Keli Holiday breaks silence over being refused re-entry into the US
Keli Holiday has opened up about why he was refused re-entry into the US earlier this month.
Australian singer Keli Holiday has opened up about being refused entry into the US midway through his tour.
The Dancing2 artist was set to perform four shows in the US and Canada between May 1 and 7. But after his shows in Toronto, Holiday was detained at the US-Canadian border and denied re-entry for his final show in New York City.
At the time, Holiday said no official reason was given as to why he was refused re-entry to the US.
In a new interview on Triple M’s Mick in the Morning, Holiday addressed the rumours that he had been denied entry to the US over “national safety concerns”.
“I was meant to go to Old Mates (an Australian bar in New York), I was going to do a surprise set there and have a bunch of fun with a bunch of people,” he explained. “I’m not at liberty to discuss such matters fully at this time … but what I will say, is that I love the United States.”
“I’m gutted I couldn’t do the New York City show, and I hope to get back there soon because there is a lot of people wanting a Keli Holliday show, but I want to bring it to them, so we’ll see.”
Also during the interview, Holiday responded to suggestions that he should follow in the footsteps of Delta Goodrem and represent Australia at Eurovision.
“I had a fever dream the other day… you would win us Eurovision,” Molloy told him. “It’s possibly of no interest to you… it’d be incredible. You go there and do that [Dancing2 dance], and they would lose their minds,” he added.
Holiday then confirmed his interest in the gig, saying: “No, I would give it a crack! We could do it.”
At the time of his entry refusal to the US, Holiday shared a statement on Instagram informing fans of the incident.
“Hello stunnas, unfortunately I’m not going to make it to tonight’s show at Baby’s All Right in NYC,” he said.
“I have spent all day detained at the Canadian border and denied entry back into the US despite having the proper visa documentation in place. I’m still trying to get clarity on the situation myself.”
Holiday said the decision had left him “gutted”. “I hate letting people down and to be honest really wanted to party with you all,” he said.
“Thank you for all the support and patience while I figured this out.”
His statement was swiftly followed by another from his girlfriend, Abbie Chatfield.
Chatfield issued an apology for a past headline-making post of hers, suggesting it may have been to blame for her partner getting the boot from the US.
Chatfield courted controversy in July last year for a video insinuating “incels” should harm US President Donald Trump.