The highly anticipated Soulshine at Sea 3 music cruise, set to embark from Miami, Florida, to Cozumel, Mexico, between November 4-8, 2025, has been officially canceled. The decision by promoter Sixthman came swiftly after a cascade of artists, including Dispatch, Maggie Rose, Hirie, and Liz Vice, withdrew from the sold-out lineup. This dramatic development follows public allegations of sexual abuse and grooming made against an unnamed, powerful figure in the music industry, with widespread online speculation pointing towards the cruise’s headliner, Michael Franti. The cancellation sends ripples through the event industry and sparks renewed conversations about accountability in entertainment.
Allegations Surface and Spark Withdrawals
The controversy ignited earlier this month when singer-songwriter Victoria Canal posted a lengthy statement on Instagram on August 11, detailing a year-long abusive relationship she allegedly endured when she was 19. Without explicitly naming the individual, Canal described being groomed, manipulated, and isolated by a “very powerful, decades older” man in the music industry. She claimed she was touched and photographed without consent and was led to believe that speaking out would jeopardize her nascent career.
Though Canal refrained from identifying her alleged abuser, online users quickly connected her account to Michael Franti, noting her past credits to him for discovering her on Instagram in 2018 and inviting her on tour. The swift rise of public discussion and mounting scrutiny prompted several artists scheduled for Soulshine at Sea 3 to pull their participation. Dispatch, a prominent act on the bill, announced their withdrawal, stating, “We have been made aware of deeply concerning public allegations involving another artist on the lineup and have chosen to withdraw from the event.”
Maggie Rose echoed this sentiment, sharing on Instagram Stories her decision to no longer perform at Soulshine at Sea and expressing a desire to “stand in solidarity” with the alleged victim. Other artists, including Hirie, Liz Vice, ALO, and Tank and the Bangas, similarly cited the allegations as their reason for exiting the cruise. This collective exodus of performers rendered the continuation of the event untenable.
Sixthman’s Swift Action and Future Plans
In response to the artist withdrawals and the swirling controversy, festival promoter Sixthman announced the cancellation of Soulshine at Sea 3 on Sunday, August 17. In a statement posted on the official Soulshine at Sea website, Sixthman acknowledged “recent events” as the cause for the cancellation. The company, a long-standing leader in music cruise production for two decades, immediately assured booked guests that they would be offered options regarding their reservations, including a full refund or future Sixthman credit.
Crucially, Sixthman also confirmed their commitment to hosting a replacement event for the same November 4-8, 2025, dates. The promoter stated they were “actively working to announce a new event” and promised that additional details would be shared on Monday, August 18. This quick turnaround highlights Sixthman’s efforts to mitigate the fallout for ticket holders and maintain their reputation in the themed cruise market.
Michael Franti Addresses the Allegations
Amid the intensifying scrutiny and the cancellation of his headlining cruise, Michael Franti issued a public statement on Sunday, August 17. In his statement, the frontman of Michael Franti & Spearhead acknowledged a “romantic relationship” with an unnamed artist outside of his marriage, which occurred approximately seven years prior when she was touring with him.
Franti maintained that the relationship was “completely consensual, based on mutual feelings and attraction,” and stated, “I vehemently dispute any version of the story that says otherwise.” However, he took “full accountability for not better recognizing the power imbalance,” acknowledging that “as she was younger than me, and I was the headliner on tour,” he “never should have allowed the relationship to become romantic.” He further expressed deep regret and apologized to his wife, Sara, and his family for the pain and broken trust his actions caused. His wife reportedly discovered the relationship, leading to its termination.
Victoria Canal, in turn, reposted supportive messages from fellow musicians on her Instagram stories, expressing gratitude to those who stood with her following her initial post.
Broader Industry Implications and Future Outlook
The cancellation of Soulshine at Sea 3 and the surrounding news has ignited a significant debate within the music industry regarding accountability, power dynamics, and the responsibility of influential figures. Michael Franti, known for his positive and socially conscious music, faces a critical moment in his career as fans and critics grapple with the allegations and his response.
The incident underscores the increasing power of public allegations in the digital age and the immediate consequences they can have on major events and artists. While Sixthman moves quickly to organize a replacement event, the broader implications for trust and transparency within the festival and cruise industries remain a key point of discussion. The unfolding situation highlights a continued reckoning within entertainment, where past behaviors are increasingly brought to light, demanding a reevaluation of established norms and power structures. The success of Sixthman’s replacement event and the trajectory of Michael Franti’s career will be closely watched as the industry navigates these challenging waters.
