Karol G says she has repeatedly been warned against speaking out about ICE’s operations in the U.S., as doing so could put her visa at risk.
The Colombian pop star, 35, who this weekend will make Coachella history as the first Latina artist to headline the festival, said she wants to condemn the immigration agency’s actions.
However, “People will say, ‘It’s better you don’t,’” said the singer-songwriter, whose real name is Carolina Giraldo Navarro, in a new cover story for Playboy.
“Why? Because if you say the thing, maybe the next day you’ll get a call: ‘Hey, we are taking your visa away,’” she explained. “You become bait, because some people want to show their power.”
The “Si Antes Te Hubiera Conocido” artist admitted that if she were ever to say the popular anti-ICE phrase, “ICE Out,” her “team would kill” her.
“But I’m willing to say it,” she added. “If I’m being honest with you, it’s something that crosses the line of what I have to do to protect myself. But at the end of the day, what is my role if I’m in this position?”
Pondering the impact the simple two-word phrase has on her community, Karol G insisted: “I don’t want to just say ‘ICE Out’ and have nothing come from it… I’m probably going to go a little harder than that. I just want to represent my community.
“But what I’m telling you is that, as a human being, I want that to mean more. I’m not saying that I’m not going to do it; what I’m saying is that I would do it and will do it with my soul. But I want to sit down and understand, in my head: Here’s what that meant.”
Acknowledging that “I have a huge stage,” she said, “that’s why I want to wait, and if someone were ever to do something to me, I want to stand firmly on my stage for my community.
“So that’s why I may have to be more careful, and wait for my turn, and ensure that, through that opportunity, I can talk and represent something more.”
The “Verano Rosa” singer achieved widespread recognition in 2017 with her hit collaboration with Bad Bunny, “Ahora Me Llama.” She later solidified her superstar status with her 2018 hit “Secreto” and her 2019 chart-topper, “Tusa,” featuring rapper Nicki Minaj.
Karol G is scheduled to close out both Sundays of the three-day Coachella music festival, taking place April 10 to 12 and April 17 to 19 in Indio, California. Sabrina Carpenter will headline Fridays, while Justin Bieber will perform Saturdays.
