Gracie Abrams sprang to Dora Jar’s defense as fans started a petition to remove the latter as the opening act of her upcoming The Secret of Us tour.
On Jan. 24, 2025, it was announced that Dora Jar would serve as the opening act for Gracie Abrams during the 19 shows in the European leg of the tour, which kicks off in Madrid, Spain, on Feb. 8, 2025, as noted by Billboard, shortly after, a Change.org petition was started under the name of Dexter Morgan demanding the musician’s removal and replacement as the tour’s opener.
“Many fans, including myself, are baffled by the recent announcement … We are perplexed as we do not recognize her, and with less than two weeks till the tour, it’s virtually impossible to familiarize ourselves with her slow-paced songs,” the since-deleted petition reportedly read.
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“For a memorable concert experience, an opening act should set the mood and get the crowd excited, but Dora’s slow tempo songs may not achieve this goal,” the petition continued, demanding “a more well-known, energetic artist or band” should be tapped to replace Jar. (Which, as an aside… clearly some of these fans have not listened to the vast majority of Abrams’ catalog prior to The Secret of Us. She loves a heart-wrenching slow ballad.)
Jar, who has previously served as a tour opener for Billie Eilish and The 1975, reacted to the petition on her socials. “Hate comes with the job, the truth is this is the biggest outpouring of love I’ve ever received from a fanbase who is still unfamiliar with me. Gracie has beautiful open hearted fans and I am so excited for this,” she wrote on X. She later quipped, writing: “Signed the petition but rehearsing these songs just in case I remain the opener!”
