Canadian Singer Cancels Beijing Concerts Over Fear of Flying and Train Ticket Shortage – Fans React

Canadian R&B singer Haley Smalls has canceled her Beijing concert scheduled for April 30, 2026, citing a fear of flying and an inability to secure high-speed rail tickets during the peak May Day holiday travel period. The cancellation, announced just one week before the show was set to seize place at TheDoorSpace, came as a surprise to fans who had been anticipating the opening leg of her China tour. According to the event organizer, the decision was driven by two specific concerns: Smalls’ apprehension about air travel — including reluctance to fly with carriers such as China Eastern Airlines — and the overwhelming difficulty of obtaining high-speed rail tickets during one of China’s busiest travel seasons. In a statement released on April 22, the organizer explained that the unique challenges of booking rail passage during the holiday rush, combined with the artist’s personal discomfort with flying, made it impossible to proceed with the performance as planned. Full refunds have been promised to ticket holders, and an apology was issued to fans disappointed by the abrupt change. Smalls’ China tour was originally slated to include Beijing on April 30, followed by shows in Shanghai on May 1, Shenzhen on May 3, and Guangzhou on May 4 — all dates falling within the high-demand May Day holiday window. As recently as April 17, promotional materials had highlighted her “soulful, hazy, and captivating R&B voice,” building excitement for the tour’s launch in the capital. The unusual reasoning behind the cancellation quickly sparked discussion online, with some netizens questioning the validity of the explanation while others expressed sympathy for the logistical and personal hurdles involved. The incident has drawn attention to the growing complexities artists face when touring internationally during major holiday periods, particularly in regions where transportation infrastructure faces extreme strain.