University of Western Ontario says that the cancellation is one of the 'efforts to educate students that [the school] has zero tolerance for sexual assault.'
- Sep 2, 2013
AceShowbiz - University of Western Ontario in Canada has canceled Sean Kingston's upcoming appearance for the school's Orientation Week concert on September 7. TMZ reported that the cancellation was made after the school learned that the R&B star was facing a lawsuit over his alleged involvement in a 2010 sexual assault.
The decision to cancel Kingston's appearance was made jointly by Western and the University Students' Council. According to a university release, both university and the USC "felt that while the case is before the courts, proceeding with the concert would undermine the university and the USC's efforts to educate students that Western has zero tolerance for sexual assault."
Susan Grindrod, associate vice-president with Housing and Ancillary Services, has spoken out about Kingston's axed appearance. "It is essential that all of our students, but in particular our incoming students and orientation volunteers, feel safe and valued at Western. This includes those who may be survivors of sexual assault," she said.
USC President Pat Whelan agreed with Grindrod, saying, "Having Mr. Kingston perform could cloud the values surrounding O-Week."
A 22-year-old woman named Carissa Capeloto recently filed a lawsuit against the "Beautiful Girls" singer, TMZ broke the news. The woman claimed that Kingston and several members of his team forced her to have sex with them in Kingston's hotel room back in 2010.
Kingston admitted to having sex with the woman, but he insisted that the affair was consensual. He has paid the woman $5 million to settle the case. However, it's worth noted that the settlement is not an admission of guilt.
Sources close to Kingston said the singer decided for settlement because of his hectic schedule, which included upcoming tour and new album release.
