Justin Bieber once again found himself at the centre of unexpected festival chatter after rumours began circulating online suggesting that SZA had been booked as a standby performer for Coachella 2026 in case he missed his headline sets.
SZA shuts down Coachella stand-by rumours
According to PrimeTimer, SZA has dismissed viral claims that she was paid as a backup performer for Coachella in case Justin Bieber failed to appear. The rumour, which stemmed from a social media post suggesting she received a six-figure fee to stay "Coachella-ready", was directly denied by the singer.Responding in comments, SZA clarified that she was in New York at the time and had not been paid anything, adding that she was tired of seeing the false claims and wished everyone well.
On April 10, taking to Instagram post, SZA responded in the comments that the rumours were false, saying, "I've seen this 4 times now. I'm in New York; no one paid me a dime. Wishing everyone the best."
X | @sza | Did SZA confirm or deny being paid to cover for Justin Bieber at Coachella? Justin Bieber makes a low-key return to Coachella after a four-year break
Justin Bieber made a return to the Coachella stage after a four-year break, delivering a moody and stripped-down performance on Friday. Dressed casually in shorts, a hoodie and sunglasses, he performed on a smoke-filled sloped stage, creating a more subdued atmosphere compared to earlier acts like Sabrina Carpenter.His set opened with All I Can Take, followed by tracks such as Speed Demon and First Place, highlighting a mix of lesser-known songs in a performance that stood out for its minimal, introspective tone.
He performed Go Baby, a heartfelt dedication to his wife Hailey Bieber, featuring emotional lyrics that reflected his affection and admiration for her. "That's my baby; she's iconici/ Phone case, lip gloss on it/ And, oh, my days, she keeps 'em talkin'/ It's comedy, just block it out, my baby," she wrote.
He also performed Walking Away and Petting Zoo. He performed hits Baby and Stay with The Kid LAROI, making a surprise appearance for the latter.
X | @latenightxoshow | Did SZA confirm or deny being paid to cover for Justin Bieber at Coachella? Justin Bieber blends nostalgia and surprises in Coachella set
Justin Bieber continued his set at Coachella with performances of Walking Away and Petting Zoo, alongside fan-favourite hits like Baby. He also surprised the crowd by joining The Kid LAROI for 'Stay', creating one of the night's standout moments.Addressing the audience, Bieber said he wanted to take them on "a bit of a journey", which led into a nostalgic performance of With You, where he duetted with a younger version of himself displayed on a large screen.
He is set to return for another headlining show on April 18.