Cradle of Filth keyboardist and backing singer Zoë M. Federoff has announced her departure from the band during their South American tour. The announcement was reported on her Instagram account.
Federoff shared her decision to leave in a social media statement. She cited personal reasons for her inability to continue with the tour and the band.
“It is with deep regret that I share that for personal reasons I am unable to continue this tour and continue in general with Cradle of Filth,” she said. “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.”
Band frontman Dani Filth responded to the departure with his own statement addressing fans directly.
“Hello Filthlings, A strange turn of events have manifested out here on tour for CRADLE OF FILTH in South America,” Filth said. “Our keyboardist/backing singer Zoe Smerda has chosen to leave the band mid-tour, effective immediately.”
Filth emphasized the band’s commitment to continuing their tour despite the unexpected change.
“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,” he continued. “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.”
The departure comes during a crucial period for the British extreme metal band. They are navigating an extensive touring schedule across multiple continents.
The band’s official website revealed that “The Screaming of the Americas” tour includes key dates throughout August and September in major South American cities such as São Paulo, Buenos Aires, and Santiago. The tour represents a significant undertaking for the band. It marks their return to the region after several years.
Metal Temple reported that the band is supported by the act Uada on many of these dates. This creates a comprehensive extreme metal experience for fans across the continent. The collaboration adds another layer of complexity to the tour logistics. This makes Federoff’s sudden departure particularly challenging for the production.
This South American run serves as part of Cradle of Filth’s busy 2025 touring schedule. Impericon noted that the band has upcoming European summer shows and a co-headlining US tour planned for mid-2025. This demonstrates their commitment to maintaining an active touring presence despite the current setback.
The band has already secured replacement vocalist Kelsey Peters from their crew members. This allows them to continue the remaining South and Central American dates without cancellation. This quick response reflects the professional approach Filth mentioned in his statement. It ensures fans won’t be disappointed by the unexpected personnel change.
