Zoë M. Federoff has officially announced her departure from CRADLE OF FILTH.
Yesterday 33-year-old Zoë Federoff — who became CRADLE OF FILTH’s female vocalist and keyboardist in 2022 — shared the following statement on social media: “It is with deep regret I share that for personal reasons I am unable to continue this tour and continue in general with CRADLE OF FILTH.
“Please respect my privacy and my family’s privacy. I will answer no further questions. Be kind to my successor. I wish her and my now former bandmates well.
“At least, like Roy Khan said over a decade ago, God was there after all.
“Yours, Zoe”.
CRADLE OF FILTH launched a 13-show Latin American tour on August 21 in Limeira, Brazil, and played in São Paulo on Saturday, August 23. The next stop is Buenos Aires, Argentina, where they are set to perform tonight (Sunday, August 24).
Earlier this year, in January, Federoff tied the knot with CRADLE OF FILTH guitarist Marek “Ashok” Šmerda in her hometown of Tucson, Arizona.
Meanwhile, CRADLE OF FILTH leader/frontman Dani Filth took to the band’s social media to write: “Hello Filthlings, a strange turn of events have manifested out here on tour for CRADLE OF FILTH in South America. Our keyboardist/backing singer Zoe Smerda has chosen to leave the band mid-tour, effective immediately.
We, of course, wish her all the best for the future and we as a band will continue onward and upward as always with a replacement singer here in Kelsey Peters, one of the very talented CREWDLE members.
“In life, one cannot always foresee what the future holds for us, but we will remain ever-professional and continue on with ‘The Screaming Of The Americas’ concerts for our fans without allowing any of this to sully our onward trajectory.
“So, our South and Central American brethren, we will see you at the next spat of relentless shows.
“The shows have already been incredible in Brazil and we are just so exceptionally appreciative of your massive and passionate attendance, my friends and fiends alike.
“Long live the FILTH!”
A couple of hours after sharing her initial post, Federoff returned to her social media to write a follow-up message. She wrote: “Couple clarifying points since so many people decided to speculate in the nastiest possible ways.
“- Ashok isn’t cheating. While the turmoil of being in the band has taken its toll on us, we remain very much certain that we love each other. Please be kind to my husband. He is a good man.
“- We were already planning to leave the band later this year. Certain events have sped that up for me.
“At this time there is nothing further I wish to clarify and I’d appreciate keeping the ugly rumors off my page and out of my inbox.
“Please enjoy the remaining shows on this tour and give a lot of love to Kelsey, who is one of the greatest singers I’ve ever been privileged to hear. You’ll love her.”
