The Black Eyed Peas will no longer be performing their inaugural Las Vegas residency.
The group took to Instagram Stories on Sunday, January 19, to share a statement about their decision to cancel the event.
“To our dearest Peabodies,” their message read. “It is with a heavy heart that, in light of current circumstances, our Las Vegas shows will not be moving forward as planned.”
The statement continued: “Ticket providers will issue full refunds automatically. Stay tuned for updates on future performances by following us — we can’t wait to see you again.”
The Black Eyed Peas didn’t provide more details on the cancellation. They originally announced the Black Eyed Peas: 3008 The Las Vegas Residency in September 2024, with shows scheduled to take place at PH Live at Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino.
“Our first residency in Las Vegas gives Black Eyed Peas the opportunity to do what we do best, to dream up something brand new and creative that pushes the boundaries of the live show experience,” Will.i.am said in a statement about the residency that was slated across 15 dates in February, March and May.
The planned event featured Will.i.am, 45, and bandmates Apple de Ap, Taboo and J. Rey Soul. Fergie, who was part of the group from 2002 to 2018, was not scheduled to make an appearance. The residency would have also introduced an artificial intelligence presence named Vida as the newest member of the band.
“We predicted this in 2009 with ‘The E.N.D.’ album and the avatar personality in the video and the character on our album cover,” Will.i.am. told USA TODAY in September 2024. “When I was running around the projects as a kid in L.A. and Apple was running around in the Philippines, to think that we would have the first AI member of a globally recognized urban pop-hip-hop group … man.”
Will.i.am. clarified that “Vida” isn’t a “hologram,” adding, “With a hologram, you have to experience it with a hologram projector, so you could only do that when the show is in Vegas.”
He concluded: “When we have an AI member of the Black Eyed Peas, you can engage and communicate 24/7 … our member of the group will be patched into every band member, stage hands and the audience, if they want to engage with her.”
