Nick Jonas replaces Iggy Azalea at Pittsburgh Pride

Singer and sex symbol Nick Jonas will perform at this Saturday’s Pittsburgh Pride, after original headliner Iggy Azalea pulled out over past homophobic comments.

“When I heard about the difficult position Pittsburgh Pride was in just days before their event, I knew I had to find a way to help,” Jonas said in a statement.

“I’m excited to do what I can to support the LGBT community in Pittsburgh, and I look forward to seeing you this Saturday as we celebrate together,” he added.

Azalea announced on Monday she would no longer perform at the event after members of Pittsburgh’s LGBT community were outraged by her 2010 comments in which she use the terms “homo” and “dyke bitches”.

The rapper said she deeply regretted making the comments and agreed that her performing “would only serve to further distract from the true purpose of the event.”

Jonas, 22, has been actively promoting his solo music career to the gay community and last year made a number of surprise appearances at gay clubs in New York City.

He is also making waves playing a gay martial arts fighter on the US TV drama series Kingdom.

“I’ve really been trying to make an effort to talk with my gay fan base and find unique opportunities to set up the next chapter of my life and my career with them in it,” Jonas told BuzzFeed in December.