Keli Holiday forced to fly home after US authorities revoke visa mid-tour

Aussie muso Keli Holiday has been forced to return home early after being refused re-entry into the US midway through his tour.

Australian musician Keli Holiday has been forced to return home early after he was refused re-entry into the US midway through his North America tour.

The Dancing2 singer was set to perform four shows in the US and Canada between May 1 and 7. But after his shows in Toronto, Holiday was detained at the US-Canadian border and denied re-entry for his final show in New York City.

Ticketholders were notified the show was cancelled.

Holiday said no official reason was given as to why he was refused re-entry to the US. It is understood his entire touring party had their visas revoked.

Aussie musician Keli Holiday said he was “gutted” by the decision. Picture: Supplied
Holiday took to Instagram over the weekend to post a short statement to fans.

“Hello stunnas, unfortunately I’m not going to make it to tonight’s show at Baby’s All Right in NYC,” he said.

“I have spent all day detained at the Canadian border and denied entry back into the US despite having the proper visa documentation in place. I’m still trying to get clarity on the situation myself.”

Keli Holiday (real name Adam Hyde) in Canberra earlier this year. Picture: NewsWire / Martin Ollman

Holiday shared a message with his followers. Picture: Instagram
Holiday said the decision had left him “gutted”. “I hate letting people down and to be honest really wanted to party with you all,” he said.

“Thank you for all the support and patience while I figured this out.”

A representative for Holiday confirmed he was now back in Australia preparing for the next leg of his tour, with shows across NSW and Victoria starting on Thursday.

Keli Holiday and girlfriend Abbie Chatfield pose during the ‘The Golden Bachelor’ screening in Sydney. Picture: Don Arnold/WireImage

Keli Holiday is the indie-pop alias of Adam Hyde, one-half of the Australian duo Peking Duk. Picture: Supplied
Fans took to the comments to show their support:

“America doesn’t deserve you and Australia is thrilled to have you back,” one posted.

“We cannot wait to have you back,” another wrote.

“Please come back to Baby’s All Right!!! I was so ready for you!!!”

Australians had been bracing for intensified scrutiny at the American border after President Donald Trump announced plans to overhaul entry to the US last year, which would include forcing tourists to hand over five years of their social media history to border officials.

The measure, part of a tightening of the Electronic System for Travel Authorisation (ETSA) system, would target travellers from 42 visa-exempt countries, including Australia and New Zealand.

It led to Australian travellers admitting they felt “scared” and “nervous” their personal information could see them refused entry to the US.

Holiday’s partner Abbie Chatfield is a vocal and frequent critic of Mr Trump.