At the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival, attention has largely centered on the placement and compensation of its headline acts.
Justin Bieber reportedly commanded one of the highest fees of the weekend at around $10 million. That figure alone made any talk of a withdrawal seem unlikely. However, festivals of this scale routinely prepare for last-minute contingencies. In this case, online conversation filled that uncertainty gap and turned quickly toward speculation about possible substitutes. Much of it spread before any official confirmation or scheduling change was announced.
One name that surfaced repeatedly was SZA. She was the subject of online claims suggesting she had been enlisted as an emergency replacement for Bieber at a substantial payout.
The rumor circulated widely enough to prompt a direct response from the artist herself. As reported by Buzzing Pop and Bossip, she wrote beneath a post repeating the claim: “Lmao who made this up? I’ve seen this 4 times now. I’m in New York no one paid me a dime. Wishing everyone the best [red heart emoji].” Her reply was firm but restrained, aimed more at correction than confrontation.
She also appeared to redirect focus toward her own ongoing work, as she continues to tease new music in the studio. Rather than engage the rumor further, she treated it as a distraction from current priorities.
The tone of her response suggested clarification rather than frustration. Even as her name briefly trended alongside festival coverage, there was no indication of conflict with Bieber. His performance remained the primary source of debate.
During his first set at the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival, Bieber drew mixed reactions after briefly using a MacBook onstage to play visuals from earlier chapters of his career.
Some viewers criticized the moment as uneven in execution. Others saw it as a personal archival gesture embedded in a live show. As anticipation builds for his next appearance on Saturday, attention has shifted to how he may refine or reframe that approach.
