatre on Tuesday to tape an appearance on Jimmy Kimmel Live!, marking the late-night host’s return to air after a nearly week-long suspension that followed jokes about conservative activist Charlie Kirk’s death. The controversy drew scrutiny from politicians and sparked a wave of complaints to the FCC as well as pushback from figures inside and outside the entertainment industry. After days of pressure and protests over what some labeled a threat to free speech, Disney said the hiatus would be reversed and that Kimmel would resume his show.

The suspension sent shockwaves through several TV markets. Nexstar and Sinclair, two of the country’s largest local-television owners, announced they would not carry Jimmy Kimmel Live! in the wake of the dispute. In a show of solidarity with the host, the ACLU joined a chorus of voices—among them Robert De Niro, Jane Fonda, Ben Affleck, Jamie Lee Curtis, Tom Hanks and Meryl Streep—signing an open letter in support of free expression and opposition to government pressure on artists and media.

McLachlan’s appearance comes on the heels of news that she abruptly canceled a planned performance at the Los Angeles premiere of Disney’s Lilith Fair: Building a Mystery documentary. At The Ford Theatre on Sunday night, she told the audience that she and fellow Lilith Fair co-founders had decided not to perform, saying they wanted to stand in solidarity for free speech. The moment was widely interpreted as a direct statement amid ongoing debates about artistic expression, censorship and the role of corporations in public discourse. McLachlan acknowledged the tension surrounding the event and urged attendees to see the film as a vehicle for dialogue while emphasizing the importance of maintaining space for artistic voices.

“If Lilith taught me anything, it taught me there is a great strength in coming together to lift each other up instead of tearing each other down,” she said. “So I really hope this documentary inspires everyone to continue to try and create positive change in your communities... keep championing the causes you believe in with kindness and empathy because ultimately we’re all in this together.”

The festival setting had been billed as a celebration of Lilith Fair’s legacy, but the controversy surrounding Kimmel’s suspension and Disney’s involvement overshadowed the premiere. A source told The Hollywood Reporter that McLachlan and fellow Lilith Fair co-founder Jewel had been slated for a surprise live performance after the screening; with Kimmel’s absence still a topic of conversation in the industry, the pair chose not to sing. “We have collectively decided not to perform,” McLachlan announced at the event, signaling the broader protest without directly naming Disney.

Kimmel’s return to the air was confirmed for Tuesday, with observers noting the relief felt among fans and a broad desire to resume conversations about free expression that had been interrupted by the pause. In the weeks leading up to the suspension, the host’s remarks about Kirk’s death had ignited a backlash that extended beyond late-night talk shows, drawing public letters of solidarity and sparking renewed debates about accountability, policy and the boundaries of political satire.

The company at the center of the dispute—Disney—announced the rollback of the indefinite hiatus after backlash intensified and advertisers, industry figures and public voices urged a reversal. The episode’s timing underscored a broader moment of reckoning in Hollywood, where questions about who gets to laugh, what counts as protected speech, and how corporate influence shapes artistic expression remain at the forefront of headlines.

In remarks following the incident, supporters of Kimmel and free speech emphasized that the conflict extended beyond a single host or show, touching on fundamental rights guaranteed by the Constitution. The ongoing conversation showed no sign of abating, with artists, executives and advocacy groups continuing to weigh the relationships between media platforms, advertisers, audiences and public accountability.

As Tuesday’s episode aired, McLachlan’s appearance was framed not only as a guest slot but as a symbol of resilience within a community that has long used music and performance to advocate for open dialogue. Her decision to speak, rather than perform, at the Lilith Fair premiere earlier in the week highlighted a broader pattern among artists who see their work as a forum for social and political conversation.

The weekend’s events underscored a hard truth for Hollywood: even as audiences crave entertainment, the industry remains deeply intertwined with discussions about freedom of expression, corporate responsibility, and the right of artists to speak their minds without fear of punitive retaliation. While Kimmel returns to the air and Disney reopens dialogue with its partners and audiences, the conversations surrounding free speech—and the role of entertainment in shaping public discourse—are unlikely to fade anytime soon.