Dua Lipa Shut Down Big Budget Music Video With 'Explosions' Due To Israel-Hamas War

Dua Lipa's upcoming third studio album hit an unexpected hiccup over an “insensitive” music video.

The sensational songstress has been actively teasing her upcoming project, but a music video for one of her new songs featured chaotic themes. Fortunately, the project was pulled following a series of emergency meetings that deemed its violent content offensive amid the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict.

Lipa secretly filmed the music video for a song on her highly-anticipated album, an expensive project that featured various violent themes. Per reports, the scrapped clip reportedly contained explosions, crowds fighting, and chaos.

Additionally, the music video featured hundreds of extras and would have been released alongside the “One Kiss” hitmaker's studio album in 2024. Despite its chaotic themes, an insider claimed Lipa's team did not draw inspiration from the Israel-Hamas war. In their words:

“A video was shot for Dua Lipa’s forthcoming campaign last September. At its heart, the video was playful but contained themes of chaos — including car crashes, demolition, explosions, fireworks, and crowds fighting.”

Although the video was shot before the Gaza conflict began, it was ultimately discarded because of the ongoing dispute. The source, per The Sun, noted the decision came after a series of emergency meetings held among the singer's team, saying:

“Dua and her team decided that it would be insensitive for the video to come out given what has happened on and since October 7.”

On the highlighted date, the terrorist group Hamas launched an attack on Israel that reportedly killed around 1,200 people. This assault resulted in the heartbreaking conflict in Gaza, a situation Lipa addressed with a statement on her Instagram page.

“With each passing day, my heart aches for the people of Israel and ­Palestine. Grief for the lives lost in the horrifying attacks in Israel,” she lamented. “Grief as I witness the unprecedented suffering in Gaza, where 2.2 million souls, half of them ­children, endure unimaginable hardships.”

“For now, I desperately hope for a ceasefire in Gaza and urge governments to halt the unfolding crisis. Our hope lies in finding the empathy to recognize this dire humanitarian situation. Sending love to Palestinian and Jewish communities worldwide, who bear this burden more heavily than most,” Lipa concluded her poignant post.

The 28-year-old proved her empathic nature by deciding to scrap her violent music video for an unannounced song. Fortunately, there is plenty more in store for fans in her upcoming third studio album.

The “Levitating” singer first teased fans about her upcoming project in early 2022, making it a follow-up to her famous second album, ”Future Nostalgia,” and her self-titled 2017 debut album. She began promoting her third studio album in November 2023, announcing three “surprise launch” events.

The promotional events were held in London, Los Angeles, and Tokyo to celebrate the release of the album's lead single, “Houdini.” Additionally, the singer got fans excited by sharing what appeared to be pictures for her upcoming album's cover art.

She shared more details about her third album in an interview, revealing the project “has a vision. It has a name—for now.” As for what fans should expect from her new songs, Lipa stressed that the album will be “more personal” than her previous projects.

“I’ve definitely grown up. Overall, whether it’s sonically or in terms of the themes, I’ve matured. It’s like I’m coming into my power and not afraid to talk about things. It’s about understanding what I want.”

She also noted that her album was inspired by “1970s-era psychedelia,” which differed from her typical synth-pop sounds. “The album is different—it’s still pop, but it’s different sonically, and there’s more of a lyrical theme,” she explained, insisting it wouldn't “alienate” fans.

It is unclear if Lipa will feature other artists on her third studio album. However, she reportedly worked in the studio with Kevin Parker of psych band Tame Impala and PC Music alum Danny L. Harle. She has also been linked to the Producer Koz and songwriter Sarah Hudson.