The 2025 Global Citizen Festival brought together more than 60,000 people on the Great Lawn of Central Park for a day of music and action, featuring a star-studded lineup that included Shakira, Cardi B, ROSÉ, Rema, Ayra Starr, Mariah the Scientist, Tyla, Camilo and Elyanna.
In addition to the music, the festival shone a light on critical global issues, with commitments to fight poverty, promote sustainability, and drive education initiatives worldwide. Major announcements unveiled to bring clean energy to 4.6 million homes in Africa, protect 25 million hectares in the Amazon, and fund education initiatives for children across 200 communities globally, according to a statement shared with Billboard.
“The Global Citizen Festival is about the collective impact of our artists, global citizens, private sector leaders, and government officials to defeat extreme poverty. Together, this year’s campaign has broken all action-taking records,” Hugh Evans, co-founder and CEO of Global Citizen, said in a press release. “We’re proud to celebrate the achievements of this evening, but the work to end extreme poverty doesn’t stop here. As our movement grows, from Central Park to the Amazon Basin and the G20, Global Citizen will continue to drive action towards achieving our mission.”
From Rema and Ayra Starr’s surprise collaborations to unforgettable headlining moments from Shakira, Cardi B and Tyla, the festival celebrated the global impact of its mission and the cultural diversity of its performers.
Check out the best moments below, in no particular order. (Plus, you can also watch the Global Citizen 2025 in its entirely on this YouTube link here.)
Shakira’s She-Wolf Transformation
Image Credit: Theo Wargo/Getty Images for Global Citizen Trending on Billboard
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}Kicking off her headlining set with her seminal hit “She Wolf,” Shakira captivated the Global Citizen crowd with an explosive entrance, introducing the “10 Commandments of the She-Wolf” and featuring a jaw-dropping visual that saw her morph between human and wolf. The Colombian superstar then kept the energy roaring with a mix of classic hits and empowering new tracks, reminding everyone why she’s a pop culture icon.
Cardi B’s Pregnancy Power Flex
Image Credit: Taylor Hill/Getty Images Trending on Billboard
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}Cardi B brought boss energy — and an unmistakable Bronx swagger — despite being heavily pregnant. Opening her set with “Outside” from her brand new album Am I the Drama? (ErrTime Edition), Cardi cranked up the energy surrounded by dynamic dancers. In a power move, she tossed her leather biker crop top into the audience with the unapologetic declaration, “I’m hot AF up here.” Closing her very quick set with “I Like It,” Cardi left everyone wanting more.
ROSÉ Brings Fairy Vibes
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}ROSÉ, BLACKPINK’s luminous vocalist and guitarist, enchanted the audience with a dreamy, stripped-down set that blended indie-rock aesthetics and pop polish. Sporting platinum blonde hair, and a floey pinkish dress — standing under a canopy of lights — her emotional vocals on fan favorites like “On The Ground” struck a chord with the crowd. Her ethereal performance showed a softer, yet powerful, side of the festival lineup.
Afrobeats Takeover With Rema & Ayra Starr
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}Afrobeats took over the festival when Ayra Starr and Nigerian superstar Rema joined forces for a surprise appearance. Together, they performed “Baby (Is it a Crime),” with Starr filling in for Sade’s part. They also sang “Calm Down.” But the highlight came when they asked the audience to turn on their phone flashlights, creating a breathtaking sea of light across Central Park.
Earlier that day, Ayra Starr delivered her solo energetic set that featured stunning choreography that kept the crowd engaged, while her wardrobe — a stylish ensemble of cute white shorts, a matching top, classic Tims, and gold chain accents — added a touch of effortless cool to her overall look.
Tyla Doubles Down on Breakout Banger ‘Water’
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}South African star Tyla stole the show with her performance of “Water,” transforming Central Park into a lively dance floor. When her set was briefly interrupted to attend to a fest-goer in need of help, Tyla paused to ensure everyone was okay. She then asked the audience if they wanted her to restart the song — and, of course, they enthusiastically agreed. Performing the track twice, she captivated the crowd with her energy and charm. Sporting knee-high Converse shoes and her signature casual-cool style, she solidified her status as a rising star to watch.
Camilo’s Love-Fueled Serenade
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}Colombian pop crooner Camilo brought warmth and joy to the festival with his breezy acoustic set. Dressed in a mustard knitted shirt and baggy jeans adorned with cloud patches, he delivered fan favorites like “Tutu” and “Vida de Rico,” blending pop-optimism with tropical sounds. Leading the crowd to clap to the irresistible rhythms of “Agua Salada,” Camilo’s performance was a heartfelt tribute to his roots and his global fans. He later surprised the crowd by bringing out his wife Evaluna, sweeping her off her feet — literally — as he carried her on stage, much to the audience’s delight!
Mariah the Scientist Channels Military Chic
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}Mariah the Scientist arrived to the Global Citizen stage donning a bold military-inspired look — a green helmet, short shorts, a bullet chain draped across her chest, and a sparkly fuchsia mic. The Atlanta-born R&B star treated the crowd to her sultry vocals with songs like the tender “Spread Thin,” showcasing her emotional depth. Her unique blend of vintage R&B vibes and futuristic visuals made her set a standout moment of the night.
