San Francisco, August 18, 2025 — Bay Area musician Michael Franti, celebrated for his uplifting anthems, has been embroiled in controversy after allegations of grooming made by singer Victoria Canal triggered the cancellation of the Soulshine at Sea cruise. Franti strongly denies any nonconsensual behavior.
Canal, 27, took to Instagram accusing a “powerful, decades-older” touring artist of grooming her when she was 19, alleging inappropriate touching and coercion. While she did not name the artist, public context and statements suggest Franti is the individual in question.
In response, Franti admitted via Instagram to a consensual romantic relationship with a younger musician seven years ago, expressing remorse for the power imbalance and apologizing to his wife, but firmly denied any wrongdoing.
Following the allegations, multiple performers withdrew from Soulshine at Sea, prompting the event’s cancellation. Franti had recently headlined Stern Grove in San Francisco, a venue he often refers to as his creative home.
Canal, who spent years grappling privately with her trauma, explained she did not name Franti due to emotional and legal strain, but felt compelled to speak out now as part of her healing and to shine a light on abusive structures in the music industry.